SunTrust merged with BB&T to become Truist in December 2019

Yes, SunTrust no longer exists as a separate bank. On December 6, 2019, SunTrust Banks and BB&T Corporation completed their merger and rebranded as Truist Financial Corporation. If you had a SunTrust account, it became a Truist account automatically — you did not have to do anything, and your account number, routing number, and online login remained the same during the transition.

The merger was one of the largest bank consolidations in U.S. history at the time. Both banks operated under the Truist name within weeks of the merger closing, though the full integration of systems, branches, and services took longer. Today, Truist is the sixth-largest bank by deposits in the United States.

Your account did not close, move, or require re-opening. Truist simply took over the obligations SunTrust held — your deposits, your loans, your payment history, everything. If you still have questions about what happened to a specific account or service, Truist customer service can pull up your history under your old SunTrust account number.

Key Takeaways

  • SunTrust accounts became Truist accounts automatically on December 6, 2019, with no action required from you.
  • Your account number, routing number, and online login credentials stayed the same; you did not need to update direct deposits or automatic payments.
  • SunTrust branches were rebranded as Truist branches, and most locations remained open in the same places.
  • If you had a SunTrust loan, credit card, or investment account, Truist now services it under the same terms.

What stayed the same during the transition

Your account number did not change. Your routing number did not change. If you had automatic bill payments, direct deposits, or standing transfers set up through SunTrust, they continued to work without interruption. Truist honored all existing account agreements, interest rates on savings accounts, and loan terms that SunTrust had in place.

Your online banking login and password worked the same way, though Truist eventually migrated everyone to its own digital platform over time. If you used SunTrust's mobile app, you could continue using it briefly, but Truist pushed users toward the Truist mobile app within months of the merger. Your transaction history and account balance transferred with you.

If you had a SunTrust credit card, it remained active. Truist did not cancel cards or change credit limits because of the merger. Your payment history with SunTrust counted toward your credit profile at Truist — there was no reset or restart.

What changed after the merger

Branch locations and hours shifted as Truist consolidated overlapping locations. In some areas where SunTrust and BB&T had branches very close to each other, one closed. You may have had to travel farther to visit a branch in person, or you may have gained a closer Truist location if a BB&T branch was nearer to you than your old SunTrust branch.

Fee structures changed gradually. Truist adopted its own fee schedule, which sometimes meant higher or lower monthly maintenance fees, overdraft fees, or ATM fees depending on your account type and location. Truist sent notices about these changes before they took effect, usually 30 days in advance.

Product names and features were standardized. SunTrust's specific checking and savings account products were renamed or consolidated into Truist's product line. For example, a SunTrust Premier account might have become a Truist Preferred Checking account. The core features — interest rates, minimum balances, perks — often stayed similar, but the branding changed.

If you had a SunTrust loan or mortgage

Your loan did not transfer to a new lender. Truist became your loan servicer because it acquired SunTrust's loan portfolio. You continued making payments to the same account or payment address, though Truist may have sent you new payment instructions or a new coupon book if you paid by mail.

Your interest rate and loan terms stayed exactly as they were. Truist could not raise your rate or change your payment amount just because of the merger. If you had a variable-rate loan, it continued to adjust according to the terms SunTrust set, not because Truist took over.

If you had a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or home equity loan through SunTrust, Truist honored the draw period and repayment schedule. Some HELOCs were frozen temporarily during the merger integration, but Truist notified customers in advance and unfroze them within a reasonable timeframe.

How to contact Truist about your old SunTrust account

Call Truist customer service at 1-800-TRUIST-1 (1-800-878-4781) and reference your old SunTrust account number. Representatives can pull up your full history under that number and answer questions about what happened during the merger. You can also visit a Truist branch in person with your ID and account information.

If you need to update your contact information, change your mailing address, or adjust account settings, you can do this through Truist's online banking portal or mobile app. Log in with your existing credentials — the ones you used for SunTrust still work, though Truist may prompt you to update your password for security.

If you have a dispute about a charge or transaction that occurred when the account was still under SunTrust's name, Truist handles the dispute investigation. The process is the same as it would be for any Truist account — you report it within 60 days of the statement date, and Truist investigates.

If you closed your SunTrust account before the merger

If you had already moved your money to another bank before December 2019, the merger does not affect you. Your old SunTrust account is closed and remains closed. Truist has no claim on funds you withdrew or transferred out.

If you left money in a SunTrust account and never touched it after the merger, Truist still holds it. Dormant accounts are subject to state unclaimed property laws, which vary by state. After a period of inactivity (usually three to five years), Truist may turn the funds over to your state's unclaimed property program. You can search for unclaimed money at unclaimed.org, which aggregates state databases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to update my direct deposit or automatic payments after the SunTrust merger?

No. Your routing number and account number did not change, so direct deposits and automatic payments continued without interruption. If you received a new debit card or account statement after the merger, it showed Truist branding, but the underlying account details stayed the same.

Can I still use my old SunTrust debit card?

Truist issued new debit cards with the Truist logo, but your old SunTrust card worked for a transition period. Truist eventually deactivated old SunTrust cards to prevent fraud and ensure you had the latest security features. You received a new Truist card in the mail before your old one stopped working.

What if I had a SunTrust savings account with a specific interest rate?

Truist honored the rate you had at the time of the merger. However, interest rates on savings accounts change over time based on market conditions and Truist's policies, not because of the merger. Truist notified you of any rate changes before they took effect.

Is my money still safe after the merger?

Yes. Truist is an FDIC-insured bank, just as SunTrust was. Your deposits are protected up to $250,000 per account category (checking, savings, money market, etc.) at any FDIC-insured bank. The merger did not change your deposit insurance coverage.

Can I still access my old SunTrust account statements?

Yes. Truist keeps records of SunTrust transactions and statements. You can request old statements through Truist's online banking portal or by calling customer service. Paper statements from the SunTrust era are archived and can be retrieved if you need them for tax or legal purposes.