Personal Insights

Get paid smarter: How direct deposit works — and what’s new at Regions

Imagine payday without the wait: No paper checks or trips to the bank but money delivered quickly, securely and — sometimes even early — to your account.

That’s the power of direct deposit, and Regions is making it easier than ever to deposit and access your money with features like Early Pay and the new Direct Deposit Switcher.

What is direct deposit?

Direct deposit is a secure, electronic transfer of funds — like your paycheck, Social Security benefits, or retirement income — paid directly to your Regions checking, savings or prepaid Regions Now Card® account.

How it works

Direct deposit runs on the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network, a trusted system that moves money between banks in three steps.

• Your employer enters your bank account information into their payroll system.
• Their bank sends your bank the payment through the ACH network.
• Your bank adds the money to your account — often on payday, or even earlier in Regions’ case with Early Pay .

It’s a fast and secure process that eliminates the need to wait for a physical check.

Early Pay: Get paid up to two days early

Regions can receive ACH payment files before your scheduled payday. When that happens, we may make your funds available early — sometimes up to two days in advance — with Early Pay.

Benefits of Early Pay:

• Faster access to your money — no more waiting for payday.
• Smarter budgeting — plan ahead with earlier access to your money.

Setting up direct deposit

You’ve got options when it comes to setting up direct deposit.

Traditional method:

• Provide your employer with your Regions routing and account number.
• Fill out a direct deposit form or attach a voided check.

Modern method:

• Use a payroll connectivity tool like Regions’ Direct Deposit Switcher through a Mobile App or Online Banking.
• Digitally access your employer’s payroll system and make the switch in seconds.

Benefits of using a Direct Deposit Switcher

• Quick — often completed in minutes.
• Seamless — no manual entry of account info.
• Paperless — no forms or checks required.
• Secure — encrypted connections protect your data.

More benefits with direct deposit

• Faster activation — direct deposit typically starts within 1–2 pay cycles.
• Split deposits — send part of your paycheck to savings and the rest to checking.
• Automated savings — build financial wellness effortlessly.