To request a money transfer to Vanguard, you initiate an Electronic Bank Transfer from a linked U.S. bank account into your existing Vanguard brokerage or retirement account. This process requires your Vanguard account to be active and a bank account already linked to it.
Before you request a money transfer to Vanguard
This guide is for transferring cash into an existing Vanguard account, not for opening a new one or moving investments from another firm. Before you begin, ensure you have an active Vanguard account and a U.S. bank account ready to link. If you need to move investment assets like stocks or ETFs, that is a separate process from transferring cash.
Link your bank account to Vanguard online
The primary method to add a new bank is through your online account. Log in to vanguard.com, choose the person icon, select "Profile & account settings," and then select "Banking" to add a new bank. You will provide your bank's routing and account numbers. Vanguard will verify the account, typically through small test deposits, before you can use it for transfers.
Link your bank account by mail
If you cannot link online, you can submit the Electronic Bank Transfer Form. You must include required documentation such as a voided check, deposit slip, statement, or bank letter. If there is no common owner between the Vanguard account and the bank account, at least one owner from each account must sign the form, and each signature must be notarized.
Initiate a one-time electronic bank transfer
Once your bank account is linked and confirmed, you can pull money into your Vanguard settlement fund. After logging in, navigate to the transfer or transact section and select your linked bank as the funding source. Specify the amount and the destination Vanguard account. Funds received by electronic bank transfer are subject to a 7-calendar-day hold before they are fully available for withdrawal or certain transactions.
Set up recurring transfers or direct deposit
To automate your investing, log in to vanguard.com, choose the person icon, select "Profile & account settings," and then choose "Recurring investment" or "Recurring withdrawal." For Direct Deposit of paychecks, Social Security, or tax refunds, access the "Profile & account settings" page and select "Direct deposit." You will need to provide Vanguard's bank routing number and depositor account number to your employer, the Social Security Administration, or the IRS.
Deposit a check with the mobile app
You can deposit checks using the Vanguard mobile app by accessing the "Transact" icon, selecting "Deposit," then "Select a funding source," and choosing "Mobile check." You will be prompted to take a picture of the front and back of your signed check. Accepted check types include personal checks, cashier's checks, certified checks, Federal Reserve checks, U.S. Treasury checks, business checks, and Vanguard-issued checks. Checks made payable to Vanguard do not need to be endorsed on the back; however, checks over $50,000 made payable to one or more Vanguard account owners must be endorsed with the payee's signature. If you are looking to transfer money from crypto to bank account, that is a separate process that involves selling your cryptocurrency and withdrawing the proceeds to your linked bank, which is not handled through Vanguard's check deposit feature.
Monitor your transfer and get help
You can check the status of a pending transfer by logging into your Vanguard account and reviewing the transaction history. Remember that transferring assets like stocks, ETFs, or mutual funds from another financial institution to Vanguard is a different process from transferring cash. If you encounter issues, contact Vanguard support directly through their website or phone number for assistance with your specific transfer.
