Withdrawals from Credit Karma Savings go through your linked bank account
Credit Karma Savings is a high-yield savings account run by MVB Bank. When you want to move money out, you transfer it to the external bank account you linked during setup — usually your checking account at another bank. The money does not come out as cash or a check; it moves electronically from Credit Karma to your linked bank.
Transfers typically take one to two business days to land in your linked account. If you link a bank on a Friday evening, the transfer may not arrive until Tuesday. Credit Karma does not charge a fee for outgoing transfers, but your receiving bank might (though most do not).
You can withdraw as much as you want, as often as you want — there is no monthly limit on the number of transfers out. The only constraint is that you cannot withdraw more than the balance in your Credit Karma Savings account.
Key Takeaways
- Withdrawals from Credit Karma Savings move electronically to the external bank account you linked when you opened the account.
- Transfers take one to two business days to arrive, and Credit Karma charges no fee for outgoing transfers.
- You can make as many withdrawals as you want each month with no limit on the number of transfers.
- If you have not yet linked an external bank account, you must do that before you can withdraw money.
- Transfers initiated on weekends or holidays are processed on the next business day.
Step-by-step process to withdraw money
Log into your Credit Karma account on the website or mobile app. Navigate to your Savings account and look for a button labeled "Transfer" or "Withdraw" — the exact label varies slightly between the app and website, but the function is the same.
Select the linked bank account where you want the money to go. If you have only one linked account, it will be pre-selected. Enter the dollar amount you want to transfer. Review the amount and the receiving account, then confirm the transfer.
Credit Karma will show you a confirmation screen with the transfer amount, the receiving account, and an estimated arrival date. The transfer begins immediately, though the money will not appear in your linked bank account until one to two business days have passed.
What to do if you have not linked a bank account yet
You cannot withdraw money from Credit Karma Savings without a linked external bank account. If you opened the account but never added a bank, you need to do that first.
Go to your account settings or the transfer section and select "Link a new account" or "Add bank account." Credit Karma will ask for your bank's routing number and your account number. You can find both on a check, or log into your bank's website to locate them. Some banks also let you authenticate by signing in to your bank account directly through Credit Karma's interface.
Once you link the account, Credit Karma may run a verification process that takes a few hours to a day. After verification is complete, you can transfer money out immediately.
How long transfers actually take
Credit Karma processes outgoing transfers on business days only. If you request a transfer on a Monday, it typically arrives by Wednesday. If you request one on a Friday after business hours, it will not be processed until Monday and may not arrive until Wednesday.
The one-to-two-business-day window is a standard for ACH transfers (the electronic system banks use). Your receiving bank controls the final step — they receive the transfer from Credit Karma's bank and post it to your account. Most banks post ACH transfers the same day they receive them, but some take an extra day.
If a transfer does not arrive within two business days, contact Credit Karma's support team. They can confirm the transfer was sent and provide you with a reference number to give to your receiving bank if there is a delay on their end.
Transferring to a different bank account
You can link multiple external bank accounts to your Credit Karma Savings account and choose which one to transfer to each time. To add a second account, go to your account settings and select "Link a new account." Follow the same verification process as your first account.
If you want to change which account is your default for transfers, look in your settings for "Linked accounts" or "Transfer settings." You can usually set a preferred account there, though you can override it on any individual transfer.
If you want to remove a linked account, go to your linked accounts list and select the delete or remove option next to that account. You must have at least one linked account active at all times to make transfers.
What happens if a transfer fails
A transfer can fail if the linked bank account information is wrong, the account has been closed, or your receiving bank rejects the transfer for a security reason. If this happens, Credit Karma will notify you and the money stays in your Credit Karma Savings account.
Check the error message Credit Karma provides — it usually tells you why the transfer failed. Common reasons are a closed account, incorrect routing number, or a mismatch between the account holder's name on file at Credit Karma and at your bank.
To fix it, verify your linked account information is correct. If the account is still active at your bank, update the information in Credit Karma and try again. If the account is closed, unlink it and add a different account instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw money the same day I request it?
No. Transfers take one to two business days to arrive at your linked bank account. Credit Karma processes the transfer immediately, but the receiving bank controls when the money actually posts to your account. If you need cash today, you would need to withdraw from your linked bank account instead.
Is there a limit on how much I can withdraw at once?
No limit per transfer. You can withdraw your entire balance in a single transfer if you want. The only constraint is that you cannot transfer more than you have in the account.
Do I pay a fee to withdraw money from Credit Karma Savings?
Credit Karma does not charge a fee for outgoing transfers. Your receiving bank might charge a fee for receiving an external transfer, but most banks do not. Check your bank's fee schedule if you are unsure.
What if I accidentally transferred money to the wrong account?
Once a transfer is sent, you cannot cancel it through Credit Karma. If the money went to the wrong account, contact that bank and ask them to reverse the transfer. You will need to provide them with the transfer reference number from Credit Karma. If they refuse, contact Credit Karma's support team — they may be able to help recover the funds.
Can I set up automatic transfers from Credit Karma Savings?
Credit Karma Savings does not currently offer automatic recurring transfers. You must request each withdrawal manually through the app or website. If you want money to move automatically, you could set up a transfer from your linked bank account to Credit Karma instead, or use your bank's bill pay feature.