What's the advantage of direct deposit vs. a check? (2024)

FAQs

What's the advantage of direct deposit vs. a check? ›

It's more secure than paper checks.

You should check into whether your employer offers direct deposit and how it would work for you. Direct deposit is usually safer and faster than getting a paper check or cash. Some employers or payroll processing services will process direct deposits so that the funds are available on payday.

Paper checks allow employees to have complete control over their wages. Once an employee receives a check, they can determine when or where they cash it. If they prefer to wait to cash it, they can. Employees can choose to deposit their check into any bank account they would like or cash it instead.

It allows you to access your money faster and is more convenient as your payment will not be delayed due to unforeseen circ*mstances such as bad weather. It is reliable and your payment will always be deposited on time in the bank account that you supply at the time of your enrolment in direct deposit.

Paper checks also allow employees flexibility with what they can do with their earnings. Once a paper check is made out to the employee, they can choose when and where they want to cash or deposit it.

Quick insights. Direct deposit enables employers to send money electronically to employees. This electronic payment method offers benefits to employees and employers alike. Direct deposit provides a convenient way for employees to get paid quickly without visiting a bank or depositing a paper check.

One reason Americans like Direct Deposit is because there is no cost to them. In fact, many financial institutions waive other fees when using Direct Deposit. Employers and employees without set paydays can use Same Day ACH, which allows employees to access their money the same day the payment is made.

Privacy Preference. Some employees may not want to disclose their financial institution information to their employer to give themselves a sense of privacy and control. Having a paycheck in their hand allows them the option of choosing to deposit it at their convenience.

Can I ask for a check instead of direct deposit? ›

Federal Law on Direct Deposit

But in that case, the employer must also provide employees another means of payment, such as cash or paper check. The employee can then decide whether to go with direct deposit at the bank of the employer's choosing or with the other means of payment.

The term direct deposit refers to the deposit of funds electronically into a bank account rather than through a physical, paper check. Direct deposit requires the use of an electronic network that allows deposits to take place between banks.

Funds are delivered quickly so there's minimal wait time and faster access to wages. Because funds are electronically transferred directly to employees' checking / savings accounts, the risk of lost or stolen checks is eliminated entirely. Trips to the bank or ATM to deposit checks are no longer necessary, saving time.

A check, however, takes 4–6 weeks to arrive in the mail. With a direct-deposited refund, you don't need to worry about your check getting lost, nor do you have to go to the bank to deposit or cash it.

Direct deposit downsides

You can't stop payment, as you can with a paper check. Changing banks means changing direct deposit information—employees need to complete new authorizations forms. There may be some initial costs to set up accounts and direct deposit bookkeeping software.

If you've never set up direct deposit before, it can be intimidating. Most employers will ask for a voided check to set up your direct deposit in addition to filling out a form. They ask for this because a check has all the information your employer needs to help ensure your paycheck is deposited in your account.

One of the key advantages of paying with checks is akin to the security that any analog mechanism provides in the modern era. Unlike digital transactions, which can be susceptible to online fraud and hacking, checks offer some peace of mind when transferring money.

As an employee, getting paid in check is better for you as it leaves a transaction trail. But if you prefer to get paid in cash, that's okay as long as your employer pays the right amount of taxes and covers insurance premiums for workers' compensation insurance.

While most direct deposits are secure, things can happen at banks that either delay funds or send monies to the wrong account. Providing an employee the paycheck directly makes it easier to verify that they have received it, when they have received it, and that they've been paid the right amount.