You can withdraw money from Marcus anytime, but the method and speed depend on how you move it
Yes, you can take money out of a Marcus savings account. Marcus does not lock your money in or charge withdrawal fees. The catch is that Marcus is an online bank with no branches, so you cannot walk in and ask for cash. Instead, you move money from Marcus to another bank account you own, and that transfer takes one to three business days. If you need cash faster, you transfer to a checking account at your main bank first, then withdraw from an ATM or teller.
Marcus offers two ways to move money out: an external transfer to a bank account in your name at another institution, or a transfer to a linked Marcus checking account if you have one. Both are free and have no daily or monthly limits on how much you can withdraw. The speed and ease depend on which method you choose and how your other bank processes incoming transfers.
Key Takeaways
- Marcus savings accounts have no withdrawal fees, no limits on how much you can take out, and no penalties for moving your money.
- Transfers from Marcus to another bank account take one to three business days, so plan ahead if you need the money on a specific date.
- You can transfer to any bank account in your name, but you must verify the account details before the first transfer goes through.
- If you need cash immediately, transfer to a checking account at your main bank first, then use an ATM or visit a branch.
- Marcus does not offer ATM access, debit cards, or check-writing from the savings account itself.
How to set up an external transfer from Marcus
To move money out of Marcus, you first link an external bank account. Log into your Marcus account online or through the mobile app, go to the Transfers section, and select "Add External Account." You will need the routing number and account number for the bank account you want to transfer to. Marcus will verify the account by depositing two small test amounts (usually under $1 each) into that account within one to two business days. Once those deposits appear, you confirm the amounts in your Marcus account, and the link is active.
After the account is verified, you can transfer money out whenever you want. Go to Transfers, select the external account, enter the amount, and choose a transfer date. Marcus processes the transfer that day if you submit it before their cutoff time (usually 5 p.m. ET on business days), and the money arrives at your other bank within one to three business days. The exact timing depends on your other bank's processing speed.
Transferring to a Marcus checking account (if you have one)
If you also have a Marcus checking account, transfers between your Marcus savings and checking are faster and simpler. These transfers are internal to Marcus and usually post within hours or by the next business day. Once the money is in your Marcus checking account, you can withdraw it at any ATM that accepts your Marcus debit card, or you can visit a partner branch if Marcus has one in your area.
Marcus checking accounts come with a debit card and access to a network of ATMs, so this route is useful if you need cash quickly. However, not everyone has a Marcus checking account—many people open only the savings account for the interest rate. If you do not have one and need immediate cash, transferring to your main bank's checking account is usually faster than opening a new Marcus checking account.
What happens if you need cash right now
Marcus savings accounts do not come with a debit card or ATM access, so you cannot pull cash directly from the account. If you need money today or tomorrow, transfer to a checking account at your main bank instead. If you submit the transfer before Marcus's cutoff time on a business day, it may arrive by the next business day, depending on your bank. Once it lands in your checking account, you can withdraw cash at an ATM or at a teller window.
This process is not instant—it still takes at least one business day. If you truly need cash within hours, you would need to visit a branch of your main bank in person and withdraw from an account that already has the money in it. Planning ahead by keeping some funds in a checking account or money market account with ATM access avoids this problem.
Limits and fees on Marcus withdrawals
Marcus does not charge fees for withdrawals or transfers out of the savings account. There are no daily withdrawal limits, no monthly withdrawal limits, and no penalties for moving your money. This is different from some older savings account rules that used to cap withdrawals at six per month—those rules no longer apply to most banks, and Marcus never had them.
The only cost you might face is if your other bank charges a fee for receiving an incoming transfer, but that is rare. Most banks do not charge for incoming transfers. If you use an out-of-network ATM to withdraw cash from a Marcus checking account, you may pay an ATM fee from the ATM operator, but that is not a Marcus fee—it is the ATM owner's charge.
Timing and business days: what "one to three business days" means
When Marcus says a transfer takes one to three business days, that clock starts after Marcus processes the transfer, not when you request it. If you request a transfer on Friday after 5 p.m. ET, Marcus does not process it until Monday. Then the one-to-three-day window begins. So a Friday evening request might not arrive until Wednesday or Thursday of the following week.
Business days are Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. If you need money by a specific date, submit your transfer request at least three business days before that date to be safe. If you are cutting it close, call your other bank to ask how long they typically take to process incoming transfers—some banks are faster than others, and knowing this helps you time your request better.
What to do if a transfer is delayed or does not arrive
If a transfer does not arrive within three business days of when Marcus processed it, log into your Marcus account and check the transfer status. Marcus shows whether the transfer is pending, in progress, or completed. If it shows completed but the money has not appeared in your other bank, contact that bank's customer service. The delay is usually on their end, not Marcus's.
If Marcus shows the transfer is still pending after three business days, contact Marcus customer service through the app or by phone. Provide the transfer confirmation number (shown in your account history) and the date you requested it. Marcus can investigate whether the transfer was rejected by your other bank—this sometimes happens if the account number was entered incorrectly or if the account was closed. If that is the case, you will need to set up a new external transfer to the correct account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw money from Marcus without linking another bank account?
No. Marcus is an online-only bank, so you must transfer money to another account you own. You cannot withdraw cash directly from Marcus or write checks. You need at least one external bank account to move money into before you can access it as cash.
What if I enter the wrong account number when setting up a transfer?
Marcus verifies external accounts with two small test deposits before you can transfer real money. If you enter the wrong account number, those test deposits will go to the wrong account, and you will not be able to confirm them. Marcus will not let you proceed with a real transfer. You can delete the incorrect account and add the correct one instead.
Does Marcus charge me for transferring money out?
No. Marcus does not charge fees for transfers out of savings accounts, external transfers, or transfers to a Marcus checking account. The only fees you might encounter are from your other bank if they charge for incoming transfers, which is uncommon.
How do I get cash if I only have a Marcus savings account?
Transfer money from Marcus to a checking account at your main bank, then withdraw cash at an ATM or teller. This takes one to three business days. If you need cash faster, keep some money in a checking account that already has ATM access so you do not have to wait for a transfer.
Can I set up automatic transfers out of Marcus?
Marcus does not offer automatic recurring transfers out of savings accounts through the app or website. You must initiate each transfer manually. If you want regular transfers, you can set up a standing order through your other bank to pull money from Marcus, but that requires giving your other bank access to your Marcus account details.