Percentage-based auto-transfer rules let you distribute money automatically between accounts based on 1) a percentage of an account balance or 2) a percentage of an incoming transaction.
This article explains what's changing, who is affected, and how to update your rules if needed.
Changes to percentage-based rules
Before May 8, each percentage rule calculated against the balance remaining after the previous rule ran. This meant multiple high-percentage rules could all execute — but each one would transfer a smaller amount than the last.
Starting May 8, every percentage rule calculates against your account's starting available balance at the beginning of the day or the total amount of the incoming transaction.
What did not change: Rules still run in order. If there isn't enough balance to fulfill a rule after earlier rules have run, that rule will fail.
Example: How the calculation changes
Say you have three rules on the same account, each set to transfer 50% of your balance. Your starting balance is $1,000.
BEFORE May 8 (legacy calculation):
Rule 1: 50% of $1,000 = $500 transferred | $500 remaining
Rule 2: 50% of $500 = $250 transferred | $250 remaining
Rule 3: 50% of $250 = $125 transferred | $125 remaining
Result: All three rules execute.
AFTER May 8 (new calculation):
Rule 1: 50% of $1,000 = $500 transferred | $500 remaining
Rule 2: 50% of $1,000 = $500 transferred | $0 remaining
Rule 3: 50% of $1,000 = $500 attempted — $0 available, rule fails
Result: Rules 1 and 2 execute. Rule 3 fails.
For incoming transaction rules, the same math applies. In the above example, an account with multiple incoming transaction rules on the same account would see the same result after an incoming transaction of $1,000.
Who is affected
You will only be affected if you have multiple, separate percentage-based rules on the same checking or savings account that run on the same day. The amount transferred may change, and if the combined percentages exceed 100% on any 1 account, some rules will fail. Example:
You are not affected by this change if you have one percentage-based rule on a checking or savings account, even if that rule distributes funds to multiple accounts. These rules are not impacted by this change. Example:
Options for updating your rules
Option 1: Reduce percentages so they total 100% or less to prevent rule failure
Option 2: Replicate the old cascading behavior manually
If you relied on the waterfall calculation, you can recreate it by adjusting each rule's percentage relative to the starting balance.
Example — replicating three 50% rules on a $1,000 balance:
Rule 1: 50% (receives $500)
Rule 2: 25% (receives $250 — equivalent to 50% of the $500 that was left)
Rule 3: 12.5% (receives $125 — equivalent to 50% of the $250 that was left)
Option 3: Switch to fixed-amount rules
If your goal is to move a specific dollar amount each day regardless of your balance, fixed-amount rules aren't affected by this change and may be a simpler fit.
How to edit your auto-transfer rules
- On web, click Accounts on the left-hand menu and select the Auto-transfer rules tab
- Click the three dots menu > Edit rule on the rule you want to change
- Update the percentage, review the rule summary, and save
FAQs
Will my rules automatically update on May 8?
Yes. Your existing rules will be modified. If you take no action, rules that can't be fulfilled due to insufficient balance will fail after May 8.
What happens when a rule fails?
No money is transferred for that rule. You'll see it reflected in your transaction history. Your other rules won't be affected.
Do I need to update all of my rules?
Only rules where multiple percentage rules on the same account are in place.
What if I have one percentage rule and one fixed-amount rule on the same account?
Fixed-amount rules are unaffected by this change. Only percentage-based rules are recalculated.
What if my rules run on different days?
If your percentage rules are scheduled on different days and never run on the same day, they won't compete for the same balance. You likely won't see any change.
Mercury is a fintech company, not an FDIC insured bank. Banking services provided through Choice Financial Group and Column N.A., Members FDIC.