Are You Taking Full Advantage of Direct Deposit?

It’s easy to take conveniences like direct deposit for granted without fully understanding how it works or why you should use it. You may have questions concerning direct deposit, so we want to make sure you fully understand the system.

How does direct deposit work?

Direct deposit forgoes the physical printing of payment checks by transferring money online through software like payroll programs. An electronic file is transmitted to or from your financial institution, which lets the recipient know which account should receive payment/deduction and how much.

Justin Pritchard of The Balance explains financial institutions connect to each other and move payments via the Automated Clearing House network. “When you receive funds via a direct deposit, your account balance will automatically increase when the payment arrives.” So instead of waiting 2-5 business days for a paper check deposit to clear, you often have access to these funds on the same day they’re wired into your account.

All you need to set up a direct deposit is your financial institution’s routing number, your account number, the type of account being deposited into or debited and the amount to transfer.

Is direct deposit safe?

In the past, paper checks and ATM deposits seemed like the most secure way to receive and make payments. Your visibility of and involvement in the transfer of money from one financial institution to another by carrying and submitting the paper check made you feel in control. But, that assurance is false; it’s actually less secure to carry and deposit a paper check.

“This [direct deposit] method of payment is generally safer than being paid via check,” points out Emily Guy Birken, a financial advisor and contributor to Forbes. “That’s because paper checks can be lost or stolen, and it’s possible for someone to fraudulently cash a check not made out to them… Since the money transfers automatically from the payer’s account to your account, it cannot be lost or stolen.”

Direct deposit is so reliable that the U.S. government has used it for Social Security payments for decades, and per its records “since 1976 when Direct Deposit first became available to Social Security beneficiaries, not one payment has ever been lost.”

Why should I use direct deposit?

The most obvious benefit of using direct deposit is avoiding the possibility of losing a paper check. This also is eco-friendly, saving the financier wasted time and resources involved with using paper.

When it comes to receiving your wages from your employer, direct deposit allows you to divide your earnings so they’re sent to more than one account. “If you want to split your paycheck between multiple accounts,” explains Derek Silva, writer for Policy Genius, “add each account to the direct deposit form and specify how much of your pay should go into each.”

Emily Guy Birken points out that establishing an automatic deposit into your account helps you fulfill your financial institution’s requirement of minimum transactions and daily balance. “Instead of having to keep track of your balance or debit card transactions to avoid maintenance fees, you can simply let your direct deposit do the heavy lifting for you.”

Is direct deposit for more than payroll?

Many people rely on a direct deposit to receive their recurring employment paychecks, but there are many others ways that you can use this payment system. Derek Silva lists a handful of these, including Social Security benefits, disability compensation for veterans, tax refunds, and disbursement of insurance benefits. You can also send payments through your financial institution’s account using a direct deposit system; just ask for information on how to do this.

Direct deposit makes receiving and sending money much easier, quicker, and more secure. Make sure you’re taking advantage of direct deposit in your daily finances; it offers a lot of benefits and is simple to set up.