The three ways to move money into Fidelity

You can fund a Fidelity account through a bank transfer, a wire transfer, or by mailing a check. Bank transfers (also called ACH transfers) are the slowest but free. Wire transfers arrive the same day but cost money. Checks take the longest and require you to mail them physically. Which one you use depends on how fast you need the money and whether you want to pay a fee.

Before you move any money, you need to know your account number and routing number. You can find both in the Fidelity account statements section or by logging into your account and looking at the transfer details page. Your bank will ask for these numbers to send money out, or Fidelity will ask for your bank details to pull money in.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank transfers (ACH) are free but take three to five business days, while wire transfers arrive the same day for a fee of around $15 to $25.
  • You can initiate transfers from your Fidelity account by linking your bank, or from your bank by providing Fidelity's routing and account numbers.
  • Checks mailed to Fidelity take seven to ten business days to clear and require you to include a deposit slip with your account number.
  • Fidelity holds newly deposited funds for a set period before you can trade with them, typically one to three business days depending on the transfer method.

Bank transfers: free but slower

A bank transfer moves money from your checking or savings account to Fidelity through the ACH network, which is the system banks use to talk to each other. You start by logging into your Fidelity account, going to the Transfer & Pay section, and selecting "Transfer funds". Then you choose "From my bank" and enter your bank's name and your login details. Fidelity will pull up your accounts and let you pick which one to transfer from.

The money usually arrives in three to five business days. Fidelity counts business days as Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. If you initiate a transfer on a Friday afternoon, it will not start moving until Monday, so the timeline stretches. Once the money lands in your Fidelity account, you still cannot trade with it when ready — Fidelity holds it for one to three business days depending on the amount and the source bank.

Bank transfers are free, which makes them the cheapest option if you are not in a hurry. You can set up recurring transfers so money moves automatically on a schedule you choose — weekly, monthly, or on a specific date each month.

Wire transfers: same-day arrival with a cost

A wire transfer moves money directly from your bank to Fidelity in a few hours, usually by early afternoon if you send it before 11 a.m. Eastern time on a business day. To wire money to Fidelity, you call your bank or log into your online banking and request a wire. Your bank will ask you for Fidelity's routing number (which varies by state and account type), your Fidelity account number, and the amount you want to send.

Fidelity charges a wire transfer fee of around $15 to $25, depending on whether you are wiring money in or out. Your bank may also charge a fee on their end, typically $15 to $30. So a single wire can cost you $30 to $55 in fees combined. Once the wire arrives at Fidelity, the money is usually available to trade the same day or the next business day.

Wire transfers make sense when you need to fund an account quickly — for instance, if you want to buy something and the price might change, or if you are moving money before a market important date. For routine deposits, the fees add up fast.

Mailed checks: the slowest method

You can mail a check directly to Fidelity, but this is the slowest way to fund an account. You write a check payable to Fidelity, include a deposit slip with your account number written on it, and mail it to the address Fidelity provides in your account settings. The check takes seven to ten business days to arrive and clear, and Fidelity may hold it for an additional one to three days before the money is available to trade.

This method is rarely the best choice unless you have no other option. It is useful only if you receive a check from someone else and want to deposit it into your Fidelity account rather than your bank first. Even then, you might consider taking a photo of the check and using Fidelity's mobile app to deposit it, which is faster than mailing.

How to link your bank account to Fidelity

Linking your bank account means Fidelity can pull money from it or push money to it without you having to enter your bank login every time. To link an account, log into Fidelity, go to Account Settings, and select "Bank accounts". Click "Link a bank account" and enter your bank's name. Fidelity will either connect directly to your bank (if your bank is in their system) or ask you to verify two small deposits that Fidelity sends to your bank account.

The verification deposits are usually $0.01 and $0.02. They arrive in one to two business days. Once they land, you log back into Fidelity, enter the two amounts, and the link is confirmed. After that, you can transfer money back and forth without re-entering your bank details.

Some banks block third-party connections for security reasons. If Fidelity cannot connect to your bank automatically, you will need to do the verification deposit method instead. This takes longer but works with any bank.

Holds on newly deposited funds

Fidelity does not let you trade with money the moment it arrives. The hold period depends on how you deposited the money and how much you deposited. Bank transfers typically have a one to three business day hold. Wire transfers usually clear the same day or next business day. Checks have a seven to ten business day hold because the check has to physically clear through the banking system.

Large deposits may have longer holds. If you deposit more than $5,000 at once, Fidelity may extend the hold to protect against fraud. You can see the exact hold date in your account under "Pending transactions" or "Account activity". The hold date tells you when the money will be available to trade, not when it arrives in your account.

Moving money from Fidelity back to your bank

The same methods work in reverse. You can initiate a bank transfer from Fidelity to your bank (free, three to five business days), request a wire transfer (costs $15 to $25, same-day or next-day arrival), or ask Fidelity to mail you a check. To start, log into your Fidelity account, go to Transfer & Pay, and select "Transfer funds". Choose "To my bank" and pick the linked bank account you want the money to go to.

If you have not linked a bank account yet, you can add one during the transfer process. Fidelity will ask for your bank routing number and account number, and you will go through the verification deposit process if your bank is not in their system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit cash directly into Fidelity?

No, Fidelity does not accept cash deposits. You must move money from a bank account, wire it, or mail a check. If you have cash, deposit it into your bank account first, then transfer it to Fidelity.

What if I send money to the wrong Fidelity account number?

Contact Fidelity when ready. If the money went to another Fidelity customer's account, Fidelity can sometimes recover it, but the process is slow and not may provide. If it went outside Fidelity entirely, recovery is much harder. Always double-check the account number before you send a wire or large transfer.

Do I have to pay taxes on money I deposit into Fidelity?

No. Depositing money into your account is not a taxable event — you are just moving money you already own. You pay taxes on the gains your investments make, not on the deposits themselves.

How long does a wire transfer actually take?

If you send a wire before 11 a.m. Eastern time on a business day, it usually arrives at Fidelity by early afternoon the same day. Wires sent after 11 a.m. or on weekends and holidays will not process until the next business day.

Can I set up automatic deposits to Fidelity?

Yes, if you use a bank transfer. Once you link your bank account, you can set up recurring transfers on a schedule — weekly, biweekly, monthly, or on a specific date. Wire transfers and checks cannot be automated.