The main ways to fund a Fidelity account

You can add money to a Fidelity account through a bank transfer, a check deposit, a wire transfer, or a transfer from another brokerage. The method you choose depends on how quickly you need the money to arrive and whether you're moving existing investments or adding new cash.

Bank transfers are the most common route for most people. Wire transfers arrive faster but usually cost a fee. Check deposits work if you have a physical check but take longer to clear. Transfers from another brokerage let you move existing investments without selling them first.

Each method has different processing times and requirements. Some are free; others charge a fee. The account type you hold — whether it's a brokerage account, an IRA, or a 401(k) — may limit which methods are available to you.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank transfers from your checking or savings account are free and usually take one to three business days to arrive in your Fidelity account.
  • Wire transfers arrive the same day or next business day but typically cost $15 to $25 per transfer.
  • Check deposits can take five to seven business days to clear and require you to photograph or mail the check through Fidelity's mobile app or website.
  • Transfers from another brokerage move your existing investments without forcing you to sell, though the process can take five to ten business days.
  • Your account type determines which funding methods are available — some retirement accounts have restrictions that brokerage accounts do not.

Bank transfers: the standard method

A bank transfer (also called an ACH transfer) moves money from your bank account directly to Fidelity. You set this up through Fidelity's website or mobile app by linking your bank account. Fidelity will ask for your bank's routing number and your account number, both of which appear on the bottom left of your checks.

The first time you link a bank account, Fidelity deposits two small amounts — usually under $1 each — into that account within one to two business days. You then confirm those amounts in the Fidelity app to verify you own the account. This verification step protects against fraud but adds a day or two to the process.

Once your bank account is verified, transfers are free and typically arrive within one to three business days. Fidelity processes transfers on business days only, so a transfer initiated on Friday may not arrive until Tuesday. You can set up recurring transfers if you want to add money on a regular schedule.

Some banks impose their own limits on how much you can transfer in a single day or per month. Check with your bank if you're moving a large amount.

Wire transfers: fastest but with a cost

A wire transfer sends money from your bank directly to Fidelity and usually arrives the same business day or the next morning. Wire transfers bypass the verification step that ACH transfers require, which is why they're faster.

To wire money to Fidelity, you'll need Fidelity's wire instructions, which include the bank name, routing number, and your account number. You can find these in the Fidelity app under "Transfer & Pay" or by calling Fidelity's customer service line. Provide these details to your bank, and your bank will initiate the wire.

Most banks charge $15 to $25 per outgoing wire transfer. Some banks charge more. Fidelity does not charge a fee to receive a wire. Once the wire arrives at Fidelity, the money is available when ready for trading.

Wire transfers are one-way — you cannot reverse a wire once it leaves your bank. Make sure the account number and routing number are correct before you authorize the transfer.

Check deposits through the mobile app

If you have a paper check, you can deposit it into your Fidelity account using the mobile app's check deposit feature. Open the Fidelity app, go to "Transfer & Pay," select "Deposit a Check," and photograph the front and back of the check. The app will read the check details automatically.

Fidelity typically makes the first $5,000 of a check deposit available within one business day and the remainder within five business days. Older checks or checks from certain banks may take longer. Once the check clears, the money is yours to trade with.

You do not need to mail the physical check to Fidelity after you photograph it, though some banks may ask you to write "Deposited with Fidelity" on the back and keep it for your records. Check with Fidelity's terms if you're unsure.

Transfers from another brokerage

If you hold investments at another brokerage — such as Charles Schwab, E-Trade, or Vanguard — you can move them to Fidelity without selling them first. This is called an ACAT transfer (Automated Customer Account Transfer). You keep the same investments; only the custodian changes.

To start an ACAT transfer, log into your Fidelity account and go to "Transfer & Pay." Select "Transfer Investments" and choose the brokerage you're transferring from. Fidelity will walk you through providing your account details at the other firm. You do not need to contact the other brokerage directly — Fidelity handles the request on your behalf.

ACAT transfers typically take five to ten business days. During that time, your investments remain invested and continue to change in value. You cannot trade at either brokerage while the transfer is in progress. Some brokerages charge an outgoing transfer fee of $50 to $100; Fidelity does not charge to receive a transfer.

If you want to move cash rather than investments, you can withdraw the cash from the other brokerage and then use a bank transfer or wire to send it to Fidelity.

Funding retirement accounts and special account types

Retirement accounts like IRAs and Roth IRAs can be funded through bank transfers, wire transfers, and check deposits, but not through brokerage transfers. If you want to move an IRA from another firm to Fidelity, you'll need to do a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer, which is different from an ACAT transfer. Contact Fidelity's IRA team for instructions.

401(k) accounts and other employer-sponsored plans cannot be funded directly by you — contributions come through your employer's payroll system. If you've left a job and have an old 401(k), you can roll it into a Fidelity IRA using a direct rollover, which works similarly to an ACAT transfer.

Some Fidelity accounts have contribution limits set by the IRS. For example, IRAs have annual contribution limits that vary by age and income. Make sure you understand your account's limits before you transfer money in.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take money to show up in my Fidelity account?

Bank transfers take one to three business days after you initiate them. Wire transfers arrive the same day or next business day. Check deposits make the first $5,000 available within one business day and the rest within five business days. Transfers from another brokerage take five to ten business days.

Do I have to pay a fee to add money to Fidelity?

Bank transfers and check deposits are free. Wire transfers cost $15 to $25, depending on your bank. Some brokerages charge a fee to send investments to Fidelity, but Fidelity itself does not charge to receive transfers.

Can I add money to my Fidelity account on weekends?

You can initiate a transfer on weekends through the Fidelity app or website, but Fidelity processes transfers only on business days. A transfer started on Saturday will not begin processing until Monday.

What if I link the wrong bank account by mistake?

You can remove a linked bank account from your Fidelity profile at any time. Go to "Account Settings," find the linked account, and delete it. If you've already initiated a transfer to the wrong account, contact Fidelity's customer service when ready to see if the transfer can be stopped before it processes.

Can I transfer money from a joint bank account to my Fidelity account?

Yes, as long as your name appears on the joint account. Fidelity will verify the account during the linking process. If the account is in someone else's name only, you cannot link it directly to your Fidelity account.