Banks With Early Direct Deposit [2024]: How Soon Can I Access My Paycheck?

Early direct deposit is offered at some banks and allows people to access their direct deposits up to two days earlier than usual. So, if you’re paid every other Friday, you may see your paycheck available the Wednesday before your payday, which could be helpful if you need to get groceries or have a bill due.

While many banks offer early direct deposit for paychecks and government benefits as a way to entice new customers, the feature is still only available in some places or with certain accounts. Early direct deposit is usually free, and enrolling in standard direct deposit may automatically auto-enroll you in the early deposit feature at some banks.

Check out this list of banks with early direct deposit to see which ones offer the best features and whether your bank makes the list.

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Key takeaways

• Early direct deposit provides your paycheck up to two days earlier than usual.
• Multiple banks provide early direct deposit, though some may only offer it on specific accounts.
• Early direct deposit depends on when the bank receives the notification of an incoming deposit.
• Even if you’re enrolled in early direct deposit, it’s not guaranteed for every deposit, even if it is from the same payer who has previously provided an early direct deposit.
• Early direct deposit is not a paycheck or cash advance and typically doesn’t come with fees or a special sign-up process.

Banks with early direct deposit

• Discover
• SoFi®
• Chime
• Capital One
• One
• Varo
• Axos Bank
• Huntington Bank
• LendingClub Bank
• Fifth Third Bank
• Wells Fargo
• Ally
• Current
• Consumers Credit Union
• Regions Bank
• Dave

Banks with early direct deposit basics

Bank	Minimum balance	APY	Direct deposit estimate
Discover	$0	1.00% on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month1	Up to 2 days early
SoFi®	$0	Up to 4.20% with direct deposit2	Up to 2 days early3
Chime®4	$0	None on checking accounts	Up to 2 days early5
One	$0	Earn 4.35% APY6on Savings with eligible deposits	Up to 2 days early7
Capital One	$0	0.10% (as of 10/28/24) on checking accounts	Up to 2 days early
Varo	$0	None on checking accounts	Up to 2 days early8
Axos Bank	$0	None on Essential Checking	Up to 2 days early
Huntington Bank	$0 for Asterisk-Free Checking; varies for other checking accounts	Varies by checking account; Asterisk-Free Checking does not earn interest	Up to 2 days early
LendingClub Bank	$0 for Rewards Checking	Up to 0.15% (as of May 9, 2023) on balances between $2,500 and $99,999	Up to 2 days early
Fifth Third Bank	$0 on Momentum Checking accounts	None on Momentum Checking accounts	Up to 2 days early
Wells Fargo	$25 to open an account and a total of $500 in qualifying direct deposits or a $500 minimum daily balance for an Everyday Checking account to avoid a monthly fee	None on Everyday Checking accounts, 0.01% (as of 07/01/24) on balances up to $99,999 for Prime Checking account holders	Up to 2 days early
Ally	$0	0.25% (as of 10/28/24)	Up to 2 days early
Current	$0	Up to a 4.00% (as of Nov. 21, 2023) bonus9	Up to 2 days early10
Consumers Credit Union	$0, though a $5 minimum opening deposit is required	Up to 5.00% (as of 06/27/24), depending on the account balance	Up to 2 days early
Regions Bank	$50 to open an account	None	Up to 2 days early
Dave	$0	4.00% (as of 6/26/24)11	Up to 2 days early

Discover

• Minimum balance: $0
• APY: 1.00% on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month

With Discover's Cashback Debit account, you can get your paycheck up to two days early when you set up direct deposit. Discover’s banking products have no monthly fees, no fees for insufficient funds or overdrafts, and no minimum balance requirements.

Discover's cashback debit card can be used anywhere Discover cards are accepted, and it provides 1.00% cash back on up to $3,000 in purchases made with your card each month. You can access more than 60,000 ATMs throughout the United States with no ATM withdrawal fees — but keep in mind that you won't earn cash back for money withdrawn from an ATM.

Visit Discover ...

or learn more in our Discover review.

SoFi®

• Minimum balance: $0
• APY: Up to 4.20% with direct deposit²

SoFi® is an online-only bank that offers early direct deposit on its interest-bearing checking accounts when you sign up for direct deposit. Checking balances can earn 0.50% (as of 10/31/24) with direct deposit, while savings accounts can earn up to 4.20% APY with direct deposit. 

There are no account fees¹², and SoFi® offers access to 55,000 ATMs through the Allpoint Network¹³ and provides overdraft coverage up to $50¹⁴. SoFi® is also one of the few banks that don’t charge a fee for dormant or inactive accounts. SoFi is a Member, FDIC.¹⁵

Visit SoFi® ...

or learn more in our SoFi Checking and Savings review.

Chime®

• Minimum balance: $0
• APY: None on checking accounts

Chime is a technology company, not a bank, but it offers a checking and savings account through its partner banks, The Bank Corp, N.A. and Stride Bank.⁴

While you won't earn interest on your checking account through Chime, it does offer access to your paycheck up to two days early with direct deposit and no monthly fees or account minimums. ⁵ Users can deposit checks from anywhere and manage their money online through the Chime app. You can unlock mobile direct deposit by receiving a qualifying direct deposit.¹⁶

To get started with early direct deposit, you must first enroll in direct deposit online or in the app. Once your paycheck is deposited, you’ll receive a push notification and can access your money. Chime also offers the SpotMe® service, which could provide fee-free overdraft of up to $200 on debit card purchases for eligible members without fees for those that qualify.¹⁷

Visit Chime ...

or learn more in our full Chime review.

One

• Minimum balance: $0
• APY: Earn 4.35% APY⁶on Savings with eligible deposits

One¹⁸ is an online-only banking platform that appeals to budgeters by providing a checking account that can be divided into spending and savings sections called pockets. One has no account minimums and no monthly fees.

In addition to early direct deposit, customers might qualify for up to $200 in overdraft protection.⁷¹⁹ They also have access to more than 55,000 ATMs through the Allpoint network and can take out cash at Walmart using a barcode in the One app.²⁰

Visit One ...

Read our full review of One to learn more.

Capital One

• Minimum balance: $0
• APY: 0.10% (as of 10/28/24) on checking accounts

Capital One offers its 360 Checking account with no fees, access to more than 70,000 ATMs, early direct deposit, and other features.

To participate, customers enroll in direct deposit using a prefilled direct deposit form in the app, filling out a blank form provided on the Capital One website, or via their employer's preferred system. By enrolling in direct deposit, you’ll be automatically enrolled in the early direct deposit program as long as it's available from your employer.

You’ll earn up to 0.10% (as of 10/28/24) interest on your 360 Checking account and you don’t have to worry about minimum balance fees. Early direct deposit is only available for a 360 Checking account (not savings).

Visit Capital One.

Varo

• Minimum balance: $0
• APY: None on checking

Varo is an online-only bank that provides checking and savings accounts. Some of its features include early direct deposit, no minimum account fees, overdraft fees, and access to more than 40,000 fee-free ATMs.⁸

The Varo app offers Zelle, a popular way to send or receive money from family and friends. Even though Varo does not have any physical branches, customers can still make cash deposits by going to any store that participates in the Green Dot Network like Walmart, CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, 7-11, Dollar General, and Safeway. Varo Bank doesn’t charge a fee for cash deposits but the merchant may charge a small fee.

Visit Varo ...

or read our Varo review to learn more.

Axos Bank

• Minimum balance: $0
• APY: None on Essential Checking

Axos Bank offers an early direct deposit on its Essential Checking account, meaning you may see your paycheck up to two days sooner than you otherwise would. The account also offers no fees, unlimited ATM reimbursements, no minimum monthly balance requirements, and no overdraft or insufficient fund fees.

The Essential Checking account does not earn interest. While Axos offers several other checking accounts that earn interest, only the Essential Checking account offers early direct deposit. Customers are automatically signed up for early direct deposit when they enroll in direct deposit.

Visit Axos Bank.

Huntington Bank

• Minimum balance: $0 for Asterisk-Free Checking; varies for other checking accounts
• APY: Varies by checking account; Asterisk-Free Checking does not earn interest

Unlike other banks, Huntington Bank offers early direct deposit on all its checking account options. While some of Huntington Bank’s checking accounts earn interest, customers must maintain a minimum balance to qualify, and fees may be associated with specific accounts.

Huntington Bank also offers savings, money market accounts, CDs, IRAs, credit cards, and mortgage options.

Customers with qualifying direct deposits into their checking accounts are automatically enrolled in early direct deposit. You’ll receive an automatic alert when you’re registered and you can set up additional alerts so you’ll know when your money hits your account.

Visit Huntington Bank.

LendingClub Bank

• Minimum balance: $0 for Rewards Checking
• APY: Up to 0.15% (as of May 9, 2023) on balances between $2,500 and $99,999

LendingClub Bank is primarily a loan provider, but it also offers personal and business banking services. Its Rewards Checking account has early direct deposit and no minimum balance or transaction requirements and no monthly maintenance or overdraft fees.

To open a Rewards Checking account, you must deposit at least $25 but don’t have to maintain a specific account balance.

Rewards Checking customers can earn up to 1% cash back on qualified purchases using LendingClub’s debit card. To receive cash back, they must maintain an average monthly balance of at least $2,500 or receive at least $2,500 in qualifying direct deposits. Accessing ATMs is free, and LendingClub will even provide rebates on out-of-network ATM fees.

Visit LendingClub Bank ...

or check out our LendingClub Bank review for more information.

Fifth Third Bank

• Minimum balance: $0 on Momentum Checking accounts
• APY: None on Momentum Checking accounts

Fifth Third Bank is a regional bank, serving eleven states in the Midwest and southern U.S. It offers early direct deposit on its Momentum Checking account along with an Extra Time overdraft protection feature, which gives you until midnight of the following business day to make a deposit when your account is overdrawn.

Qualifying for Extra Time is vital because Fifth Third Bank charges a $37 overdraft fee, plus an additional "extended overdraft" fee of $25 if your account is overdrawn for seven consecutive days. This additional fee can be charged up to four times for every seven days your account is overdrawn — a potentially expensive consequence.

The Momentum Checking account also offers a MyAdvance feature, giving consumers a cash advance on an upcoming direct deposit between $50 and $1,000. It’s expensive, though, costing you 5% on every cash advance for the first 18 months and 3% every time you use the service beyond the first 18 months.

Visit Fifth Third Bank.

Wells Fargo

• Minimum balance: $25 to open an account and a total of $500 in qualifying direct deposits or a $500 minimum daily balance for an Everyday Checking account to avoid a monthly fee
• APY: None on Everyday Checking accounts, 0.01% (as of 07/01/24) on balances up to $99,999 for Prime Checking account holders

Although Wells Fargo offers early direct deposit on all checking account options, it charges monthly account fees. Customers can avoid fees in some cases by maintaining a minimum daily balance or having a certain amount of qualifying direct deposits. Still, you can likely find a checking account with no fees and more options elsewhere, especially since its most popular account, Everyday Checking, doesn’t earn interest.

Customers are included automatically in Early Pay Day, Wells Fargo’s early direct deposit program, when they set up a qualified direct deposit through Automated Clearing House (ACH). Personal checks, mobile payments, and Zelle or Venmo payments are not eligible for the Early Pay Day program.

Visit Wells Fargo.

Ally

• Minimum balance: $0
• APY: 0.25% (as of 10/28/24)

Ally Bank offers early direct deposit and a competitive APY on its Interest Checking account. Customers can receive up to eight early direct deposits per statement cycle, and each early deposit must be $10,000 or less.

The Interest Checking account also offers no minimum balance requirements and no monthly maintenance fees. If you set up a direct deposit and receive at least one deposit of $250 a month for 2 months or more, you may qualify for Ally’s CoverDraft program, which provides up to $250 in overdraft protection. Your transaction may be declined if you don’t qualify for, or exceed, the CoverDraft limits, but Ally won't charge an overdraft fee.

Visit Ally ...

or read our Ally review.

Current

• Minimum balance: $0
• Up to a 4.00% (as of Nov. 21, 2023) bonus⁹

Like Chime, Current is a financial technology company, not a bank, and it partners with Choice Financial Group to offer an online spending account with no minimum balance or overdraft fees and early direct deposit, among other features.²¹¹⁰²²

A Current Spend account offers seven times the points for cashback purchases at qualifying businesses. The account also provides access to three Savings Pods, which can earn up to a 4.00% (as of Nov. 21, 2023) bonus if customers set up a monthly direct deposit of at least $200.

A Current Spend account also provides fee-free overdraft protection, called OverDrive, which provides a limit of $25 to $200 based on your deposit history.²²

Visit Current ...

or check out our full review of Current to learn more.

Consumers Credit Union

• Minimum balance: $0, though a $5 minimum opening deposit is required
• APY: Up to 5.00% (as of 06/27/24), depending on the account balance

The only credit union on our list, Consumer Credit Union’s Rewards Checking account provides early direct deposit, no monthly maintenance fees, and access to more than 30,000 ATMs and 5,000 branches nationwide.

Consumer Credit Union doesn’t charge minimum balances or monthly maintenance fees on their Rewards Checking account. The account also offers one of the highest APYs currently available. However, to get the maximum interest rate you’ll have to receive edocuments, make at least 12 debit card purchases each month, have direct deposits totaling $500 each month, and spend at least $1,000 monthly using the Consumer Credit Union Visa credit card. You may earn less on your checking account balance if you don't meet the monthly activity requirement.

Visit Consumers Credit Union.

Regions Bank

• Minimum balance: $50 to open an account
• APY: None

Regions Bank offers two checking accounts: a LifeGreen Checking account for people who need to write paper checks at least a few times a month and a LifeGreen eAccess account for those who only do online banking. Neither account earns interest, but both offer early direct deposit, overdraft protection features, and a debit card. Regions Bank charges fees for checking accounts, which may be waived if you meet specific criteria.

Regions Bank offers the Early Pay program on its money market, savings accounts, and prepaid Regions Now Card. Most banks only provide early direct deposit on checking accounts, so Regions Bank is a good choice if you need a place to hold your emergency fund or other savings accounts. You can direct your funds into a savings account and earn a couple days of extra interest.

Visit Regions Bank.

Dave

• Minimum balance: $0
• APY: 4.00% (as of 6/26/24)

Dave is a mobile banking app that partners with Evolve Bank and Trust to offer checking and goals accounts.

A Dave Checking account offers many features besides early direct deposit, including earning interest with a high APY and no overdraft or minimum balance fees, as well as no ATM fees at over 38,000 MoneyPass ATMs.

The ExtraCash™ advance program could help you cover up to $500 in unexpected expenses if you qualify.²³ You’ll have to repay the balance by your next payday. 

You can send your ExtraCash™ advance instantly to your Dave Spending account for an optional express fee of 3% of the advance amount ($3 minimum). You can opt for a free external transfer, and there is also an express option for a fee of 5% of the advance amount ($5 minimum).

Visit Dave.

How to choose a bank for early direct deposit

There are many options for choosing the best checking account with early direct deposit. To help narrow your choices, consider the following before signing up with any bank.

FDIC insured: The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) protects the money you deposit in a bank up to $250,000 per depositor. Looking for the Member FDIC symbol on a bank’s website or account materials can be an excellent way to determine if the bank is legitimate and to know that your money is protected if the bank collapses.

What qualifies for early direct deposit? Do Social Security payments and tax refunds count for early pay, or is it only employer paychecks? Make sure the ways you get paid meet the qualifications for early access.

Low (or no) fees: Some banks charge monthly service fees, which can eat into your available cash each month. Many banks offer low- or no-fee accounts if you meet specific requirements like setting up monthly direct deposit or maintaining a certain balance in the account at all times.

Before signing up with a bank, read the fee disclosure statement and terms and conditions so you understand what you may be responsible for.

High-interest rates: While you probably won't find interest rates on checking accounts that compete with high-yield savings accounts, searching for a bank that pays interest on its checking account can help you earn as much as possible from your paycheck. You may need to decide between a low- or no-fee checking account and earning interest, but finding both features is possible, especially if you are comfortable with an online-only bank.

How do you like to bank? Online-only banks typically have lower costs than brick-and-mortar banks, so you’re more likely to find healthy interest rates and lower fees. They might also have additional account perks like rewards cards, ATM fee reimbursement, overdraft protection features, and interest-earning checking accounts.

Some people prefer a more traditional bank, with physical branches you can visit. While you may find many of the account features you want at a conventional bank, you may also find lower interest rates. Decide which features are most important to you, and look for a bank that fits your needs.

What other features does the bank offer? Banks often offer introductory rewards, account management tools, or cash-back options to entice you to bank with them. As you research banks, a good initial rate or other features might be the deciding factor in deciding on one bank over another.

Consider a credit union: Credit unions often have more competitive rates and lower fees. They also usually have physical branches that customers can visit, making them a good solution for people looking for a brick-and-mortar bank with more options. Any credit union you consider should be insured by the National Credit Union Association (NCUA), the equivalent of a bank’s FDIC insurance, and provides coverage up to $250,000 per single ownership account.

Check customer service reviews: As part of your research, pay attention to customer service reviews and ratings. Reviews can give you insight into the bank’s customer service approach and how they solve problems. If you use a bank’s mobile app, read reviews to learn about frequent glitches or issues.

FAQ

Bottom line

Many banks offer early direct deposit as a standard feature on their checking accounts. While checking account features can vary, look for accounts with no or low fees that are FDIC-insured. Finding the right bank account might take a little effort, but ensuring it has all the features you want and is earning you the highest interest rate possible can be well worth the time.

Be sure to do your research before you sign up with any financial institution, and check out our roundup of the best banks to help you learn more about your available options.