Truist was formed in December 2019 when BB&T and SunTrust merged

Truist Bank did not exist before 2019. The bank you know today is the result of a merger between two large regional banks: BB&T Corporation (Branch Banking and Trust Company) and SunTrust Banks, Inc. The two completed their combination on December 6, 2019, and the combined entity took the name Truist Financial Corporation.

Before the merger, BB&T and SunTrust operated as separate institutions with different histories, service areas, and customer bases. BB&T was headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and SunTrust was headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. When they merged, the new company kept its headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, and began operating under the single Truist brand.

If you held an account at either bank before December 2019, your account did not close—it transitioned into the Truist system. Account numbers, routing numbers, and most account features remained the same during the transition, though the bank name on your statements and debit card changed to Truist.

Key Takeaways

  • Truist was created on December 6, 2019, when BB&T Corporation and SunTrust Banks merged into a single institution.
  • BB&T was based in North Carolina and SunTrust was based in Georgia; the merged company is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.
  • Existing customers of either bank kept their accounts during the transition; account numbers and routing numbers stayed the same.
  • The merger created one of the largest regional banks in the United States by combining the customer bases and branch networks of both institutions.

BB&T: The North Carolina-based predecessor

BB&T Corporation, which stood for Branch Banking and Trust Company, was founded in 1872 in Wilson, North Carolina. By the time of the 2019 merger, it had grown into one of the largest banks in the Southeast, with a strong presence across North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, and other states in the region.

BB&T operated as a full-service bank offering checking and savings accounts, mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, and wealth management services. The bank was known for its community banking approach and maintained a large network of physical branches across its service territory. Before the merger, BB&T had its own mobile app, online banking platform, and customer service infrastructure.

SunTrust: The Georgia-based predecessor

SunTrust Banks, Inc. was founded in 1891 and was based in Atlanta, Georgia. Like BB&T, it had grown into a major regional bank with a footprint across the Southeast and beyond, including presence in Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, and other states. SunTrust also operated as a full-service retail and commercial bank.

SunTrust offered similar products to BB&T—deposit accounts, lending services, credit cards, and investment services. The bank maintained its own branch network and digital banking platforms. SunTrust was particularly strong in Florida and Georgia before the merger brought it under the Truist umbrella.

Why the two banks merged

The merger was announced in February 2019 and completed later that year. Both banks saw the combination as a way to create a stronger regional competitor and achieve cost savings through consolidation. Merging the two institutions allowed Truist to reduce duplicate operations, close overlapping branches, and streamline technology systems.

The combined bank also gained scale—more customers, more deposits, and a wider geographic footprint. This scale helps a regional bank compete with larger national banks and invest in technology and services that smaller banks cannot afford on their own. For customers, the merger meant access to a larger branch network and more resources, though it also meant some branch closures in areas where BB&T and SunTrust had overlapping locations.

What changed for customers after the merger

The transition to Truist was gradual. Customers of both banks kept their accounts open, and most account features remained unchanged. However, over time, the two banks' separate systems were consolidated into one Truist platform. This meant that customers eventually accessed their accounts through a single Truist website and mobile app rather than separate BB&T or SunTrust platforms.

Debit cards were reissued with the Truist name, and statements began showing Truist as the bank name. Routing numbers—the codes used to identify your bank for direct deposits and bill payments—remained the same for most customers, so you did not have to update those details with employers or billers. Some customers experienced minor changes to account features or fee structures as the banks aligned their policies, but the core account remained active and accessible.

Truist's size and reach after the merger

The merger created one of the largest regional banks in the United States. After combining, Truist had assets of more than $500 billion and operated thousands of branches and ATMs across multiple states. The bank serves millions of retail customers and thousands of businesses, from small companies to large corporations.

Truist competes in the same market space as other large regional banks like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and regional players in specific states. The size gained from the merger allows Truist to invest in digital banking, cybersecurity, and new financial products at a scale that smaller banks cannot match.

Finding your account history after the merger

If you had an account at BB&T or SunTrust before December 2019, that account is now a Truist account. Your account history, transaction records, and statements from before the merger are still accessible through Truist's online banking and customer service. You can log in with your existing username and password (though Truist may have asked you to update your login credentials during the transition).

If you need statements or records from before the merger, Truist customer service can retrieve them. You can contact Truist through its website, by phone, or by visiting a branch. The bank maintains records going back several years, so older statements from your BB&T or SunTrust account are available upon request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I still have the same account number after the merger?

Yes. Most customers kept their account numbers when BB&T and SunTrust merged into Truist. Your routing number also remained the same for most accounts. You did not need to update direct deposit or bill payment information with your employer or billers unless Truist specifically notified you otherwise.

Can I still access my old BB&T or SunTrust statements?

Yes. Truist maintains records from both predecessor banks. You can view statements through Truist's online banking portal or request older statements by contacting customer service. The bank keeps several years of transaction history available to customers.

What happened to my BB&T or SunTrust debit card?

Your old card stopped working when it expired or when Truist issued a replacement. Truist sent new debit cards with the Truist name and logo to all customers. The new card worked the same way as your old one—you could use it at ATMs and retailers—but it was branded as Truist instead of BB&T or SunTrust.

Did any branches close after the merger?

Yes. Truist closed some branches in areas where BB&T and SunTrust had overlapping locations. The bank consolidated its physical footprint to reduce costs. If your local branch closed, Truist directed customers to nearby branches or encouraged them to use online and mobile banking. You can find current Truist branch locations on the bank's website.

Is my money still safe after the merger?

Yes. Both BB&T and SunTrust were FDIC-insured banks, and Truist is also FDIC-insured. Your deposits are protected up to $250,000 per account type at an FDIC-insured bank. The merger did not change your deposit insurance coverage.