How to Withdraw Money from Stash Invest
If you have a Stash account and need to move some money out of it, you have come to the right place. We’re going to show you the available ways to transfer a free cash balance out of Stash at the lowest possible cost in the shortest amount of time.
Moving Cash Out of a Stash Brokerage Account
Once a taxable investment account at Stash has a free cash balance, the funds can be transferred to a linked bank account. On the Stash website, use the transfer tool to begin. It’s very easy to use and only takes a few minutes to complete a transfer. A Stash banking account should automatically be linked here for added convenience.
Funds can of course be moved to an external checking or savings account, although this account will need to be linked. Stash offers two methods to connect an external bank account: instant and manual. The latter requires the account’s routing and account numbers, while the former method uses Plaid and requires login credentials. The manual method takes several business days to finalize, while the instant system is immediate when it works. Depending on your bank’s setup, one method may work better than the other. An account that is connected with the manual method cannot receive round-ups.
Once an account is linked, simply select it in the ACH form as the receiving account. Enter the dollar amount and submit the transfer. You’re all set.
Retirement and custodial account holders have different withdrawal procedures. Retirement account holders can complete the required steps through Stash after linking an external bank account and selling investments, while custodial account holders generally need to contact customer service to begin a withdrawal. Remember, these accounts have legal restrictions on them, and any withdrawal could potentially have tax consequences.
Moving Money Out of a Stash Bank Account
Besides investment accounts, Stash also offers bank accounts with FDIC insurance through a partnership with Stride Bank. Funds can be moved out of these accounts using the same transfer tool on the Stash website. Traditional ACH withdrawals are available, and Stash Banking also supports instant debit withdrawals in eligible cases. Funds can also be moved into a Stash bank account from a Stash investment account.
Moving Funds to Another Stash Brokerage Account
Available cash can be moved from an individual taxable account to another individual taxable account at Stash. The brokerage firm does not permit transfers of cash from a taxable account into a retirement or custodial account.
To make the transfer, simply go back to the Transfer link on the Stash website and follow the steps already outlined. The receiving account should be the second Stash brokerage account.
Timeframe
Money movements between Stash Banking and Stash investment portfolio cash are generally completed immediately. Traditional ACH withdrawals sent to external bank accounts from Stash Banking generally take 2 to 4 business days. Transfers from a Personal Portfolio generally reach a Stash Banking account within 1 business day and other linked accounts within 2 to 3 business days.
Although Stash robo customers have the same basic procedures for moving cash out of their accounts, they will face a longer transfer timeframe. Securities will have to be sold first, and these sales may take up to one business day to complete and settle before the transfer can move forward. After that, it may take up to three additional business days for the funds to show up in the linked bank account.
Instant Transfers on Stash
Stash offers instant debit withdrawals from a Stash Banking account for eligible users. This special type of transfer can be sent to a linked external debit card, can move up to $1,000, and carries a 1% fee. In most cases, the transfer should only take a few minutes to complete. A Stock-Back Card must be active in order to use this feature.
Other Stash Money Withdrawal Options
The cash movement options discussed thus far all utilize the ACH electronic network. There’s another option to move cash out of a Stash investment account: Automated Customer Account Transfers.
Better known as an ACAT transfer, this system can move both cash and securities from one brokerage firm to another. It cannot be used to move cash between bank accounts.
The second disadvantage of ACAT transfers is cost. Stash charges $100 for each outgoing transfer, although the receiving broker may reimburse it. That’s something you’ll probably want to check on if you opt for an ACAT transfer.
The third and final disadvantage of ACAT transfers is time to completion. It can take up to 21 days for this type of transfer to finalize. A cash-only transfer could take longer.
To start an ACAT transfer, you need to fill out a transfer form with the incoming brokerage house, which in this case will not be Stash. Be sure to specify a cash-only transfer if you don’t want to move your stocks and ETFs from your Stash Invest account.
Stash Debit Card
A really convenient way to move available cash out of a Stash banking account is the company’s debit card. There is no cost to add this to a bank account. Unfortunately, it is not available on a brokerage account. A Stash banking account is automatically connected to an investment account, though.
The Stash Stock-Back® Debit Mastercard® can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted, and purchases and withdrawals will automatically take available cash out of the banking account. Stash customers get free ATM withdrawals from within the Allpoint network, which has over 55,000 participating ATMs worldwide.
Outside of this network, Stash charges $2.50 for every ATM withdrawal, and the ATM owner may charge its own fee. Just for checking a balance at a non-Allpoint machine, Stash charges 50¢. Using any human teller to withdraw cash will cost $2.50. Any transaction outside the United States has a 3% fee.
Although the Stash debit card is pricey in some situations, purchases at a wide variety of retailers will earn fractional shares of stocks in those retailers. So it could be a good value if used wisely.
Why Can’t I Withdraw Money From Stash?
Stash, like any other financial organization, imposes hold times on cash before it can be withdrawn. Deposits of cash can take up to 6 business days before they become available for withdrawal.
Sales of stocks and funds (including those executed in robo accounts) must settle before the resulting cash can be taken out of the account. This will usually be the next business day after the sale. Cash will show in the Stash account, but it can’t be taken out until the settlement date. To use an example, if you own shares of Ford Motor Company and sell them on Tuesday, cash from the sale can generally be withdrawn on Wednesday.
Withdrawal Limits
The Stash debit card can only withdraw up to $1,000 per day from an ATM. For ACH transfers initiated from the Stash app or website to another bank account you own, the current deposit account agreement lists a limit of up to $3,000 per day and up to $5,000 per 30 days, although Stash notes that the current limits available to you can also be viewed in the app or website settings.
The cutoff time for ACH credits initiated from the Stash app or website to another bank account you own is 2:45 pm, EST.
Tracking Withdrawals
Stash’s website keeps track of all incoming and outgoing money movements. To find this transaction register, click on your name in the upper-right corner of the site and then select “Portfolio activity” from the list of available options in the vertical menu on the left-hand side of the screen.
Withdrawals on the Mobile App
The above instructions to move money out of a Stash account describe tools on the company’s website. Cash can also be moved using the Stash mobile app. Much is the same there. The app, for example, has the same interface as its website cousin.
In the bottom main menu, the Transfer icon is in the far-right corner. Tap on this to obtain the cash transfer tool.
The settings menu this time is in the upper-left corner. Tap on your initials and scroll down to find the link to manage an external bank account. Plaid and the manual method once again are the two available choices.
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Updated on 4/6/2026.
Chad Morris is a financial writer with more than 20 years experience
as both an English teacher and an avid trader. When he isn’t writing
expert content for Brokerage-Review.com, Chad can usually be found
managing his portfolio or building a new home computer.
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