The basic process: Edward Jones to your bank
Edward Jones lets you move money from your brokerage or investment account to a linked bank account through a process called an electronic funds transfer (EFT). You initiate the transfer through your Edward Jones account online or by calling your local branch, the money moves to your bank in 1 to 3 business days, and you pay no fee for the transfer itself.
The catch is that Edward Jones needs to verify your bank account first. If this is your first transfer to that bank, you'll go through a verification step that adds a day or two. After that, future transfers to the same account move faster.
You can transfer from most Edward Jones account types—brokerage accounts, IRAs, 529 plans—but the rules differ slightly depending on what kind of account it is. A regular brokerage account has no restrictions. An IRA or retirement account has rules about how much you can move and when, which we'll cover below.
Key Takeaways
- Link your bank account to Edward Jones first through your online account or by calling your branch; verification takes 1 to 2 business days.
- Once linked, you can request a transfer online (fastest) or by phone; the money arrives in 1 to 3 business days with no fee from Edward Jones.
- If you're transferring from an IRA or retirement account, you may face withdrawal limits, tax withholding, or early withdrawal penalties depending on your age and account type.
- Selling investments before you transfer is your responsibility—Edward Jones will only move cash that's already sitting in your account.
- Keep records of the transfer request and confirmation number in case your bank or Edward Jones needs to trace a delayed or missing transfer.
How to link your bank account to Edward Jones
Before you can move money, Edward Jones needs to know your bank account exists and that you own it. You do this by linking the account, which takes a few minutes online or one phone call.
Online: Log into your Edward Jones account, find the "Transfer Funds" or "Move Money" section (usually under Account or Settings), select "Add Bank Account," and enter your routing number and account number. You can find both on a blank check or by logging into your bank's website. Edward Jones will verify the account by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) into your bank account within 1 to 2 business days. Your bank will show these deposits in your transaction history. You then return to Edward Jones and confirm the two amounts to prove you own the account.
By phone: Call your local Edward Jones branch or the main line and ask to link a bank account for transfers. A representative will walk you through the same verification process. This route is slower because you have to wait for the test deposits and then call back to confirm them, but it works if you prefer not to use the online portal.
Once verified, that bank account stays linked to your Edward Jones account. You won't have to verify it again for future transfers.
Requesting the transfer itself
After your bank account is linked, moving money is straightforward. You decide how much cash to transfer and request it. Edward Jones will not sell your investments for you—you must have the cash sitting in your account already, or you need to sell what you want to move first.
Online transfer: Log in, go to "Transfer Funds" or "Move Money," select your linked bank account, enter the amount, and confirm. You'll get a confirmation number when ready. The transfer typically processes the same day or next business day and arrives at your bank within 1 to 3 business days total.
Phone transfer: Call your branch or Edward Jones's main number, tell them you want to transfer a specific amount to your linked bank account, and they'll process it over the phone. You'll receive a confirmation number. Phone transfers may take slightly longer to process than online ones, but the arrival time at your bank is the same.
Edward Jones does not charge you for outgoing transfers. Your bank may charge a fee for receiving an external transfer, though most do not—check your bank's fee schedule if you're unsure.
What to do if you need to sell investments first
Edward Jones will only transfer cash that's already in your account. If your money is tied up in stocks, mutual funds, bonds, or other investments, you need to sell them first and let the sale settle before you can move the cash.
Stock and mutual fund sales typically settle in 1 to 2 business days. During that time, the cash sits in your Edward Jones account but is not yet available to transfer. Once settlement is complete, the cash moves into your "core account" or money market sweep, and you can request the transfer to your bank.
You can sell investments and request the transfer in the same session, but the transfer won't go through until settlement is done. If you're in a hurry, sell first, wait for the settlement notification from Edward Jones, and then request the transfer.
Rules for IRAs and retirement accounts
Transferring from a retirement account—a traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP-IRA, or Edward Jones retirement plan—works the same way technically, but the tax and withdrawal rules are different and matter a lot.
Traditional IRA or SEP-IRA: Any withdrawal is treated as taxable income in the year you withdraw it. Edward Jones will withhold 10% for federal taxes automatically unless you tell them not to, though you may owe more at tax time. If you're under 59½, you'll also owe a 10% early withdrawal penalty on top of income tax, unless you may have access to for an exception (disability, medical expenses, first-time home purchase, and a few others). The penalty is separate from the withholding—you'll pay it when you file taxes.
Roth IRA: You can withdraw contributions (the money you put in) anytime with no tax or penalty. Earnings (investment gains) are taxable and subject to the early withdrawal penalty if you're under 59½ and haven't held the account for at least 5 years. Edward Jones can tell you how much of your balance is contributions versus earnings.
Edward Jones retirement plans (if applicable): Rules depend on the specific plan. Call your branch to understand what applies to your account.
If you're moving money between retirement accounts of the same type—for example, from an Edward Jones IRA to an IRA at another bank—ask Edward Jones about a direct transfer instead. A direct transfer moves the money without you touching it, so there's no withholding, no tax event, and no penalty. This is different from a withdrawal and is almost always the better choice if you're moving to another retirement account.
Timing and what to expect
The full timeline from request to money in your bank account usually looks like this:
| Step | Time |
|---|---|
| You request transfer online or by phone | Same day or next business day |
| Edward Jones processes and sends to your bank | 1 to 2 business days |
| Money appears in your bank account | 1 to 3 business days after Edward Jones sends it |
| Total | 2 to 5 business days |
Weekends and bank holidays add time. If you request a transfer on Friday afternoon, it may not process until Monday, and your bank won't receive it until Tuesday or Wednesday at the earliest.
Keep your confirmation number from Edward Jones. If the money doesn't show up after 5 business days, use that number to contact Edward Jones and ask them to trace the transfer. They can confirm whether it was sent and, if so, ask your bank to locate it.
Common reasons transfers get delayed or fail
Most transfers go through without a hitch, but a few things can slow them down. The most common is a mismatch between the account number or routing number you provided and what your bank has on file. Edward Jones will catch this during verification, but if you typed something wrong when linking, the transfer will bounce back. Your bank will return it to Edward Jones, and you'll have to relink and try again.
Another reason is insufficient cash in your Edward Jones account. If you request a transfer of $5,000 but only have $4,800 in cash, the transfer will fail. Make sure the amount you're requesting is actually available—not tied up in pending trades or unsettled sales.
A third reason is a hold on your bank account. If your bank suspects fraud or has flagged your account for any reason, it may reject incoming transfers temporarily. Contact your bank directly if a transfer fails; they can tell you whether a hold is the issue.
Edward Jones can also delay or block transfers if they suspect fraud or if your account has restrictions (for example, if it's under review or has a legal hold). This is rare, but if it happens, Edward Jones will contact you to explain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money from Edward Jones to a bank account that's not in my name?
No. Edward Jones requires that the linked bank account be in your name. You cannot transfer to someone else's account, even if they're a family member or business partner. If you need to move money to another person, you'll have to withdraw it to your own account first and then transfer it separately.
What if Edward Jones is closed when I need to request a transfer?
If you request a transfer online, it goes through 24/7 and will process the next business day. If you call, you'll reach a representative during business hours (typically 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. your local time, Monday through Friday). For urgent transfers, request online to avoid waiting for the phone line.
Do I have to transfer the whole balance, or can I move just part of it?
You can transfer any amount up to your available cash balance. You don't have to move everything. If you have $10,000 in your account, you can transfer $3,000 and leave $7,000 with Edward Jones.
What happens if I close my Edward Jones account before the transfer arrives?
The transfer will still go through. Once Edward Jones sends the money to your bank, it's on its way regardless of whether your Edward Jones account is open. Your bank will deposit it into the linked account you specified. Closing the account doesn't stop the transfer, but it's cleaner to wait until the transfer is complete before closing.
Can I reverse a transfer after I've requested it?
If you catch the mistake within a few hours of requesting it, call Edward Jones when ready and ask them to cancel it before it's sent. Once it leaves Edward Jones and arrives at your bank, you cannot reverse it through Edward Jones—you'd have to contact your bank and ask them to return it, which they may or may not do. It's faster to call Edward Jones right away if you made a mistake.