diff --git a/src/components/HrTools/SavingsFundTransfer/TransferModal/TransferModal.test.tsx b/src/components/HrTools/SavingsFundTransfer/TransferModal/TransferModal.test.tsx
index 8449ca81cc..6f5d31751a 100644
--- a/src/components/HrTools/SavingsFundTransfer/TransferModal/TransferModal.test.tsx
+++ b/src/components/HrTools/SavingsFundTransfer/TransferModal/TransferModal.test.tsx
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import { DateTime } from 'luxon';
 import { SnackbarProvider } from 'notistack';
 import TestRouter from '__tests__/util/TestRouter';
 import { GqlMockedProvider } from '__tests__/util/graphqlMocking';
+import { GetUserQuery } from 'src/components/User/GetUser.generated';
 import theme from 'src/theme';
 import { StaffSavingFundProvider } from '../../StaffSavingFund/StaffSavingFundContext';
 import {
@@ -65,21 +66,29 @@ const transferDefaultData: TransferModalData['transfer'] = {
 interface ComponentsProps {
   transfer?: TransferModalData['transfer'];
   type?: TransferTypeEnum;
+  lastName?: string;
 }
 
 const Components = ({
   transfer = transferDefaultData,
   type,
+  lastName = 'Doe',
 }: ComponentsProps) => (
   <SnackbarProvider>
     <ThemeProvider theme={theme}>
       <LocalizationProvider dateAdapter={AdapterLuxon}>
         <TestRouter router={router}>
           <GqlMockedProvider<{
+            GetUser: GetUserQuery;
             createRecurringTransfer: CreateRecurringTransferMutation;
             createTransfer: CreateTransferMutation;
             updateRecurringTransfer: UpdateRecurringTransferMutation;
           }>
+            mocks={{
+              GetUser: {
+                user: { lastName },
+              },
+            }}
             onCall={mutationSpy}
           >
             <StaffSavingFundProvider>
@@ -99,9 +108,15 @@ const Components = ({
   </SnackbarProvider>
 );
 
+const renderModal = async (props: ComponentsProps = {}) => {
+  const result = render(<Components {...props} />);
+  await result.findByText(/Fund Transfer/);
+  return result;
+};
+
 describe('TransferModal', () => {
-  it('should render the modal with correct inputs', () => {
-    const { getByRole, getByText } = render(<Components />);
+  it('should render the modal with correct inputs', async () => {
+    const { getByRole, getByText } = await renderModal();
 
     expect(getByText('New Fund Transfer')).toBeInTheDocument();
     expect(
@@ -115,8 +130,8 @@ describe('TransferModal', () => {
     expect(getByRole('spinbutton', { name: /amount/i })).toBeInTheDocument();
   });
 
-  it('should close modal when cancel button is clicked', () => {
-    const { getByRole } = render(<Components />);
+  it('should close modal when cancel button is clicked', async () => {
+    const { getByRole } = await renderModal();
 
     userEvent.click(getByRole('button', { name: /cancel/i }));
 
@@ -125,7 +140,7 @@ describe('TransferModal', () => {
 
   describe('Handle submit and validation', () => {
     it('should show validation errors for required fields', async () => {
-      const { getByRole, findByText } = render(<Components />);
+      const { getByRole, findByText } = await renderModal();
 
       const toAccount = getByRole('combobox', { name: /to account/i });
       const amountField = getByRole('spinbutton', { name: /amount/i });
@@ -144,7 +159,7 @@ describe('TransferModal', () => {
     });
 
     it('should validate amount is greater than $0.01', async () => {
-      const { getByRole, findByText } = render(<Components />);
+      const { getByRole, findByText } = await renderModal();
 
       const amountField = getByRole('spinbutton', { name: /amount/i });
 
@@ -167,10 +182,45 @@ describe('TransferModal', () => {
       ).toBeInTheDocument();
     });
 
+    it.each([
+      { label: 'empty', input: '' },
+      { label: 'whitespace-only', input: '   ' },
+    ])(
+      'should reject $label notes on one-time transfers',
+      async ({ input }) => {
+        const { getByRole, findByText } = await renderModal();
+
+        userEvent.click(getByRole('combobox', { name: /from account/i }));
+        userEvent.click(getByRole('option', { name: /staff account/i }));
+        userEvent.click(getByRole('combobox', { name: /to account/i }));
+        userEvent.click(getByRole('option', { name: /staff savings/i }));
+
+        const amountField = getByRole('spinbutton', { name: /amount/i });
+        userEvent.clear(amountField);
+        userEvent.type(amountField, '100');
+
+        const noteField = getByRole('textbox', { name: /note/i });
+        userEvent.clear(noteField);
+        if (input) {
+          userEvent.type(noteField, input);
+        }
+
+        userEvent.click(getByRole('button', { name: /submit/i }));
+
+        expect(await findByText('Note is required')).toBeInTheDocument();
+        expect(mutationSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+          expect.objectContaining({
+            operation: expect.objectContaining({
+              operationName: 'CreateTransfer',
+            }),
+          }),
+        );
+      },
+    );
+
     it('should validate end date is after transfer date for recurring transfers', async () => {
-      const { getByRole, findByLabelText, getByLabelText, findByText } = render(
-        <Components />,
-      );
+      const { getByRole, findByLabelText, getByLabelText, findByText } =
+        await renderModal();
 
       userEvent.click(getByRole('radio', { name: /monthly/i }));
       expect(getByRole('radio', { name: /monthly/i })).toBeChecked();
@@ -197,11 +247,12 @@ describe('TransferModal', () => {
     });
 
     it('should submit form with valid data', async () => {
-      const { getByRole } = render(<Components />);
+      const { getByRole } = await renderModal();
 
       const fromAccount = getByRole('combobox', { name: /from account/i });
       const toAccount = getByRole('combobox', { name: /to account/i });
       const amountField = getByRole('spinbutton', { name: /amount/i });
+      const noteField = getByRole('textbox', { name: /note/i });
 
       userEvent.click(fromAccount);
       userEvent.click(getByRole('option', { name: /staff account/i }));
@@ -212,6 +263,8 @@ describe('TransferModal', () => {
       userEvent.clear(amountField);
       userEvent.type(amountField, '100');
 
+      userEvent.type(noteField, 'Test note');
+
       userEvent.click(getByRole('button', { name: /submit/i }));
 
       await waitFor(() => {
@@ -225,11 +278,12 @@ describe('TransferModal', () => {
     });
 
     it('should handle form submission successfully', async () => {
-      const { getByRole } = render(<Components />);
+      const { getByRole } = await renderModal();
 
       const fromAccount = getByRole('combobox', { name: /from account/i });
       const toAccount = getByRole('combobox', { name: /to account/i });
       const amountField = getByRole('spinbutton', { name: /amount/i });
+      const noteField = getByRole('textbox', { name: /note/i });
       const submitButton = getByRole('button', { name: /submit/i });
 
       userEvent.click(fromAccount);
@@ -241,6 +295,8 @@ describe('TransferModal', () => {
       userEvent.clear(amountField);
       userEvent.type(amountField, '100');
 
+      userEvent.type(noteField, 'Test note');
+
       userEvent.click(submitButton);
 
       await waitFor(() => {
@@ -255,7 +311,35 @@ describe('TransferModal', () => {
   });
 
   describe('Inputs', () => {
-    it('should populate initial values from data prop', () => {
+    it('should default the note to "<lastName> Savings Fund Transfer in MPDX" on new one-time transfers', async () => {
+      const { getByRole } = await renderModal({ lastName: 'Sleight' });
+
+      const noteField = getByRole('textbox', { name: /note/i });
+      expect(noteField).toHaveValue('Sleight Savings Fund Transfer in MPDX');
+    });
+
+    it('should not default the note when lastName is missing', async () => {
+      const { getByRole } = await renderModal({ lastName: '' });
+
+      const noteField = getByRole('textbox', { name: /note/i });
+      expect(noteField).toHaveValue('');
+    });
+
+    it('should trim lastName when building the default note', async () => {
+      const { getByRole } = await renderModal({ lastName: '  Sleight  ' });
+
+      const noteField = getByRole('textbox', { name: /note/i });
+      expect(noteField).toHaveValue('Sleight Savings Fund Transfer in MPDX');
+    });
+
+    it('should not default the note when lastName is only whitespace', async () => {
+      const { getByRole } = await renderModal({ lastName: '   ' });
+
+      const noteField = getByRole('textbox', { name: /note/i });
+      expect(noteField).toHaveValue('');
+    });
+
+    it('should populate initial values from data prop', async () => {
       const dataWithValues: TransferModalData['transfer'] = {
         transferFrom: '70056dcb-1a0f-4279-b710-928bcdff811a',
         transferTo: '408caf15-cdfd-41d1-8778-aa42a6561b85',
@@ -266,16 +350,17 @@ describe('TransferModal', () => {
         note: 'Test note',
       };
 
-      const { getByDisplayValue, getByLabelText } = render(
-        <Components transfer={dataWithValues} type={TransferTypeEnum.Edit} />,
-      );
+      const { getByDisplayValue, getByLabelText } = await renderModal({
+        transfer: dataWithValues,
+        type: TransferTypeEnum.Edit,
+      });
 
       expect(getByDisplayValue('500')).toBeInTheDocument();
       expect(getByLabelText(/end date/i)).toHaveValue('');
     });
 
     it('should validate that from and to accounts are different', async () => {
-      const { getByRole, queryByRole, getAllByRole } = render(<Components />);
+      const { getByRole, queryByRole, getAllByRole } = await renderModal();
 
       const [fromAccount, toAccount] = getAllByRole('combobox');
 
@@ -297,7 +382,7 @@ describe('TransferModal', () => {
     });
 
     it('should swap accounts when swap button is clicked', async () => {
-      const { getByRole, getByTestId } = render(<Components />);
+      const { getByRole, getByTestId } = await renderModal();
 
       const icon = getByTestId('SwapHorizIcon');
       const swapButton = icon.closest('button');
@@ -326,7 +411,7 @@ describe('TransferModal', () => {
     });
 
     it('should show/hide end date based on schedule selection', async () => {
-      const { getByRole, queryByRole, getByLabelText } = render(<Components />);
+      const { getByRole, queryByRole, getByLabelText } = await renderModal();
 
       expect(
         queryByRole('textbox', { name: /end date/i }),
@@ -348,7 +433,7 @@ describe('TransferModal', () => {
     });
 
     it('should show error message when monthly schedule is selected', async () => {
-      const { getByRole, getByLabelText, findByText } = render(<Components />);
+      const { getByRole, getByLabelText, findByText } = await renderModal();
 
       userEvent.click(getByRole('radio', { name: /monthly/i }));
       expect(getByRole('radio', { name: /monthly/i })).toBeChecked();
@@ -374,9 +459,10 @@ describe('TransferModal', () => {
         note: 'Test note',
       };
 
-      const { getByLabelText, findByText } = render(
-        <Components transfer={dataWithValues} type={TransferTypeEnum.Edit} />,
-      );
+      const { getByLabelText, findByText } = await renderModal({
+        transfer: dataWithValues,
+        type: TransferTypeEnum.Edit,
+      });
 
       const transferDate = getByLabelText(/transfer date/i);
 
@@ -391,7 +477,7 @@ describe('TransferModal', () => {
     });
 
     it('should show information box when amount exceeds limit', async () => {
-      const { getByRole, findByRole } = render(<Components />);
+      const { getByRole, findByRole } = await renderModal();
 
       const fromAccount = getByRole('combobox', { name: /from account/i });
       const toAccount = getByRole('combobox', { name: /to account/i });
@@ -417,14 +503,14 @@ describe('TransferModal', () => {
       ).toBeInTheDocument();
     });
 
-    it('should show proper currency symbol in amount field', () => {
-      const { getByText } = render(<Components />);
+    it('should show proper currency symbol in amount field', async () => {
+      const { getByText } = await renderModal();
 
       expect(getByText('$')).toBeInTheDocument();
     });
 
     it('should handle different schedule types', async () => {
-      const { getByRole } = render(<Components />);
+      const { getByRole } = await renderModal();
 
       expect(getByRole('radio', { name: /one time/i })).toBeChecked();
 
@@ -437,9 +523,10 @@ describe('TransferModal', () => {
 
   describe('Mutations', () => {
     it('should create a one-time transfer', async () => {
-      const { getByRole } = render(<Components />);
+      const { getByRole } = await renderModal();
 
       const amountField = getByRole('spinbutton', { name: /amount/i });
+      const noteField = getByRole('textbox', { name: /note/i });
 
       userEvent.click(getByRole('combobox', { name: /from account/i }));
       userEvent.click(getByRole('option', { name: /staff account/i }));
@@ -450,6 +537,9 @@ describe('TransferModal', () => {
       userEvent.clear(amountField);
       userEvent.type(amountField, '100');
 
+      userEvent.clear(noteField);
+      userEvent.type(noteField, 'Test note');
+
       userEvent.click(getByRole('button', { name: /submit/i }));
 
       await waitFor(() => {
@@ -461,7 +551,7 @@ describe('TransferModal', () => {
                 amount: 100,
                 sourceFundTypeName: 'Staff Account',
                 destinationFundTypeName: 'Staff Savings',
-                description: '',
+                description: 'Test note',
               }),
             }),
           }),
@@ -470,7 +560,7 @@ describe('TransferModal', () => {
     });
 
     it('should create a recurring transfer', async () => {
-      const { getByRole, getByLabelText } = render(<Components />);
+      const { getByRole, getByLabelText } = await renderModal();
 
       const amountField = getByRole('spinbutton', { name: /amount/i });
 
@@ -532,9 +622,10 @@ describe('TransferModal', () => {
         recurringId: 'recurring-id',
       };
 
-      const { getByRole, getByLabelText } = render(
-        <Components transfer={dataWithValues} type={TransferTypeEnum.Edit} />,
-      );
+      const { getByRole, getByLabelText } = await renderModal({
+        transfer: dataWithValues,
+        type: TransferTypeEnum.Edit,
+      });
 
       const amountField = getByRole('spinbutton', { name: /amount/i });
 
@@ -585,8 +676,8 @@ describe('TransferModal', () => {
   });
 
   describe('New Mode', () => {
-    it('should display selects', () => {
-      const { getByRole } = render(<Components type={TransferTypeEnum.New} />);
+    it('should display selects', async () => {
+      const { getByRole } = await renderModal({ type: TransferTypeEnum.New });
 
       const fromAccount = getByRole('combobox', { name: /from account/i });
       const toAccount = getByRole('combobox', { name: /to account/i });
diff --git a/src/components/HrTools/SavingsFundTransfer/TransferModal/TransferModal.tsx b/src/components/HrTools/SavingsFundTransfer/TransferModal/TransferModal.tsx
index d74adb7f92..2104ee13cd 100644
--- a/src/components/HrTools/SavingsFundTransfer/TransferModal/TransferModal.tsx
+++ b/src/components/HrTools/SavingsFundTransfer/TransferModal/TransferModal.tsx
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ import {
   SubmitButton,
 } from 'src/components/Shared/Modal/ActionButtons/ActionButtons';
 import Modal from 'src/components/Shared/Modal/Modal';
+import { useGetUserQuery } from 'src/components/User/GetUser.generated';
 import { useLocale } from 'src/hooks/useLocale';
 import i18n from 'src/lib/i18n';
 import { currencyFormat, dateFormat } from 'src/lib/intlFormat';
@@ -135,7 +136,11 @@ const transferSchema = (locale: string) =>
       .number()
       .required(i18n.t('Amount is required'))
       .min(0.01, i18n.t('Amount must be at least $0.01')),
-    note: yup.string().nullable(),
+    note: yup.string().when('schedule', {
+      is: ScheduleEnum.OneTime,
+      then: (schema) => schema.trim().required(i18n.t('Note is required')),
+      otherwise: (schema) => schema.nullable(),
+    }),
   });
 interface TransferModalProps {
   data: TransferModalData;
@@ -169,6 +174,19 @@ export const TransferModal: React.FC<TransferModalProps> = ({
   const type = data.type || TransferTypeEnum.New;
   const isNew = type === TransferTypeEnum.New;
 
+  const { data: userData, loading: userLoading } = useGetUserQuery();
+
+  if (userLoading) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  const trimmedLastName = userData?.user?.lastName?.trim();
+  const defaultNote = trimmedLastName
+    ? t('{{lastName}} Savings Fund Transfer in MPDX', {
+        lastName: trimmedLastName,
+      })
+    : '';
+
   const title =
     type === TransferTypeEnum.New
       ? t('New Fund Transfer')
@@ -256,7 +274,7 @@ export const TransferModal: React.FC<TransferModalProps> = ({
           status: data.transfer.status ?? '',
           transferDate: data.transfer.transferDate ?? getToday(),
           endDate: data.transfer.endDate ?? null,
-          note: data.transfer.note ?? '',
+          note: data.transfer.note || defaultNote,
           isEditing: Boolean(data.transfer.id),
           originalStart: data.transfer.transferDate ?? null,
         }}
@@ -525,11 +543,17 @@ export const TransferModal: React.FC<TransferModalProps> = ({
                     <FormControl fullWidth>
                       <TextField
                         id="transfer-note"
-                        label={t('Note (Optional)')}
+                        label={t('Note')}
                         name="note"
                         disabled={!isNew}
                         value={note}
                         onChange={handleChange}
+                        onBlur={handleBlur}
+                        error={touched.note && Boolean(errors.note)}
+                        helperText={
+                          touched.note && errors.note ? errors.note : ''
+                        }
+                        required
                         fullWidth
                       />
                     </FormControl>