Moving money between bank accounts is a common necessity, whether it's for paying bills, transferring funds to family, or managing your finances across different institutions. If you're a Truist customer and need to send money to an account at another bank, you're in the right place! This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process, ensuring a smooth and successful transfer.
Ready to take control of your money movement? Let's dive in!
How Can I Transfer Money from Truist to Another Bank? A Step-by-Step Guide
Transferring money from your Truist account to another bank is generally a straightforward process, thanks to various convenient methods offered by modern banking. The most common ways to do this include using online banking, the mobile app, Zelle, or even wire transfers for larger or international sums. We'll break down each method so you can choose the one that best fits your needs.
Step 1: Determine Your Transfer Method and Gather Information
Before you even log into your Truist account, it's crucial to decide how you want to transfer the money and gather all the necessary details for the receiving bank. This initial step will save you time and prevent potential errors.
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What's your preferred method?
- Online Banking/Mobile App (ACH Transfer): This is typically the most common and often free or low-cost method for transferring funds electronically between banks. It's great for regular transfers, but takes a few business days.
- Zelle: Ideal for fast transfers to people you trust, usually within minutes. Both the sender and receiver need to be enrolled in Zelle through their respective banks.
- Wire Transfer: Best for large, time-sensitive, or international transfers. Wire transfers are faster but usually come with higher fees.
- Physical Check: A traditional method, slower and less convenient, but an option if digital methods aren't suitable.
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Information You'll Need for the Recipient Bank: Regardless of the method, you'll almost always need the following:
- Recipient's Full Name (as it appears on their bank account)
- Recipient's Bank Name
- Recipient's Account Number
- Recipient's Bank Routing Number (This is a 9-digit number that identifies the bank. Be careful to get the correct one for ACH vs. Wire if applicable).
Pro-Tip: Double-check these details with the recipient to ensure accuracy. A single wrong digit can delay or misdirect your transfer!
Step 2: Linking an External Account (For ACH Transfers)
If you plan to make regular transfers to the same external bank account using ACH, linking the account beforehand is the most efficient approach. This typically involves a verification process.
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Sub-heading: Accessing External Account Management
- Log In to Truist Online Banking: Go to the official Truist website (Truist.com) and log in to your online banking account.
- Navigate to Transfers/Payments: Look for a section or tab labeled "Transfer & Pay," "Transfers," or "Payments." The exact wording might vary slightly.
- Find "Manage External Accounts": Within the transfer or payment section, you should see an option to "Manage external accounts" or "Add non-Truist account."
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Sub-heading: Adding and Verifying the External Account
- Click "Add non-Truist account": This will prompt you to enter the details of the external account.
- Enter Account Details: Carefully input the Account Type (Checking or Savings), Routing Number, and Account Number of the external bank account.
- Initiate Verification Deposits: Truist will typically send two small "micro-deposits" (usually a few cents) to the external account within 1-3 business days.
- Verify the Deposits: Once you see these small deposits in the external account, log back into your Truist online banking or mobile app. Go back to the "Manage external accounts" section and enter the exact amounts of the two micro-deposits to confirm ownership.
- Account Linked: After successful verification, the external account will be linked and ready for transfers.
Step 3: Initiating Your Transfer
Now that you've gathered your information and potentially linked the external account, it's time to send the money!
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Sub-heading: Option A: ACH Transfer via Online Banking/Mobile App
- Log In: Access your Truist online banking or open the Truist mobile app.
- Go to "Transfer & Pay": Select the "Transfer & Pay" or similar option.
- Select "Transfer money": Choose the option to transfer money between accounts.
- Choose Accounts: Select your Truist account as the "From" account and the linked external account as the "To" account. If you haven't linked it, you might have an option to enter the details directly for a one-time transfer, but linking is generally preferred for security and convenience.
- Enter Amount and Date: Input the amount you wish to transfer and the effective date for the transfer. You can often schedule one-time or recurring transfers.
- Review and Confirm: Carefully review all the details – the amount, recipient, and account numbers. Once you're certain everything is correct, confirm the transfer.
- Confirmation: You'll receive a confirmation message. Keep this for your records. ACH transfers typically take 1-3 business days to process and for the funds to become available in the recipient account.
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Sub-heading: Option B: Sending Money with Zelle
- Enroll in Zelle (if not already): If you haven't used Zelle with Truist before, you'll need to enroll through your online banking or mobile app. This involves linking your Truist checking or savings account to your email address or U.S. mobile number.
- Go to "Send Money with Zelle®": Within the Truist app or online banking, find the "Transfer & Pay" section and select "Send Money with Zelle®."
- Select/Add Recipient: You can choose a recipient from your existing contacts (if they're also enrolled with Zelle) or add a new recipient using their email address or U.S. mobile number.
- Enter Amount: Input the amount you wish to send.
- Add an Optional Note: You can add a memo for the transfer.
- Review and Send: Double-check the recipient's information and the amount. Since Zelle transfers are often immediate, there's no way to cancel once sent to an enrolled user.
- Confirmation: You'll receive confirmation, and the recipient will typically receive the funds within minutes if they are already enrolled with Zelle.
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Sub-heading: Option C: Initiating a Wire Transfer Wire transfers are generally more complex and carry higher fees. They are best for large sums of money or when you need the funds to arrive quickly (often same-day for domestic wires if initiated before the cutoff time, typically 6 PM ET for Truist).
- Gather Extensive Information: For a wire transfer, you'll need:
- Recipient's Full Name and Address
- Recipient's Bank Name and Address
- Recipient's Account Number
- Recipient's Wire Routing Number (This is critical and can be different from the ACH routing number).
- SWIFT/BIC Code (for international wire transfers)
- Reason for the wire transfer (often required for compliance)
- Online Banking (if available for your account type): Some Truist accounts (especially business accounts) allow wire transfers through online banking with enhanced security features. Look for "Wire Transfer" within the "Transfer & Pay" section. You'll fill in all the detailed recipient and bank information.
- Via Phone: You can call Truist customer service (844-4TRUIST or 844-487-8478) and speak to a representative to initiate a wire transfer. They will walk you through the process and confirm all details.
- In Person at a Branch: For the highest level of security and assistance, you can visit a Truist branch. A teller or banker will help you complete the wire transfer form and verify all details.
- Fees and Limits: Be aware of Truist's wire transfer fees (e.g., ~$30 for outgoing domestic wires, ~$65 for outgoing international wires) and daily/rolling limits (e.g., $500,000 rolling 3-business day maximum for wire transfers).
- Gather Extensive Information: For a wire transfer, you'll need:
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Sub-heading: Option D: Sending a Physical Check While less common for direct bank-to-bank transfers, you can always write a check from your Truist account and either mail it to the recipient or provide it to them for deposit at their bank. This method is the slowest and offers the least tracking.
Step 4: Monitoring Your Transfer
After initiating the transfer, it's a good practice to monitor its progress.
- Check Transaction History: Regularly check your Truist account's transaction history in online banking or the mobile app. The transfer will typically show as "pending" initially and then "completed" once processed.
- Communicate with Recipient: If it's a time-sensitive transfer, inform the recipient to also check their bank account for the incoming funds.
- Troubleshooting: If an ACH transfer hasn't appeared within 3-5 business days, or a wire transfer within the expected timeframe, contact Truist customer service with your transaction details.
Important Considerations for All Transfers:
- Security is Paramount: Always ensure you are on the official Truist website or using the official mobile app. Be wary of phishing attempts or suspicious links.
- Fees and Limits: Be aware of any fees associated with your chosen transfer method and any daily or transactional limits imposed by Truist. You can find this information on Truist's website or by contacting customer service.
- Cut-off Times: Transfers initiated after a certain daily cut-off time (e.g., 5 PM ET for ACH, 6 PM ET for wires) will often be processed on the next business day.
- Business Days: Remember that banks only process transactions on business days (Monday to Friday, excluding federal holidays). Transfers initiated on weekends or holidays will be processed on the next business day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about transferring money from Truist to another bank, with quick answers:
How to find my Truist routing number?
You can find your Truist routing number on your checks (usually the first 9 digits at the bottom left), by logging into your online banking or mobile app, on your bank statement, or by calling Truist customer service. The most common routing number is 061000104, but some older BB&T accounts might have state-specific ones.
How to add an external account to Truist online banking?
Log in to Truist online banking, go to "Transfer & Pay," then "Manage external accounts," and click "Add non-Truist account." Enter the external bank's routing and account number, and complete the micro-deposit verification process.
How to send money instantly from Truist?
The fastest way to send money instantly from Truist is by using Zelle. Both you and the recipient must be enrolled in Zelle through your respective banks, and transfers typically complete within minutes.
How to perform a wire transfer from Truist?
You can perform a wire transfer from Truist through their online banking portal (for eligible accounts), by calling Truist customer service, or by visiting a Truist branch. You'll need the recipient's full bank details, including their wire routing number (and SWIFT/BIC for international wires).
How to check the status of my Truist transfer?
You can check the status of your Truist transfer by logging into your online banking or mobile app and reviewing your transaction history. Pending transfers will usually be marked as such before becoming "completed."
How to cancel a transfer from Truist?
ACH transfers can sometimes be canceled if they are still pending and haven't been processed yet. Zelle transfers are generally not cancellable once sent to an enrolled user. Wire transfers are also difficult to cancel once initiated. Contact Truist customer service immediately if you need to attempt a cancellation.
How to find Truist's wire transfer fees and limits?
You can find Truist's wire transfer fees and limits on their official website's fee schedule, within the online banking wire transfer section, or by contacting Truist customer service directly. Outgoing domestic wires are typically around $30 and international around $65, with a common rolling 3-business day maximum of $500,000 for wire transfers.
How to transfer money from Truist to an international bank?
To transfer money internationally from Truist, you will typically need to initiate an international wire transfer. This requires the recipient's bank's SWIFT/BIC code in addition to their account number and bank name/address. Fees for international wires are generally higher.
How to use the Truist mobile app for transfers?
Download and log in to the Truist mobile app. Navigate to the "Transfer & Pay" section. From there, you can choose to transfer between your Truist accounts, send money with Zelle, or transfer to linked external accounts (ACH).
How to get help with a Truist money transfer issue?
If you encounter any issues with your Truist money transfer, you can contact Truist customer service by calling 844-4TRUIST (844-487-8478) during business hours, or visit your nearest Truist branch for in-person assistance.
