Fund an Account
*Note: Depending on your user access level, and if you have an advisor who can access your account, some of the functions described here may not be available to you, or may be performed by your advisor.
How do I add money to my account?
Open your Accounts page and select Transfer Money from the Cash Activity Quick Links dropdown menu. Select the method of deposit and follow the instructions given.
You can fund your account by:
- Wire transfer
- Electronic funds transfer (EFT)
- Direct deposit/payroll deduction
- Transfer of money between your accounts with us
- Check deposit
For check deposits to an IRA account, be sure to specify your account number, whether the funds are a contribution or a rollover, and the year of the IRA contribution (if applicable).
What types of checks does Folio accept?
We accept the following types of checks:
- Personal checks made payable to Folio Financial Investments, Inc. and drawn on an account in your name at a financial institution located in the U.S.
- U.S. government checks or federal or state tax refund checks payable to you and endorsed to us.
- Corporate checks drawn on an account at a financial institution located in the U.S. in the name of a corporation and made payable to us.
We do not accept the following types of deposits:
- Cash
- Temporary checks (starter checks)
- Money orders
- 3rd party checks (e.g., checks that are not made payable to you)
- Post-dated checks
- Foreign checks payable in foreign funds
- Traveler”s checks
How much time does it take for an EFT deposit to complete?
- Transfer time for EFT deposits initiated here is 1 - 2 business days after the start date.
- The cut-off time for EFT deposits to begin processing the same day is 12:00 noon ET.
When can I schedule an EFT deposit?
- One-time transfers can be scheduled to occur on business days only.
- Repeating transfers can be scheduled for any day of the month. If a start date of a repeating transfer occurs on a non-business day, the transfer will be processed the prior business day. However, if an instance of a repeating transfer falls on January 1 (or January 2 or 3 if these are non-business days) the transfer will be processed the following business day.
Is there a maximum limit on the amount that can be deposited?
There are no maximum limits on deposits by check, wire, direct deposit, or EFT initiated at your financial institution. The maximum amount that can be deposited to an account via EFT initiated with us is $100,000 over a 30 calendar-day period.
What are the restrictions surrounding contributions to IRA accounts?
Account Type Restrictions:
- Beneficiary IRA accounts are not eligible for regular contributions.
- Because contributions to SIMPLE IRA accounts must be made directly from the employer via payroll deferrals, SIMPLE IRA accounts are not eligible for contributions via EFTs initiated with us. However, contributions to SIMPLE IRA accounts can be made by your employer via check, wire, or EFT initiated at your employer”s financial institution.
Age Restrictions:
- The year you turn age 70½, you become ineligible to make regular contributions to traditional or IRA rollover accounts. However, you may continue to make rollover contributions to traditional and rollover IRAs, regardless of your age.
- Regardless of your age, you are eligible to make regular contributions to Roth IRAs if you have earned income.
Amount Restrictions:
- For 2014 and 2015, the maximum contribution to traditional and Roth IRAs is the lesser of $5,500 ($6,500 if age 50 or older) or your taxable compensation for the year.
- IRA contribution limits do not apply to rollover contributions.
Rollovers:
- If you received a distribution from a traditional IRA, Roth IRA, or qualified plan, and wish to roll over those funds within 60 days, complete the IRA Rollover Certification Form and include it with your check. This form is located online on the Forms page, in the Help Center.
To which year do IRA contributions apply?
How will I know when money has arrived in my account?
You will receive a notification your Message Center each time funds have been deposited into your account.
To confirm a deposit in your account, open your Accounts page and review the amount in Cash Available.
Our Funds Availability Policy details when your money will be available.
How do I view the specific date that a deposit arrived in my account?
- Open your Accounts page.
- Select Transaction History from the dropdown menu next to the account.
- On the Transaction History page, select Deposits & Transfers in from the dropdown menu on Step 2.
- Select Search to see all deposits.
How do I set up check writing for an account?
- Open your Accounts page.
- Select Set Up Check Writing from the dropdown menu next to the account.
- Print and sign the Set Up Check Writing form, and then email, mail, or fax it back to us.
Distributions from certain types of retirement accounts are not eligible for check writing and require a Distribution Form.
Review our Special Services & Fees to learn more about the costs of setting up check writing capabilities.
How do I transfer an account from another brokerage?
- Open your Accounts page.
- Select Transfer Money from the dropdown menu next to the account.
- Under Add Money to this Account, select Transfer an Account.
- Review the Transfer an Account Introduction, then select Continue.
- Choose the account type you are transferring assets from, then select Continue.
- Designate which account will receive the transfer (a transfer must occur between the same account types, e.g., Roth IRA to Roth IRA), then select Continue.
- Follow the detailed instructions given.
During this process, you will have the option to transfer all or part of your assets.
How do I get assistance completing an account transfer?
Call a Customer Service Representative at 1-888-485-3456 if you need assistance completing an account transfer.
Can I complete a transfer from one account types to a different account type?
Generally, transfers can only be done between the same account types (e.g., Roth IRA to Roth IRA). Call a Customer Service Representative at 1-888-485-3456 if you require additional information.
What securities can I transfer?
We accept the following types of securities:
- U.S. exchange listed stocks
- Exchange-traded funds(ETFs)
- Most Mutual Funds (see our list of mutual funds)
- Cash
To transfer other types of assets, such as options, the transferring brokerage firm will need to liquidate those securities first and transfer the resulting cash proceeds. Because there may be tax implications resulting from this action, we recommend that you consult with an investment advisor or a tax professional before selling assets.
How do I roll over a 401(k) or other qualified retirement plan balance?
Once you have opened an IRA rollover account, you can initiate the transfer, through our online Transfer an Account process. (See How do I transfer an account from another brokerage?)
Qualified plans can include:
- 401(k)
- 403(b)
- Defined benefit
- Employee stock ownership (ESOP)
- Keogh
- Stock bonus
- Thrift or savings plans
You”ll need to confirm that the retirement account is a qualified plan and that all plan assets can be transferred into an IRA rollover account. Also be aware that if your rollover assets from a qualified plan are co-mingled with your regular IRA contributions, this may disqualify the plan assets from being rolled back into a qualified plan in the future. Contact your plan administrator for further information.
Can I transfer stock in a Direct Registration Program (DRIP)?
Yes. To do so:
- Open your Accounts page.
- Select Transfer Securities from the dropdown menu next to the account.
- Click on Transfer Security from a Direct Registration Program.
- Follow the detailed instructions given.
Can I transfer stock certificates?
No. However, you can convert physical stock certificates for publicly-traded companies into electronic book entry form (also known as "street name") and then transfer them to us. Check with the issuer of the security or financial institution holding your certificate to see if they can convert your physical stock certificate into street name.
How do I make a withdrawal from an account?
Open your Accounts page, select Transfer Money from the dropdown menu, and open the Withdrawal tab. Then choose a withdrawal type, and follow the instructions given.
You can withdraw funds from your account via:
- Electronic funds transfer (EFT)
- Check
- Wire
You must have account permission as a Money Mover, Trader, Account Manager, or Account Creator/Owner to withdraw funds. Users with Account Detail Viewer permission are able to view transfer activity and bank links but may not make withdrawals. Learn more about permission levels here.
How much time does it take for my withdrawal to complete?
- EFT withdrawals initiated with us will complete in 1 - 2 business days after the start date.
- Wire withdrawals are completed the same day they are processed.
- Check withdrawals take 1 - 5 business days to receive in the mail, depending on the delivery option that you select (e.g., overnight vs. standard mail).
- The cut-off time for processing all withdrawals is 12:00 noon ET. Withdrawals received after that time will be processed the following business day.
Is there a limit on the maximum amount that can be withdrawn?
The maximum amount that can be withdrawn from an account via EFTs initiated with us is limited to $200,000 over a 30 calendar day period. Withdrawals by Check, Wire or by EFT initiated at your financial institution may be for any amount up to the available cash in your account.
Why would a particular withdrawal type be unavailable?
Some types of deposits and withdrawals may be unavailable based upon the account type, restrictions on the account, permission levels-or they may be unavailable as an online feature.
If you would like to make a request that is unavailable online, you may be able to make the request using a Form or by contacting your advisor.
You must have a Money Mover or a higher permission level to withdraw money from an account.
What information is required to set up an EFT bank link?
Before making an electronic funds transfer (EFT)\, you will need to set up an EFT bank link using your bank”s routing and account numbers. After setting it up, you must also verify the bank link before it can be used to schedule transfers.
Bank links can only be established for accounts with identical account names. If the name on the account with us and the name on the bank account are not an exact match, such as in the case of an investment club account or corporate account, use the EFT Authorization Form, located on the Forms page in the Help Center, to set up the bank link.
What information is required to set up a wire bank link?
Before making a wire transfer, you will need set up a wire bank link using your financial institution”s FedWire routing and account numbers. The FedWire routing number is sometimes, but not always, the same as that financial institution”s ABA routing number. Please check with your financial institution to make sure you are using the correct number.
How do I transfer funds from one folio to another folio?
- Open your Accounts page.
- Select Transfer within Account from the dropdown menu next to the folio.
- Select the folio you are transferring shares out of.
- Choose the holdings you are transferring.
- Decide which folio the funds will be moving to, or create a new folio to transfer the shares into.
- Enter the amount of shares to move for each security, and select Continue.
- Review the transfer, and select Complete Transfer.
Online money transfers are also permitted between folios.
How do pending order amounts affect withdrawals?
Pending Buy Orders
When you place a buy order, the buy amount will be subtracted from the cash available for transfer, even before the trade executes. We process in this way so you can”t accidentally transfer the cash needed for the purchase.
Pending Sell Orders
Until a sell order is executed and the trade has settled, the proceeds from the sale will not be added to the cash available for use or transfer.
Card Security Code