- Offers more convenient and faster access to funds.
- Can cost less than other types of payment methods.
- Doesn't rely on paper checks.
- Employers or payers can automatically schedule payments.
- Lowers the risk of lost or stolen paper checks.
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Direct deposit is a payment method that's administered electronically between financial institutions. The payer will issue a direct deposit or electronic payment transaction that will automatically transfer to the recipient's account at a bank, credit union or other financial institution that accepts direct deposits. There's no need for the recipient to receive a physical check or cash and deposit the amount themselves. This convenience is why many employers and workers prefer direct deposit.
Your employer or a payer (such as the IRS for your tax refunds) will first ask you, the payee, for your banking information, including your bank routing and account number. This information is for the purposes of being able to pay you. Your employer will most likely ask you for your direct deposit information during the onboarding process. You can choose to have the money deposited into one account or multiple accounts—in some cases you can indicate the percentage you want deposited into each account.
Once the payer has this information, it will input it into either their payroll or banking software and schedule the direct deposit on their payment schedule. For example, if your employer pays on the 30th day of each month, the payroll or finance department will send payment information to their bank. Then the payment will be pushed out electronically—typically through the ACH (automated clearing house) network—on the 30th.
While the most common way people associate direct deposit is through their employer, there are many other ways you or other payers can use this method of payment:
The main benefits of direct deposit are the speed and convenience—it could explain why it's one of the most popular payment methods. Instead of having to pay to write a check and send it to payees, payers can schedule a payment on their payroll software or by logging into their financial institution. Recipients don't have to worry about losing a paper check or take the time to deposit it, whether in person at their local branch or through their bank’s mobile app.
Keep in mind that not everyone can send and receive direct deposit payments if they don’t have a bank account. That’s why it’s important to still have other payment methods just in case.
If you’re considering opening a new bank account to receive direct deposits, know that most financial institutions have this feature. And some offer extra perks to account holders who arrange to receive direct deposits.
Here are some checking accounts you can consider as you’re doing your research:
Product | Business account available? | Early Access Option | Monthly Fee |
---|---|---|---|
No | Yes | None | |
Chase Bank | Yes | Yes | Depends on checking account |
No | Yes | None | |
Lili | Yes | Yes | Depends on account |
Ally’s checking account called Ally Spending, has no monthly maintenance fees or minimum account balance requirements to earn interest. Account holders can send and receive direct deposit payments through their online banking or mobile platform. If you set up your account to receive direct deposit payments, you can get them up to two days earlier.
$12 ($0 with qualifying activities); $34 NSF Fee
Like Ally, you can receive direct deposit payments up to two days earlier. This large financial institution offers a variety of checking accounts, each with its own interest rate, monthly fees, and other features. However, you can send and receive direct deposits with all of them.
Aside from receiving direct-deposit payments earlier, you can take advantage of Chime’s automatic saving feature. Every time you use the Chime debit card, the financial institution will round up the purchase amount to the nearest dollar and deposit it into a dedicated savings account.
3.65% on savings account
This business banking account offers features such as bookkeeping and invoicing. You can send and receive direct deposit with all their banking products, though some may change a monthly maintenance fee.
You can use direct deposit if you're not interested in paying bills or having other people use paper checks. Same goes for receiving your paycheck, especially if you're afraid that a check could get lost or stolen. Plus, since you can schedule direct-deposit payments, you can do so at your own time and not have to worry whether a paper check payment will get there on time. Even better, if you want to get your paycheck, refund, or funds faster from your payer, many banks offer those who use direct deposit the opportunity to receive payment up to two days faster.
Although a direct-deposit transfer is almost instantaneous, it may take several days for it to land in your account. In most cases, you can access the cash within one to three business days. However, depending on your financial institution, you may be able to receive payment faster.
In most cases, setting up direct deposit is the same across all payers:
Direct deposit is an effective and convenient way to send and receive payments. To use it, of course, the payer or payee both need a bank or other account that offers this feature. Acquire this and you can save significant time and money compared to payment methods such as paying in cash or via a paper check.
You can write the words “VOID” across a blank check when giving it to the payer to set up direct deposit. This ensures nobody can repurpose that check for their own gain
Depending on which state is providing your benefits, it can take anywhere from several days to several weeks to start getting unemployment payments via direct deposit.
It can typically take 30 to 60 days for any changes to your direct deposit information to take effect.
You can’t receive a direct deposit unless you have an account with a bank, credit union or other financial institution that accepts direct deposit (as some brokerage accounts do).
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