The fastest way to fund your Fidelity account

You can move money into a Fidelity account through a bank transfer, wire transfer, check deposit, or by rolling over funds from another retirement account. The method you choose depends on how quickly you need the money available and whether you're funding a brokerage account, retirement account, or both.

Bank transfers (also called ACH transfers) are the most common route and take three to five business days. Wire transfers arrive the same day or next business day but cost $15 to $25. If you're moving money from an existing retirement account at another institution, a rollover avoids taxes and penalties but requires paperwork specific to the account type.

Key Takeaways

  • ACH bank transfers are free and take three to five business days; wire transfers cost $15 to $25 but arrive same-day or next-day.
  • You'll need your Fidelity account number and routing number to set up a transfer from your bank, or you can initiate the transfer from within your Fidelity account.
  • Rollovers from 401(k)s, IRAs, and other retirement accounts have different rules depending on the account type and whether you do a direct rollover or indirect rollover.
  • Mobile check deposit works for amounts under $50,000 and clears in one to two business days.
  • Fidelity does not charge fees to receive money, but your bank may charge an outgoing wire fee.

Setting up an ACH transfer from your bank

Log into your bank's website or app and look for "Transfer Funds" or "Add External Account." You'll enter Fidelity's routing number (021000021 for most Fidelity accounts) and your Fidelity account number. Your bank will then send a small test deposit—usually $0.01 to $0.99—to verify the account is real. Once you confirm the test amount in your Fidelity account, the link is active and you can transfer money.

The first transfer typically takes five to seven business days because your bank holds it for verification. After that, transfers take three to five business days. There is no fee from Fidelity, though some banks charge for outgoing transfers. You can also initiate the transfer directly from Fidelity by logging in, going to "Accounts," selecting "Transfers," and choosing "Link Bank Account."

Using a wire transfer for same-day funding

Wire transfers move money the same business day or next business day, making them the fastest option if you need to invest immediately. You'll contact your bank and provide them with Fidelity's wire instructions: the routing number (021000021), the bank name (Fidelity Bank), and your Fidelity account number. Most banks charge $15 to $25 to send a wire.

Wires are irreversible once sent, so confirm all account details before authorizing the transfer. If you send a wire after your bank's cutoff time (usually 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. Eastern), it will process the next business day. Fidelity receives wires during business hours Monday through Friday and posts them to your account the same day or by the next morning.

Rolling over retirement accounts from other institutions

If you're moving money from a 401(k), traditional IRA, Roth IRA, or SEP-IRA at another financial institution, a rollover lets you transfer the funds without triggering taxes or early withdrawal penalties. The rules differ by account type, and the wrong move can result in a taxable event.

A direct rollover is the safest route: the old institution sends the money directly to Fidelity in your name. You never touch the money, so there are no tax withholding issues. A indirect rollover means the old institution sends you a check, and you deposit it into Fidelity within 60 days. If you miss the 60-day window, the IRS treats it as a withdrawal and you owe taxes plus a 10% penalty if you're under 59½.

Contact your current provider and ask for a rollover form or direct rollover request. Fidelity can also initiate the rollover on your behalf—log into your account, go to "Accounts," select "Transfers," and choose "Rollover." You'll need the account number and institution name of the account you're rolling from.

Depositing checks through the mobile app

Fidelity's mobile check deposit feature lets you photograph the front and back of a check and deposit it without visiting a branch or mailing it. The limit is usually $50,000 per check and $250,000 per day. The check clears in one to two business days.

Open the Fidelity app, go to "Accounts," select the account you want to fund, and tap "Deposit Check." Take clear photos of both sides of the check in good lighting. The app will read the check amount and routing number automatically. After you submit, the funds are held as pending until the check clears. Do not deposit the physical check elsewhere once you've submitted it digitally—that's check fraud.

Transferring money between your own Fidelity accounts

If you already have money in one Fidelity account and want to move it to another Fidelity account you own, the transfer is instant and free. Log into your account, go to "Accounts," select "Transfers," and choose "Between My Accounts." Select the source account, the destination account, and the amount. The money moves immediately and is available to trade or invest right away.

This is useful if you have a brokerage account and a retirement account at Fidelity and want to consolidate funds or move money from savings into an investment account. There are no fees or waiting periods.

What happens if your transfer is delayed or rejected

ACH transfers occasionally fail if the account number or routing number is wrong, if your bank account is closed, or if there are insufficient funds. Fidelity will notify you by email or in your account dashboard if a transfer fails. You'll need to correct the information and try again.

Wire transfers are harder to reverse once sent. If you wire money to the wrong account by mistake, contact Fidelity immediately—they can sometimes recall the wire within a few hours, but success depends on whether the receiving bank has already released the funds. After that window closes, recovery is nearly impossible.

If a transfer is taking longer than expected, check your Fidelity account dashboard under "Transfers" to see the status. ACH transfers can take up to seven business days if your bank is slow to process. If it's been longer than that, contact Fidelity customer service with your transfer confirmation number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer money from a savings account at a different bank?

Yes. Set up an ACH transfer by logging into your bank's website and linking your Fidelity account, or initiate it from Fidelity by providing your bank's routing number and your account number. The first transfer takes five to seven days; after that, three to five days.

Is there a minimum amount I have to deposit?

Fidelity has no stated minimum for ACH transfers or wire transfers. Some investment products (like mutual funds) have minimums of $1,000 or $2,500, but the deposit itself can be any amount. Check the specific investment you're buying to see if it has a minimum.

What if I need to fund my account before the market opens tomorrow?

Wire transfer is your only option for same-day or next-morning funding. ACH transfers take at least three business days. Call your bank to send a wire before their cutoff time (usually 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. Eastern). Expect to pay $15 to $25 in wire fees.

Do I pay taxes on money I deposit into my Fidelity account?

No. Depositing money is not a taxable event—you're moving your own money, not earning income. Taxes apply only when you sell investments at a gain or withdraw money from a retirement account. Rollovers from retirement accounts are also tax-free if done correctly.

Can I set up automatic deposits to my Fidelity account?

Yes. Once you've linked your bank account through ACH, you can set up recurring transfers on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly schedule. Go to "Accounts," select "Transfers," choose your linked bank account, and set the frequency and amount. This is useful for dollar-cost averaging into investments.