The fastest way to add a bank account to Fidelity

You can add a bank account to your Fidelity account in about five minutes using Fidelity's online portal or mobile app. The process asks for your bank's routing number, your account number, and verification that you own the account — usually by confirming two small deposits Fidelity sends to that account within one to three business days.

The account you're linking must be in your own name or a name that matches your Fidelity account exactly. You cannot link accounts held jointly with someone else unless both names are registered on your Fidelity account. Once verified, you can transfer money between Fidelity and that bank account for deposits, withdrawals, and dividend payments.

Key Takeaways

  • You add a bank account through Fidelity's website or app by entering your routing number and account number, then confirming two small test deposits.
  • The account name must match your Fidelity account name exactly, or the verification will fail.
  • Verification takes one to three business days; you cannot transfer money until Fidelity confirms the account is yours.
  • Once verified, you can set up automatic transfers, direct deposit of paychecks, and dividend reinvestment to that account.

Step-by-step process to add and verify a bank account

Log into your Fidelity account on the website or open the Fidelity mobile app. Navigate to the "Accounts & Trade" section (on the website) or the account menu (on the app), then look for "Linked Bank Accounts" or "Bank Accounts." Select "Add Bank Account" or the plus icon.

Enter your bank's name or routing number. Fidelity will search its database and show you the correct bank. If your bank does not appear, you can enter the routing number manually — you can find this on a check, your bank's website, or by calling your bank's customer service line. Then enter your account number (the long number on the bottom left of a check) and confirm the account type: checking or savings.

Fidelity will ask you to verify the account by confirming two small deposits, usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each. These deposits appear in your bank account within one to three business days. Once they arrive, return to Fidelity and enter the exact amounts of both deposits. Fidelity will confirm the account is yours and mark it as verified.

Some banks process these test deposits faster than others. If you do not see them after three business days, contact your bank to confirm the account number and routing number are correct, then contact Fidelity support to resend the deposits.

What information you need before you start

Gather these details before you begin: your bank's routing number (nine digits), your account number (usually 10 to 12 digits), and the exact name on the bank account. If the name on your bank account differs from the name on your Fidelity account — for example, if your bank account says "John Smith" but your Fidelity account says "J. Smith" — the verification will fail.

If the names do not match, you have two options: update your bank account name to match your Fidelity account name, or contact Fidelity support to see if they can update your Fidelity account name to match your bank. Do not proceed with mismatched names; the verification step will reject the account.

You can find your routing number on a check (the first set of numbers on the bottom left), on your bank's website, or by calling your bank. Your account number is the second set of numbers on the bottom of a check, or you can log into your bank's website to find it.

How long verification takes and what happens next

The two test deposits usually arrive within one to three business days. Once you confirm the amounts in Fidelity, the account is verified when ready and you can begin transferring money. The entire process from start to finish typically takes three to five business days.

After verification, you can set up automatic transfers, arrange for direct deposit of your paycheck, or have dividends and interest paid directly to that account. You can also link multiple bank accounts to a single Fidelity account — for example, a checking account for transfers and a savings account for dividend deposits.

What to do if verification fails

If you enter the deposit amounts incorrectly, Fidelity will ask you to try again. You get three attempts to enter the correct amounts. If all three attempts fail, contact Fidelity support and request that they resend the test deposits or use an alternative verification method.

If the deposits never arrive, the most common causes are a wrong account number or routing number. Log into your bank's website or call your bank directly to confirm both numbers are correct. Then contact Fidelity support with the correct information and ask them to resend the deposits to the right account.

If your bank account name does not match your Fidelity account name exactly, Fidelity will reject the account during verification. You must either update one of the names to match the other before you can proceed. Contact your bank or Fidelity support to make this change, then start the linking process again.

Transferring money after your account is verified

Once your bank account is verified, you can transfer money to and from Fidelity. Transfers from your bank account to Fidelity usually take one to three business days. Transfers from Fidelity to your bank account also take one to three business days, though some banks process them faster.

You can set up one-time transfers or recurring automatic transfers on a schedule you choose — for example, every payday or the first of each month. You can also arrange for your employer to deposit your paycheck directly into your Fidelity account, or have Fidelity send dividend payments and interest directly to your linked bank account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I link a joint bank account to my Fidelity account?

No, unless both account holders are registered on your Fidelity account with the same names. If you and another person own the bank account jointly, both of you must be listed on the Fidelity account with matching names before you can link it. Contact Fidelity support to add the other person to your account first.

What if my bank is not in Fidelity's database?

You can enter your bank's routing number manually. Fidelity accepts routing numbers from any U.S. bank. Find your routing number on a check, your bank's website, or by calling your bank's customer service line, then enter it when prompted.

How many bank accounts can I link to Fidelity?

You can link multiple bank accounts to a single Fidelity account. Each account must be verified separately using the test deposit method. There is no stated limit, though Fidelity may restrict the number for security reasons — contact support if you need to link more than five accounts.

Can I remove a linked bank account?

Yes. Go to "Linked Bank Accounts" in your Fidelity account settings, find the account you want to remove, and select "Delete" or "Remove." The account is unlinked when ready. You can re-link it later if you change your mind, but you will need to go through the verification process again.

What if I entered the wrong account number?

Contact Fidelity support before the test deposits arrive. Tell them the account number is incorrect and ask them to send the deposits to the right account instead. If the deposits have already arrived in the wrong account, you can delete that account and start over with the correct number.