Auto-transfer rules help you automatically move money between your Relay accounts based on the rule you set. You can use auto-transfer rules to split incoming deposits, keep an account under a maximum balance, or allocate funds using the Profit First method.
This article covers:
- The types of auto-transfer rules available
- How to create an auto-transfer rule
- How to edit, deactivate, or delete an auto-transfer rule
- Frequently asked questions
Types of auto-transfer rules
Split incoming deposits
A Split incoming deposits rule automatically transfers a percentage of each incoming deposit from one source account to one or more destination accounts.
For example, you can set a rule to transfer 15% of every incoming deposit to a Tax account and 10% to a Profit account. The remaining amount stays in the source account.
Split incoming deposits rules do not need to add up to 100%. The total percentage must be greater than 0% and cannot be more than 100%.
Maximum balance rule
A Maximum balance rule lets you set the maximum amount you want to keep in one account. When the account balance goes above that amount, Relay automatically transfers the excess funds to one or more destination accounts based on the frequency and allocation you choose.
For example, you can set your Income account to keep a maximum balance of $5,000 and automatically transfer any amount above $5,000 to your other accounts.
Profit First rule
A Profit First rule is designed for businesses using the Profit First cash management method. This rule lets you set a maximum balance for your Income account and automatically allocate excess funds to Profit First accounts, such as Profit, Tax, Owner’s Comp, and OpEx.
The Profit First rule comes with pre-filled allocation percentages, but you can edit them before creating the rule.
Before you start
To create or edit auto-transfer rules, you must have the required permissions on your Relay account.
- Only team members with Administrator permissions, or advisors with Super Administrator permissions, can create or edit auto-transfer rules.
- Savings accounts cannot be used as the source account for an auto-transfer rule.
- An account cannot be both the source and destination account in the same Instant rule.
- You cannot create multiple Instant rules from the same source account.
- For Split incoming deposits rules, the total allocation must be greater than 0% and cannot exceed 100%.
- For Maximum balance and Profit First rules, the destination account allocations must add up to 100%.
How to create a Split incoming deposits rule
- Sign in to your Relay account.
- From your Home page, click Move money.
- Click Auto-transfer rules.
- Under Create auto-transfer rule, select Split incoming deposits.
- Choose the source account. This is the account where incoming deposits will land.
- Choose the destination account and enter the percentage of each incoming deposit you want to transfer.
- To split deposits across more than one account, click Add another account and enter the next destination account and percentage.
- Review the total percentage allocated. Any percentage that is not allocated will remain in the source account.
- Click Create auto-transfer rule.
- Review the details, then click Confirm auto-transfer rule.
- Sign in to the Relay app on your mobile device.
- From your Home page, tap Move money.
- Tap Auto-transfer rules.
- Select Split incoming deposits.
- Choose the source account. This is the account where incoming deposits will land.
- Choose the destination account and enter the percentage of each incoming deposit you want to transfer.
- Add more destination accounts, if needed.
- Tap Next.
- Review the details, then tap Save auto-transfer rule.
How to create a Maximum balance rule
- Sign in to your Relay account.
- From your Home page, click Move money.
- Click Auto-transfer rules.
- Under Create auto-transfer rule, select Maximum balance rule.
- Give your rule a nickname.
- Select a transfer frequency.
- Choose the source account and set the maximum balance you want to keep in that account.
- Select the destination account or accounts and enter the percentage allocation for each one.
- Click Create auto-transfer rule.
- Review the details, then click Confirm auto-transfer rule.
- Sign in to the Relay app on your mobile device.
- From your Home page, tap Move money.
- Tap Auto-transfer rules.
- Select Maximum balance rule.
- Give your rule a nickname.
- Select a transfer frequency.
- Choose the source account and set the maximum balance you want to keep in that account.
- Select the destination account or accounts and enter the percentage allocation for each one.
- Tap Next.
- Review the details, then tap Save auto-transfer rule.
How to create a Profit First rule
- Sign in to your Relay account.
- From your Home page, click Move money.
- Click Auto-transfer rules.
- Under Create auto-transfer rule, select Profit First rule.
- Give your rule a nickname.
- Select a transfer frequency.
- Choose your Income account and set the maximum balance you want to keep in that account.
- Review the pre-filled Profit First allocations and make any changes needed.
- Click Create auto-transfer rule.
- Review the details, then click Confirm auto-transfer rule.
- Sign in to the Relay app on your mobile device.
- From your Home page, tap Move money.
- Tap Auto-transfer rules.
- Select Profit First rule.
- Give your rule a nickname.
- Select a transfer frequency.
- Choose your Income account and set the maximum balance you want to keep in that account.
- Review the pre-filled Profit First allocations and make any changes needed.
- Tap Next.
- Review the details, then tap Save auto-transfer rule.
Using the Instant frequency option
You can choose Instant as the frequency for eligible auto-transfer rules. Selecting Instant means the rule will trigger automatically whenever a transaction causes your source account to exceed the maximum balance you’ve set.
- Transfers usually complete within seconds of the triggering transaction.
- Instant is available for both Profit First and Maximum balance rules.
- Instant is ideal for users who need real-time cash allocation between accounts.
How to edit an auto-transfer rule
- Sign in to your Relay account.
- From your Home page, click Move money.
- Click Auto-transfer rules.
- Under Your auto-transfer rules, find the rule you want to edit.
- Click the three dots next to the rule.
- Click Edit auto-transfer rule.
- Make your changes.
- Click Edit auto-transfer rule.
- Review the details, then click Confirm auto-transfer rule.
- Sign in to the Relay app on your mobile device.
- From your Home page, tap Move money.
- Tap Auto-transfer rules.
- Under Your auto-transfer rules, find the rule you want to edit.
- Tap the three dots next to the rule.
- Tap Edit auto-transfer rule.
- Make your changes.
- Tap Next.
- Review the details, then tap Save auto-transfer rule.
How to deactivate or delete an auto-transfer rule
If you want to pause an auto-transfer rule without deleting it, you can deactivate it. If you no longer need the rule, you can delete it.
- Sign in to your Relay account.
- From your Home page, click Move money.
- Click Auto-transfer rules.
- Under Your auto-transfer rules, find the rule you want to manage.
- Click the three dots next to the rule.
- To pause the rule, switch the rule to inactive.
- To permanently remove the rule, click Delete auto-transfer rule.
- Sign in to the Relay app on your mobile device.
- From your Home page, tap Move money.
- Tap Auto-transfer rules.
- Under Your auto-transfer rules, find the rule you want to manage.
- Tap the three dots next to the rule.
- To pause the rule, use the deactivate toggle.
- To permanently remove the rule, tap Delete auto-transfer rule.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Split incoming deposits and Maximum balance rules?
Split incoming deposits rules transfer a percentage of each incoming deposit when it lands in the source account.
Maximum balance rules move money when the source account balance goes above the maximum balance you set.
Do Split incoming deposits allocations need to add up to 100%?
No. Split incoming deposits allocations can be less than 100%. Any unallocated amount stays in the source account.
For example, if you set a rule to transfer 15% to Tax and 10% to Profit, the remaining 75% stays in the source account.
Can I use a savings account as the source account?
No. Savings accounts cannot be used as the source account for auto-transfer rules.
Can I create more than one Instant rule from the same source account?
No. You can only have one Instant auto-transfer rule per source account.
Can the same account be used across multiple Instant rules?
There are limits on how the same accounts can be used across Instant auto-transfer rules.
- An account cannot be both the source and destination account in the same Instant rule.
- You cannot create multiple Instant rules from the same source account.
- A source account used in one Instant rule cannot be used as a destination account in another Instant rule.
- A destination account used in one Instant rule cannot be used as a source account in another Instant rule.
If an account combination is not available, Relay will show an error message in the app to help you adjust the rule.
Will a Split incoming deposits rule apply to deposits I already received?
No. A Split incoming deposits rule applies to new incoming deposits after the rule is created.
Does switching a rule to Instant make it run right away?
No. Switching a rule to Instant does not trigger the rule immediately. The rule will run when a new transaction meets the rule’s conditions.
What time do scheduled auto-transfers run?
Scheduled auto-transfers run at approximately 2 a.m. Eastern Time on their scheduled dates.
Can I edit a rule after creating it?
Yes. You can edit, deactivate, or delete an auto-transfer rule from the Auto-transfer rules page.