The fastest way to transfer money to Marcus is through an external bank account you already own

You can move money into Marcus from another bank account in two ways: an ACH transfer (which takes one to three business days) or a wire transfer (which arrives the same day or next business day). Both start from your Marcus account dashboard, where you'll add your external bank's details once and then reuse them for future transfers.

The ACH route is free and works with any U.S. bank account in your name. Wire transfers cost money — usually $10 to $15 per transfer — but move faster if you need the funds when ready. Most people use ACH because it's free and the wait is short enough for regular saving.

You cannot transfer directly from a credit card or payment app like Venmo or PayPal. You'll need a checking or savings account at another bank, or you can withdraw cash and deposit it through a different method (though Marcus has no physical branches, so this route is slower).

Key Takeaways

  • ACH transfers from another bank account are free and take one to three business days to land in your Marcus account.
  • Wire transfers cost $10 to $15 but arrive the same or next business day if you need money faster.
  • You set up your external bank account once in the Marcus app or website, then use it for all future transfers.
  • Marcus has no physical branches, so you cannot walk in to deposit cash — transfers must come from another bank account or through a third-party service.

How to set up an ACH transfer from your bank

Log into your Marcus account on the website or mobile app and look for "Transfer Money" or "Move Money" in the main menu. Select "Transfer In" and choose "From Another Bank." Marcus will ask for your external bank's routing number and your account number at that bank — both appear on a check or in your bank's online portal.

Enter those details and give the account a nickname (like "Chase Checking" or "Wells Fargo Savings") so you remember which account it is. Marcus will then send two small test deposits to your external bank account — usually $0.01 and $0.02 — within one to two business days. You'll need to confirm the exact amounts in your Marcus app to verify you own that account.

Once verified, you can transfer money. Go back to "Transfer In," select the bank account you just verified, enter the amount, and confirm. The money will arrive in your Marcus account within one to three business days. You can set up multiple external accounts if you want to transfer from different banks.

Wire transfers for faster deposits

A wire transfer moves money the same day or next business day, but Marcus charges a fee — typically $10 to $15 per wire — and your sending bank may charge a fee on their end too. Wire transfers are best when you need money in your Marcus account urgently and the fee is worth the speed.

To send a wire, you'll contact your external bank directly and give them Marcus's wire instructions. Marcus provides these in your account settings under "Wire Transfer Information." You'll need to provide your Marcus account number, the routing number for Marcus (which is 021000021), and your name as it appears on your Marcus account. Your external bank will handle the rest and charge you their wire fee at the time of transfer.

Wire transfers are final once sent — you cannot cancel them after they leave your bank — so double-check all the details before confirming. If you make a mistake, you'll need to contact Marcus customer service to try to recover the funds, which is not always possible.

Transfers from a third-party payment service

If you don't have a traditional bank account but you use a payment app like PayPal, Square Cash, or Venmo, you have a workaround: link that app to a bank account, transfer the money from the app to that bank account, and then transfer from the bank account to Marcus. This adds extra steps and time, but it works if your only funding source is a payment app.

Some payment apps let you link to Marcus directly, but this varies by app and changes over time. Before trying this route, check whether your payment app lists Marcus as a supported bank. If it does, you can transfer directly. If not, the bank account workaround is your option.

What happens if a transfer fails or takes longer than expected

ACH transfers occasionally fail if the account number or routing number is wrong, or if your external bank flags the transfer as suspicious. If this happens, Marcus will notify you in the app and the money will return to your external bank within a few business days. Check the details you entered and try again.

If an ACH transfer hasn't arrived after three business days, log into your Marcus account and check the transfer status in your transaction history. If it still shows "pending," contact Marcus customer service with the transfer date and amount. They can check with your external bank to see where the money is stuck.

Wire transfers rarely fail, but if one does, contact Marcus when ready with your wire confirmation number from your external bank. Marcus will work with your bank to locate the funds, though recovery can take weeks.

Moving money out of Marcus to another bank

The process for sending money out of Marcus to another bank is similar. In your Marcus account, select "Transfer Money" and choose "Transfer Out." Select the external bank account you want to send to (or add a new one using the same verification process). Enter the amount and confirm.

Outgoing ACH transfers also take one to three business days. You can transfer out as often as you want — Marcus has no limits on how many transfers you can make per month, though your external bank may have its own rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer money to Marcus from a credit card?

No. Marcus only accepts transfers from bank accounts (checking or savings) in your name. You cannot transfer directly from a credit card, debit card, or payment app. If you need to move credit card funds to Marcus, you'd have to withdraw cash or transfer the credit card balance to a bank account first, then transfer from that account to Marcus.

How much money can I transfer to Marcus at once?

Marcus does not publish a single-transfer limit, but your external bank may have one. Check with your bank about their ACH or wire transfer limits. If you're transferring a very large amount, contact Marcus customer service beforehand to make sure there are no holds or delays on your account.

Do I have to verify my bank account every time I transfer?

No. You verify once with the two test deposits, and then you can transfer from that account as many times as you want without re-verifying. If you add a new external bank account, you'll go through the verification process for that account only.

What if I entered the wrong account number when setting up a transfer?

If the account number is wrong, the ACH transfer will fail and the money will return to your Marcus account within a few business days. Delete the incorrect account from your settings and add the correct one, then try the transfer again. For wire transfers, contact Marcus when ready — they may be able to stop the wire before it leaves, but this is not may provide.

Is there a fee to transfer money into Marcus?

ACH transfers are free. Wire transfers cost $10 to $15 through Marcus, and your external bank may charge an additional fee on their end. Check with your bank about their wire transfer fees before sending.