Truist was formed in 2019 when BB&T and SunTrust merged into a single bank

Truist did not exist before December 2019. The bank you know today was created when BB&T Corporation and SunTrust Banks combined their operations into one company. Before that merger, these were two separate regional banks with their own histories, branches, and customer bases. If you had a BB&T or SunTrust account before late 2019, you were banking with one of those two institutions, not Truist.

The merger was announced in February 2019 and completed in December of that year. During the transition period, both banks continued operating under their own names while the legal and technical work happened behind the scenes. By early 2020, most customer-facing systems had switched over to the Truist name and branding, though some branches took longer to fully transition.

Key Takeaways

  • Truist was created on December 6, 2019, when BB&T and SunTrust merged into a single holding company.
  • BB&T was headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and SunTrust was headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, before the merger.
  • Both banks continued operating under their original names for several months after the merger was announced, with the full transition to Truist branding completed by early 2020.
  • If you opened an account with BB&T or SunTrust before December 2019, your account was transferred to Truist as part of the merger.

BB&T: The North Carolina-based predecessor

BB&T Corporation was the older of the two banks. It was founded in 1872 in Wilson, North Carolina, as Branch Banking and Trust Company. By the time of the 2019 merger, BB&T had grown into a major regional bank with branches across the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and parts of the Midwest. The bank was known for retail banking, commercial lending, and wealth management services.

BB&T's headquarters remained in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, throughout its history. The bank had built a strong presence in smaller cities and towns across the Southeast, not just major metropolitan areas. When the merger with SunTrust was announced, BB&T had roughly 1,700 branches and millions of customers across multiple states.

SunTrust: The Atlanta-based predecessor

SunTrust Banks was founded in 1891 in Atlanta, Georgia, originally as The Lowry National Bank. Like BB&T, it grew into a major regional bank over more than a century of operation. SunTrust had a particularly strong presence in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas, with branches also in other southeastern states and some areas beyond the region.

SunTrust was headquartered in Atlanta and was known for retail banking, commercial banking, and investment services. The bank had roughly 1,500 branches at the time the merger was announced. SunTrust and BB&T had overlapping service areas in several states, which meant some customers had access to both banks' branches in their communities.

Why these two banks merged

Banks merge for several reasons, and the BB&T and SunTrust combination was driven by industry trends. Larger banks can spread their costs across more customers, invest more in technology, and compete more effectively with national giants like Bank of America and Wells Fargo. Both BB&T and SunTrust were strong regional players, but combining them created a bank with more scale and resources.

The merger also allowed the combined bank to reduce duplicate operations. When two banks serve overlapping areas, they often have redundant branches, back-office staff, and technology systems. Consolidating these functions saves money, which can be reinvested in customer services or passed along as better rates and lower fees.

What changed for customers after the merger

If you had an account with BB&T or SunTrust before the merger, your account did not close. Instead, it was transferred to Truist. Your account number, balance, and account history remained the same. However, you would have received new debit cards, checks, and online banking credentials with the Truist name and branding.

Some customers found that branch locations changed. In areas where BB&T and SunTrust had branches very close to each other, Truist consolidated them into a single location. This meant some customers lost their nearest branch, while others gained access to more branches than they had before. Truist also worked to integrate the two banks' technology systems, which took time and sometimes caused temporary disruptions to online banking or mobile apps.

How to find your account history if you banked with BB&T or SunTrust

Your Truist account today contains the full history of your BB&T or SunTrust account. When you log into Truist online banking or call customer service, you can see all transactions and statements going back to when you opened the account, even if it was under the old bank's name. Truist kept all customer records intact during the merger.

If you need statements or documentation from before the merger, Truist can provide them. You can request old statements through online banking, by calling Truist customer service, or by visiting a branch. There is no time limit on how far back you can request statements, though very old statements may take longer to retrieve from archives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did my BB&T or SunTrust account close when Truist was created?

No. Your account was transferred to Truist automatically. You did not need to do anything. Your account number, balance, and transaction history all moved with you to Truist. You received new cards and checks with the Truist name, but the account itself remained open and active.

Can I still use my old BB&T or SunTrust debit card after the merger?

No. Truist issued new debit cards with the Truist branding to all customers. The old cards stopped working once the new ones were activated. Truist mailed the new cards to customers before the old ones expired, so there was a window to use both.

Where can I find old statements from when I banked with BB&T or SunTrust?

Log into your Truist online banking account and look for the statements or history section. You can view and read statements from your entire account history, including the years before the merger. If you need help, Truist customer service can retrieve older statements or send them to you by mail.

Did Truist keep the same interest rates and fees after the merger?

Rates and fees may have changed during the merger transition. Truist reviewed all accounts and products as part of the integration. Some customers saw better rates or lower fees, while others saw changes in the opposite direction. Check your current account terms or contact Truist to understand what applies to your account now.

Is Truist the same as BB&T or SunTrust?

Truist is a new company created from the merger of BB&T and SunTrust. It is not the same as either predecessor bank, though it inherited their customers, branches, and assets. Truist operates as a single bank with one brand, one set of policies, and one technology platform, rather than two separate banks.