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Facts about banking

Facts about banking

Welcome to Banking 101.

Whether you’re a first-timer or just need a refresher, we’ve got the banking details you’re looking for.

Get started with a new account.

Opening and using your new account is easier than you think.

How to open a new checking or savings account

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We’re with you—wherever you are. Learn how to register, get our mobile app, deposit checks, set customized alerts, and so much more. Learn more.

Download Truist app on Apple app storeDownload Truist app on Google Play

A debit card gives you the freedom to make digital purchases and in-person payments using the cash in your checking account—but you'll need to activate it first. 

Activate your card online

Use your new account

Not sure how to get started? You’ve come to the right place. Learn how to:

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You have a bank account. Nice. Here’s how to put money into it.

Internal transfers

Transfer money between your accounts to access cash instantly.

Online banking

  • Sign in to online banking.
  • Select Transfer & pay.
  • Select Transfer money & pay Truist accounts.
  • Choose the account you want to transfer money from in the first drop-down menu.
  • Choose the account you want to transfer money to in the second drop down menu.
  • Select One-time or Recurring
  • Enter the amount to transfer
  • Select when to transfer.
  • For One-time transfers, select or enter a transaction date.
  • For Recurring transfers, select or enter your start date, and then select your frequency from the drop-down menu.
  • Enter an optional memo.
  • Select Continue.

Review your transfer details. If they’re incorrect, select Edit to make corrections. If they’re correct, select Send transfer.

Mobile Banking

  • Sign in to online banking.
  • Select Transfer & pay.
  • Select Transfer money & pay Truist accounts.
  • Select the account you want to transfer money from in “From”.
  • Select the account you want to transfer money to in “To”.
  • Select One-time or Recurring.
  • Enter the amount to transfer
  • Select when to transfer.
  • For One-time transfers, select or enter a transaction date.
  • For Recurring transfers, select or enter your start date, and then select your frequency from the drop-down menu.
  • Enter an optional memo.
  • Select Continue.

Review your transfer details. If they’re incorrect, select Edit to make corrections. If they’re correct, select Send transfer.

External transfers

Online banking

  • Sign in to online banking.
  • Select Accounts.
  • Select Link external accounts.
  • Select a site.
  • Enter your credentials.
  • Confirm account has been added by selecting the Accounts tab.
  • Follow the same instructions for internal transfers, selecting your external accounts from the appropriate drop-down menus.

Mobile Banking

  • Sign in to online banking.
  • Select Accounts.
  • Select the Settings icon in the upper right of the screen.
  • Select Link external account in the menu.
  • Select a site.
  • Enter your credentials.
  • Confirm account has been added by selecting the Accounts tab.
  • Follow the same instructions for internal transfers, selecting your external accounts from the appropriate drop-down menus.

Move money—fast—with Zelle®.

Send and receive digital payments to people and businesses with Zelle®. Use this step-by-step guide to learn how.

What makes pay day even better? Waking up to cash already in your account (thank you, direct deposit).

To get started, ask your employer how to enroll. You’ll need to give them this form, your routing and account numbers for the checking account where you want your paycheck deposited. You can find this information on one of your own checks, or in digital banking.

  • On a check: In the string of numbers along the bottom of your check, your routing number is the first set of nine numbers. Your account number will follow, and be between nine and 12 digits.
  • In digital banking: Select the account you want, and then select View account details to see your routing and account number.

We can make your bills disappear—from your to-do list. 

Learn how to pay your bills in digital banking, including how to set them for auto-pay. 

You don’t need a branch—or even a computer—to do your banking. Learn more about banking on the go, or download Truist Mobile now to get started.

Download Truist app on Apple app storeDownload Truist app on Google Play

Truist makes it easy to order checks. Before you get started, you’ll need to have your routing number and your account number handy.

As a reminder, the Truist Confidence Account doesn’t offer personal checks.

Personal check orders

For first-time check orders:

  • Online: Sign in to Truist Online Banking, and select Order checks and supplies. Follow the instructions.
  • By phone: Call 844-4TRUIST (844-487-8478).

For check reorders:

  • Online: Sign in to Truist Online Banking, and select Order checks and supplies. Follow the instructions.
  • By phone: Call Deluxe at 877-838-5287.

Business check orders

For first-time check orders and check reorders:

  • Online: Sign in to Truist Online Banking, and select Order Checks and supplies. Follow the instructions.
  • By phone: Call Deluxe at 800-559-6134.

Deposit availability

When you’re on a deadline, it helps to know ours. Here’s when you can count on us to have your deposits ready to use in your account.

Type of deposit Cut-off time for deposit to post that day When it's available to cover transactions presented during nightly processing When it's available for withdrawal and debit card purchases
Cash deposit with a teller Varies (check with your local branch) Same business day (based on cut-off time) Immediately
Cash deposit at the ATM 9 pm ET (M – F) Same business day (based on cut-off time) Immediately
Cash deposit through the night depository 7 am ET (M –F) Same business day (based on cut-off time) Available once processed by the branch teller
Check deposit through the night depository Varies (check with your local branch) Same business day (unless a hold is placed1) Next day after it has been processed (unless a hold is placed1)
Direct Deposit Post throughout the day Same business day Immediately
Check deposit with a teller Varies (check with your local branch) Same business day (unless a hold is placed1) Next day after it has been processed (unless a hold is placed1)
Check deposit at the ATM 9 pm ET (M – F) Same business day (unless a hold is placed1) Next day after it has been processed (unless a hold is placed1)
Mobile check deposit 9 pm ET (M – F) Same business day (unless a hold is placed1) Next day after it has been processed (unless a hold is placed1)

Transaction posting order

With so many ways to use your checking account—like checks, debit card purchases, ACH transactions—it can be a little tricky to keep track of your transactions. Some show up almost right away, like debit card purchases. Others, like personal checks, get processed overnight. Here’s what to expect for the typical posting order:

  1. (+) Deposits and Credits will post to your account first. This includes cash and check deposits, and incoming transfers received before the cut-off time at the location the deposit or transfer was made.
  2. (-) Bank-initiated transactions, like corrections and deposited item returned checks.
  3. (-) Client-initiated withdrawals and debits like debit card purchases, ATM withdrawals, account transfers, and teller-cashed checks. If we get more than one of these transactions for payment from your account, we’ll generally sort and pay them based on the date and time you made the transactions.
  4. (-) Client-initiated withdrawals and debits like automated payments for bills. If there’s more than one of these types of transactions, they’ll be sorted by the date and time that they’re received. Multiple transactions that have the same time will be sorted and paid from lowest to highest serial number.
  5. (-) Client-initiated checks will be posted and sorted in sequential order.
  6. (-) Some bank fees—like monthly maintenance fees—will post to your account last. Others will post to your account at the time they’re incurred.
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  • Nightly processing occurs on regular business days—that excludes Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
  • Cash and wire transfer deposits are processed throughout the day and are available for withdrawal the same day.
  • Funds from pending check deposits made after the cut-off won’t be included in your available balance to cover items that night. They’ll be processed in the next business day's nightly processing.
  • Check deposits will be posted to your account and available for use after the nightly processing (unless a hold is placed). If there’s a hold on your deposit, those funds aren’t available to cover items during posting, or for withdrawals and purchases, until the hold expires.
  • Overdraft and returned item fees are added after each item is presented against an insufficient available balance during nightly processing. Non-Truist ATM fees are applied after each ATM transaction. Other applicable fees may post at the end of processing.
  • Fees may be assessed on checks, recurring debit card transactions, ACH, and other items if they’re paid by the bank (overdraft fee) or returned (returned item fee). Also, if you accepted overdraft coverage, ATM and one-time debit card transactions may be assessed an overdraft fee. Some fees are assessed at the time the transaction is performed, while others are assessed at the end of the banking day.
  • Even more information can be found in our Bank Services Agreement under Withdrawals and Debits.

The more you know—the less you pay.

Fees happen. But they don’t always have to. Like with the Truist One Checking or Truist Confidence Account—where there’s no overdraft or overdraft related fees.

Overdraft fees

Overdraft fees happen when you spend more than you have in your checking account—but you won’t get any with a Truist One Checking or Truist Confidence Account

Overdraft fee

A $36 fee that’s charged when a transaction amount is more than your available balance and is paid with negative funds. If the original transaction amount is less than $5, we will not charge an overdraft fee.

Truist pays overdrafts at its discretion, which means that we do not guarantee that we will always authorize and pay any type of transaction. If we do not authorize and pay an overdraft, your transaction will be declined or returned.

Unless you have overdraft protection, overdraft fees can be issued up to three times per day until you make a deposit to cover all outstanding transactions. 

Overdraft fees may be assessed on checks, recurring debit card transactions, and ACH items. Also, if you have accepted overdraft coverage, ATM and one-time debit card transactions may generate overdraft fees. To review the Truist Overdraft Decision Notice, please refer to the last page of the Personal Deposit Accounts Fee Schedule (PDF).

Overdraft fee exceptions

Everyone makes mistakes—we get that. So, there are a few exceptions to overdraft fees, such as:

  • You have a Truist One Checking or Truist Confidence Account
  • When you catch the overdraft before the daily deposit cut-off time and deposit or transfer enough to cover the overdraft
  • If the transaction that caused the overdraft is a one-time debit card transaction or an ATM transaction and you declined Overdraft Coverage at the time the transaction was authorized
  • Here are some examples of how that works:
Transactions Transaction amount Available balance Overdraft fee
Available balance — $2.00 —
Coffee purchase, debit card $3.00 -$1.00 No
Lunch purchase, debit card $4.00 -$5.00 No
Check 102 $87.00 -$92.00 Yes
Check 104 $4.00 -$96.00 No

Tips and tools for avoiding fees

You don’t want to pay fees. We get that. Here are a few tools to help you keep an eye on your balance and quickly fix any accidental overdrafts.

Other fees

The best way to avoid account fees—like monthly maintenance fees—is to start with the right checking account or savings account for you. If you’ve done that, there are still a few others fees you should know about.

Paper statement fee

Help the environment and save up to $3 a month? Sign us up! Use this step-by-step guide to enroll in paperless statements.

You can use more than 3k Truist ATMs for free. And some checking accounts will waive fees a few times a month if you use a non-Truist ATM.

If you need to stop a transaction before it's complete, like a check you've written, a pending ACH transaction, or even a Zelle® transfer, a $35 fee will be issued.

Deposits

If you deposit a check, but the account that the check came from doesn't have the funds to cover it, you’ll will be charged $12 for domestic checks, or $30 for international checks, plus foreign bank fees.