Direct deposits have made banking less complicated and let you receive your funds faster. These deposits rely on new technology that automates money transfers to your bank account. While the technology speeds up transfers, it’s natural to wonder when the funds will arrive in your account. In addition, other people may have safety concerns, given the technology’s role in facilitating these transfers. We will discuss everything you need to know about direct deposits and how to receive your paycheck earlier.
What are Direct Deposits and How Do They Work?
The process of realizing your paycheck is more complicated without the direct deposit system. You have to receive your pay from your employer and drive to the bank. Some workers pencil this detour into their commute on paydays, while others go home with the paycheck and deposit it another day. If you do not deposit the check right away, it can get lost, stolen, or damaged. You would then have to approach the employer and request a replacement check which can be uncomfortable.
The direct deposit system eliminates these inconveniences. The payment arrives electronically in your bank account. You do not have to get your check on payday and drive it to the bank. Avoiding a visit to the bank can save you 15 minutes or more depending on the line, and you can also save on gas. Direct deposits save time and money while avoiding loss or theft. Employers also save money by avoiding postage, envelopes, manual labor involved with check signing, and other costs.
The direct deposit payment system also helps employers. Some workers will not deposit a physical check for several days. Your company’s bank account will change during this timeframe, and some employers have narrow margins. If an employee deposits a check when the employer has insufficient funds in their account, the check will bounce, resulting in a fee. Employers can also pay everyone on time, an initiative that would make employers feel more confident at the job.
Are Direct Deposits Safe?
Some consumers are worried about the safety of direct deposits. They hear about large-scale cyberattacks on major corporations. These attacks can cost corporations millions of dollars and reveal sensitive information. With cyberattacks on the rise, some wonder if a hacker can intercept direct deposit payments.
Luckily, direct deposits give consumers a safer way to receive their money. The U.S. government uses direct deposits to pay their workers, a testament to this method’s safety. The electronic version is the safer way to receive payments. The physical check can get lost or stolen, and an employer may make a mistake when writing your check. Even if you get a new check after losing your other one, a thief can use the floating check for identity theft.
How to Set Up a Direct Deposit
If you want to set up a direct deposit, you have to talk with your employer. Employers who offer direct deposit will inform you on how the process works and the steps to enroll in the direct deposit system. You will need to open a bank account if you do not have one already. Your employer will need your bank account number and routing number to send direct deposits. You can check with your bank for those numbers or browse your online dashboard to find those numbers. Upon completion, future payments will automatically go to your bank account.
Some employees do not believe receiving their money 1-2 days early will not make much of a difference. These people may have no issues covering living expenses and other costs. However, early deposits still have benefits. You can invest your money sooner or collect interest from your savings accounts. Most banks offer microscopic savings rates, but you can score up to a 4.00% bonus(1) on a Current savings pod. Current(*) can offer higher savings rates than traditional banks since Current(*) is a financial technology company that offers mobile finance services. They don’t pay for local branches and other overhead expenses, allowing them to pass on the savings to consumers.
How Long Do Direct Deposits Usually Take?
Some employees need quick access to their paychecks. Monitoring spending habits can reveal opportunities to reduce costs and build up an emergency fund. This strategy can strengthen your long-term financial health, but some workers need immediate funds to cover emergency expenses at the moment. Waiting a few extra days for payment can force low-credit workers to rely on payday loans and other dangerous loans. These loans can ruin a borrower’s financial outlook and increase stress in the workplace. Personal loans and lines of credit are more manageable for these expenses, but why have employees go through this stress when it’s unavoidable?
Many banks show direct deposits in your bank account at midnight. You will also have to see which payroll software your employer uses since it can affect delivery time. Most payroll software lets you receive payments within two days, while others may require up to four days. The ACH requires direct deposits to land in someone’s bank account within two days.
What Time Do Direct Deposits Hit Your Bank Account?
Each bank has different rules, but you can expect most direct deposits to hit your bank account at midnight. This is because some financial institutions update their accounts a few hours after midnight. However, most banks complete the direct deposit before 6 am, allowing many consumers to wake up the next day with the funds sitting in their accounts.
Can Direct Deposits Hit Your Account on Sundays or Federal Holidays?
Direct deposits can only get transferred to your account during business days. Therefore, holidays and Sundays are not viable days for direct deposits to take place. Some employers work around this, but you can save extra funds for the 1-day delay or use an app like Current(*) for early paydays.
Get Your Direct Deposits in Your Account Faster
Direct deposits help workers receive their paychecks sooner. This express delivery makes it easier to cover urgent expenses without taking out loans or leaning on credit card debt. However, some direct deposits still do not make it to your account on time. Not everyone can wait 1-2 days for their paycheck to hit their bank account.
Current has a solution for all employees who want faster access to their paychecks. Current(*) is a mobile app that lets you tap into your payday up to two days early for direct deposits.(2) You can use Current’s proceeds to cover your living expenses, and then your incoming direct deposit will pay off the difference. Unlike direct deposits, Current’s money transfers are instant. So, if you want the money now, you will have the funds a minute later.
Current(*) receives information about your direct deposits from the Federal Reserve and will credit your account, so you have an early payday. If your employer does not offer direct deposits, Current(*) can still make your life easier. You can take a picture of your check, and it will automatically get deposited into your Current account. You still won’t have to drive to your local bank.
Current(*) users get early paydays and other perks to fortify their finances. You can visit their website to open an account or download their mobile app to get started.
