Make payday easy with direct deposit
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What is direct deposit?
Instead of getting paid with a paper check, direct deposit is a type of payment where your money gets electronically transferred to your bank account by your employer, the government, a pension fund, or even the IRS.
Since it’s an electronic payment, you can get your money faster with direct deposit than by depositing a paper check at the bank and waiting for your money to clear.
Direct deposit is commonly used for payroll checks from your employer or from the Social Security Administration. With IRS direct deposit, you can get your tax refund and stimulus checks automatically deposited to your bank account.
It's a better way to get paid
Convenience
When you get paid with direct deposit, your money gets automatically deposited to your bank account, so you don’t need to take any action. No time to get to the bank? No worries — your money will already be in your account with direct deposit.
Security
Direct deposit is one of the most secure ways to get paid. Paper checks can get lost or stolen, but when your money is directly deposited into your account, you don’t have to keep track of a check.
Speed
Direct deposit lets you access your money faster than by depositing a paper check. Even better, with a Varo Bank Account, you can access your direct deposit up to two days early.* That means you can pay bills early and avoid late fees.
How to set up direct deposit
Whether you’re using direct deposit for recurring payments, like paychecks or government benefits, or for one-time payments, like stimulus checks or tax refunds, direct deposit makes it easier to access your money.
The setup process is typically the same no matter the payer. You’ll need to provide some info to your employer or payer, most of which you can find on a personal check or on your bank’s app or website.
Here’s what you’ll need to get started.
- Your bank routing number
- Your account number
- Your bank’s name and address
- A voided check
Your bank’s routing number directs your money to the right bank. Your account number directs your money to the right account.
Once you’ve collected this info, get a direct deposit form from your employer or payer to fill out and return.
With a Varo Bank Account, you can easily get a prefilled form in the app or on our site. Go to Move Money > Direct Deposit and follow the prompts to create a form. Once your form is created, give it to your employer or payer. Then your work for direct deposit is done!
Direct deposit can take up to two pay cycles to get set up, so you may still have to deposit a physical check for a couple weeks.
Get your paycheck early
With early direct deposit to your Varo Bank Account or Savings Account, you can access your money up to two days early. We don’t hold on to your money, and we post it as soon as we get it. That way, it’ll never show as “pending.”
Early tax return, anyone?^
Set up early direct deposit to your Varo Bank Account and you could get your tax return up to two days early.^ Whether you use a tax preparer or do your taxes yourself, give the IRS your account and routing numbers and you could get your money early.
No check, no card, no problem
With direct deposit, you don’t need to worry about depositing paper checks. And when you add your debit card to Google Pay or Apple Pay, you don’t need to worry about carrying it around. Just link your card to your digital wallet, and you’re all set to go cardless.
Direct deposit keeps you organized
It’s a lot easier to keep track of your money when you can do it all on your phone. With direct deposit, there’s always a digital record of your payments so it’s easy to see your account history. No need to organize paperwork or write down check details.
FAQs About Direct Deposit
How does direct deposit work?
With direct deposit, your money is directly deposited to your bank account through an electronic network called the Automated Clearing House (ACH). Your money clears automatically through the ACH and is available immediately. Some banks hold on to the funds for a few days, but we post your money as soon as we get it.
What’s the difference between direct deposit and wire transfer?
Both direct deposit and wire transfer are ways to transfer money electronically, but direct deposit is typically free and takes a day or two, while wire transfers come with a fee but happen in a few hours. Direct deposit is usually used for recurring payments, like a paycheck, and wire transfers are usually used for one-time or occasional payments, like buying a home.
Can I check the status of my direct deposit?
Absolutely. With a Varo Bank Account, you can easily check the status of your direct deposit in the Varo Bank app. Plus, turn on push notifications and you’ll instantly get notified when your direct deposit hits.