The basic steps: notify your employer, provide new account details, and confirm the change took effect
To move your direct deposit to a new bank account, you need to give your employer (or benefits administrator) your new account number and routing number, then wait for the next scheduled deposit to confirm it worked. The process itself takes minutes, but the timing depends on when your employer processes payroll and how long your old bank holds onto deposits after they arrive.
Most employers let you change direct deposit through their payroll portal, HR department, or a phone call. Some banks can also initiate the change on your end, though your employer still has to approve it. The key is starting early — ideally two to three weeks before you need the money in the new account — because payroll systems often batch changes and process them on a set schedule.
Key Takeaways
- You need your new bank's routing number and your new account number; both appear on a blank check or in your online banking portal.
- Contact your employer's payroll department, HR, or log into your payroll portal to submit the change; do not assume your bank can do it for you.
- The first deposit to your new account may take one to two pay cycles to arrive, so do not close your old account immediately.
- Confirm the change worked by checking your new account after the first deposit posts, then keep your old account open for at least one more pay cycle in case a deposit lands there by mistake.
Where to find your new routing and account numbers
Your new bank's routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies the bank itself. Your account number is unique to your specific account. Both appear on the bottom left of any check you write from that account — the routing number comes first, then the account number.
If you do not have checks yet, log into your online banking portal or mobile app; most banks display both numbers in the account details or settings section. You can also call your new bank's customer service line and ask them to read you both numbers over the phone. Write them down carefully — a single digit wrong will send your paycheck to the wrong place.
How to submit the change to your employer
Most employers offer three ways to change direct deposit: through a self-service payroll portal (like ADP, Workday, or Gusto), by submitting a form to your HR or payroll department, or by calling payroll directly. Start by checking whether your employer has an online portal — this is usually the fastest route and gives you a record of the change.
If your employer uses a paper form, ask HR or payroll to email it to you or pick it up in person. Fill in your new routing number and account number exactly as they appear, sign and date it, and submit it the same way you received it. If you call payroll, have your new account details in front of you and ask them to read back what they entered to confirm it is correct.
Some employers process payroll changes only on certain days of the week or month. Ask when the next processing window is; if you miss it, your change may not take effect until the following pay cycle.
What happens between submission and the first deposit
After you submit the change, your employer's payroll system updates your record, but the deposit does not go to your new account immediately. Most employers process payroll on a set schedule — weekly, biweekly, or monthly — and your new account details take effect on the next scheduled run after your submission is processed.
This means if you submit the change on a Wednesday and payroll processes on Friday, your next deposit (which may be one or two weeks away, depending on your pay schedule) will go to the new account. If you submit it after payroll has already processed for that cycle, the change takes effect on the following cycle.
During this waiting period, your old account is still active. If a deposit accidentally lands there, your old bank will hold it, and you can transfer it to your new account or ask your employer to reissue it. This is why you should not close your old account right away.
Confirming the deposit arrived in your new account
After your first scheduled deposit date passes, log into your new bank account and check whether the money arrived. Most deposits post within one business day of the scheduled date, though some banks take up to two business days to make the funds available for withdrawal.
If the deposit does not appear within two business days of the expected date, contact your new bank's customer service to confirm they received it. They can tell you whether the deposit is pending, whether there was an error in the routing or account number, or whether it never arrived at all. At the same time, check your old bank account to see if the deposit went there by mistake.
If the money landed in your old account, you can transfer it to your new account yourself using online banking, or ask your employer to reissue the check. If it did not arrive anywhere, contact your employer's payroll department immediately — they can trace the deposit and correct the routing or account number for the next cycle.
When to close your old bank account
Wait until at least two full pay cycles have passed and you have confirmed that deposits are consistently landing in your new account before you close your old one. This protects you in case a delayed deposit or automatic payment still tries to use the old account.
Before closing, check your old account for any remaining balance, set up any automatic bill payments that might still be linked to it, and make sure no employer, benefits program, or creditor is still sending money there. Some employers batch payroll changes and may take longer than expected to fully switch over.
When you are ready to close, contact your old bank and ask them to close the account. They will ask whether you want to keep the account open for a grace period (usually 30 to 90 days) to catch any stray deposits. Taking the grace period costs nothing and gives you a safety net.
What to do if the deposit goes to the wrong account
If your first deposit lands in your old account instead of your new one, the most likely cause is a data entry error in the routing or account number. Contact your employer's payroll department and ask them to verify what they have on file. If they entered it wrong, they can correct it for the next cycle.
While you wait for the next deposit, you can transfer the money from your old account to your new one using online banking, a mobile app transfer, or an in-person visit to either bank. Most transfers between banks take one to three business days. If you need the money immediately, withdraw it from your old account in cash and deposit it in your new account.
If the deposit went to a completely different bank or account (not your old one), contact your employer immediately. This is rare but can happen if the routing number was entered incorrectly. Your employer can file a trace with the receiving bank to recover the funds, though this process can take several weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my new bank set up direct deposit on their end without me contacting my employer?
Some banks offer a service where they contact your employer for you, but your employer still has to approve the change. Ask your new bank whether they offer this service. Even if they do, it is faster and more reliable to submit the change directly to your employer yourself.
What if I do not know my employer's payroll contact information?
Start with your HR department or employee handbook, which usually lists payroll contact details. If you work for a large company, check the internal employee portal or intranet. You can also ask a coworker or call your main company number and ask to be transferred to payroll.
How long does it take for direct deposit to switch over?
Submission to your employer takes minutes. The first deposit to your new account usually arrives within one to two pay cycles after you submit the change, depending on when your employer processes payroll. Confirmation that it worked takes one to two business days after the deposit date.
Will I lose money if the deposit goes to the wrong account?
No. If the deposit lands in your old account or the wrong account entirely, the money is still yours and can be transferred or recovered. Your employer can also reissue the check or deposit if needed. The process takes time but the funds do not disappear.
Do I need to update my direct deposit if I switch banks but keep the same account?
No. If you keep the same account number and routing number (which happens when you transfer accounts within the same bank), you do not need to notify your employer. The deposit will continue to work. Only submit a change if your routing number or account number actually changed.