At Amplify, one of our goals is to ensure your payment and direct deposit options are personalized to you. That is why we allow our members to receive early direct deposits from their employers up to two days early. In this article, we will explain how early direct deposits work and how members can stay on top of their finances.

Key Takeaways:

• Early direct deposits are when your financial institution elects to honor payroll obligations earlier than the process dates.
• Early direct deposits are available to employees being paid through the automated clearing house (ACH) network. Some enrolled members may see the timing of their early direct deposits change as employers switch to instant payment networks like RTP® or FedNow®.
• Financial institutions like Amplify may choose to process your direct deposits up to two days early. Early direct deposits may be impacted by holidays, changes to payroll, and other external factors.
• New and existing members will be automatically enrolled for early direct deposits.

How does early direct deposit work?

When you set up direct deposit at work, your employer sets a specific date and time for your paychecks to be released to your bank or credit union. With early direct deposit, however, financial institutions like Amplify may choose to pay out those funds up to two days early if your employer processes payroll using the ACH network. This is a good-faith effort on the part of Amplify to move those funds into your account as soon as possible. 

When will my paycheck be posted to my Amplify account?

Amplify may post direct deposits to your account depending on when the information is received from your employer. Amplify will post direct deposits once a day up to two days early depending on when the information is received.

Since each employer’s direct deposit setup is different, we are unable to guarantee that your direct deposit will be posted earlier than your expected pay day. It is also possible that the timing of your deposit may vary from pay period to pay period. If you have questions regarding how or when your employer is processing payroll, please reach out to your HR department for further information.

Why are my early deposits now posting on payday?

If your direct deposits no longer post early, it may be the result of changes to your employer’s payment network. Some employers have transitioned from sending direct deposits via ACH (Automated Clearing House) to instant payment networks like RTP® or FedNow®. 

• ACH deposits are often sent in batches and may post before the scheduled pay date, depending on how early your employer submits them.
• Instant payments are processed in real time and post immediately when sent — typically on the actual pay date, not before.

If your deposit used to arrive early and now posts on payday, it's likely due to this change in payment method. We recommend checking with your employer or payroll provider to confirm how your deposit is being sent.

What other reasons may impact the timing of my early direct deposit?

Several factors may impact early direct deposits to your Amplify account. These can include: 

• Bank holidays
• Your employer’s payroll system setup
• Later than normal submission of payroll from the employer
• Employer payroll changes
• The data associated with your employer’s electronic payroll direct deposit
• Your very first direct deposit to your Amplify account from an employer

Will early post be available for all employers?

Provided that your employer’s payroll process allows for early posts, all types of employers will be considered. This includes government employers – a type of employer not always eligible for early posts with other financial institutions.

How will I know if my direct deposit is posted early?

As with any major transaction, it is important that you stay informed and verify transaction information in online banking or the mobile app. You can set up different types of account alerts to inform you when an early direct deposit has been completed. For more information, visit the How To Set Up Alerts in Online Banking article in Ask Amplify.