Banking Checking Accounts

Best Banks That Pay up to 2 Days Early [2025]

These six banks allow you to get your direct deposits up to two days early while also offering perks like cash back, interest earnings, and no fees. Here's how early direct deposit works and where to find it.

Updated July 25, 2025
Fact check checkmark icon Fact checked

With early direct deposit, you may receive your money up to two days before you usually would. Early direct deposit can help you pay your bills before the deadline and also help you avoid overdraft fees, late fees, or returned checks.

Receiving your money earlier also means you can earn an extra couple of days worth of interest on your paycheck.

What is early direct deposit + how does it work?

Early direct deposit is offered at some banks and allows you to access your 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 this feature isn't universally available, plenty of banks have started offering early direct deposit for paychecks and government benefits as a way to entice new customers. 

Infographic describing how early direct deposit works compared to how banks typically process and release paycheck funds

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 insurance: 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 it is legitimate and know your money is protected.

Type of pay you receive: Consider what qualifies for early direct deposit. Do Social Security payments and tax refunds count for early pay, or only employer paychecks? Make sure the ways you get paid meet the qualifications for early access. Additionally, check for balance or activity requirements on your end.

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 to 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.

Cash back rewards: Some banks offer cash back on our purchases, similar to how you'd earn cash back on a credit card. While most banks we explored don't offer this feature, there are a select few that do, and their cash back rates are actually competitive with many credit cards. You won't get rich from this feature, but it's a nice way to earn a bit of extra cash for purchases you're already making.

Your preferred banking method: 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. 

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 it solves problems. If you use a bank's mobile app, read reviews to learn about frequent glitches or issues.

Featured checking account

5.0
info
Financebuzz awards badge

2025 award winner Best Checking and Savings Combo

SoFi Checking and Savings Benefits
  • Limited-Time Offer: Earn up to a $300 bonus and up to 4.00% APY on Savings (3.80% APY1with +0.20% APY Boost) for 6 Months on new accounts with direct deposit. Terms Apply.2
  • No account, overdraft, or monthly fees3
  • Get your paycheck up to two days early
  • Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3 million4
Open an account with SoFi® here

How we evaluate products

Compare banks with early direct deposit

Check out the best banks with early direct deposit to learn why we chose each option in our research.

Bank Direct deposit estimate Best for
SoFi Checking and Savings
SoFi®
Up to 2 days early5 High APY
Chime®
Chime®
6
Up to 2 days early7 Overdraft on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals

Discover
Up to 2 days early Earning cash back
Capital One 360 Checking
Capital One
Up to 2 days early8 Branch and ATM network
Current
Current
Up to 2 days early9 Building your credit
Varo
Varo
Up to 2 days early10 Cash advances

SoFi®

Best APY

SoFi Checking and Savings
5.0
info
Financebuzz awards badge

2025 award winner Best Checking and Savings Combo

  • Limited-Time Offer: Earn up to a $300 bonus and up to 4.00% APY on Savings (3.80% APY1with +0.20% APY Boost) for 6 Months on new accounts with direct deposit. Terms Apply.2
  • No account, overdraft, or monthly fees3
  • Get your paycheck up to two days early5
  • Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3 million4
Learn More
on SoFi's secure website

Account features
  • Minimum balance: $0
  • Monthly fee: $03
  • APY: Up to 3.80% with direct deposit11
  • FDIC insurance: SoFi is a Member FDIC (Cert. #26881)4

SoFi is a great choice for early direct deposit if you also want to earn some interest on your money. You'll get your direct deposits two days early when you sign up5. And just like a savings account would, SoFi's checking account pays you a small amount of interest on your funds.

In addition to not having any monthly service fees3 or minimums and offering fee-free overdraft coverage,12 SoFi has some other cool perks. It offers an automatic round-up of your debit card purchases and then transfers the money into your savings Vault — out of sight, out of mind.

Pros
  • Earns APY
  • Automatic round-ups
  • No monthly fees or minimums
  • Fee-free overdraft coverage
Cons
  • Overdraft coverage limited to $50
  • Overdraft coverage only with $1,000+ direct deposit set up

Visit SoFi® | Read our full SoFi Checking and Savings review.

Chime®

Best for overdraft on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals

Chime®
4.6
info
Financebuzz awards badge

2025 award winner Best for Bad or No Credit

  • No minimum balance, no monthly service fees13
  • Get your paycheck up to 2 days earlier with direct deposit7
  • Eligible Members can access fee-free overdraft up to $20014
  • 50K+ fee-free ATMs nationwide15
  • Automatic savings helps you grow your money faster16
Learn More
on Chime's secure website

Account features
  • Minimum balance: $0
  • Monthly fee: $013
  • APY: N/A
  • FDIC Insurance: Chime partners with Bancorp Bank, N.A. (Cert. #35444) and Stride Bank, N.A. (Cert. #4091), Members FDIC6

The Chime® Checking account is one we often recommend to people who often count down the days to their next paycheck, not only because it lets you get paid up to two days early with direct deposit but also because it offers better-than-most overdraft. You can get fee-free overdraft up to $200 with SpotMe® with monthly qualifying direct deposits of at least $200 to your Chime checking account,17 which can help you avoid fees and declined transactions if you can't wait to make a purchase until your pay hits your account. The direct deposit requirement is also pretty low to qualify for this.

While we wouldn't recommend making a habit of overdrafts, we understand that it happens — and Chime is more flexible about it than most institutions. SpotMe is also nice because it covers cash withdrawals in addition to debit card transactions, which is somewhat unusual.

Pros
  • Higher overdraft coverage limit than most institutions
  • SpotMe protects both debit card transactions and cash withdrawals
  • Can increase overdraft limit with help from friends who also have accounts
Cons
  • SpotMe limits start at $20
  • Account does not earn interest or rewards
  • The platform requests tips18 (which is not required)

Visit Chime | Read our full Chime review to learn more.

Discover

Best for earning cash back

4.5
info
Financebuzz awards badge

2025 award winner Best Online Checking Account

  • Earn up to $360 every year with 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month19
  • No minimum deposit, no minimum balance, and no account fees
  • Easily switch direct deposit via the Discover mobile app or online for Early Pay (get your paycheck up to 2 days early!)
  • 60K+ fee-free ATMs and make cash deposits at Walmart stores nationwide
  • FDIC Insured
Learn More
on Discover's secure website

Account features
  • Minimum balance: $0
  • Monthly fee: $0
  • APY: None
  • FDIC insurance: Discover Bank is a Member FDIC (Cert. #5649)
  • Reward rate: 1.00% back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month

With Discover® Cashback Debit account, you can get your paycheck up to two days early when you set up direct deposit with no other strings attached. This checking account, which has no fees or account minimums, combines the perks of a debit card with a cash back credit card. You'll get 1.00% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases every month.20 That's potential earnings of $30 per month and up to $360 per year.

I personally use a credit card for the vast majority of my spending to get points or cash back. But for the odd purchase that I have to make on my debit card, it would be nice to still have the opportunity to get a bit of cash back, even if it's not much.

Discover has one of the largest ATM networks on our list, with more than 60,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide. The account also offers overdraft services with no fees as long as you have a linked Discover savings or money market account.

Pros
  • Cash back on your spending
  • No fees or minimums
  • Fee-free overdraft protection
Cons
  • No APY
  • Limit on cash back earning

Visit Discover | Read our full Discover review to learn more.

Capital One

Best branch and ATM network

CapitalOne 360 Checking
4.9
info
Financebuzz awards badge

2025 award winner Best Overall Checking Account

  • Earn a $250 bonus by opening a 360 Checking account
  • No fees, no minimums
  • Terms Apply21
Learn More
on Capital One's secure website

Account features
  • Minimum balance: $0
  • Monthly fee: $0
  • APY: 0.10% (as of 04/28/25) on checking accounts
  • FDIC insurance: Capital One, National Association is a Member FDIC (Cert. #4297)

Capital One is the best option for anyone who values in-person access. It offers a respectable network of more than 70,000 fee-free ATMs, plus some physical branches you can visit in states like New York, Virginia, Louisiana, and Texas. While it doesn't have the largest branch network, Capital One offers more in-person accessibility than the other institutions we recommend.

Traditional banks don't always let you get paid early, but Capital One is an example of a big hybrid institution with some benefits of both traditional and online banking (it even claims it was the first major U.S. bank to offer early paychecks). To qualify for early direct deposit with Capital One 360 Checking, all you have to do is enroll in direct deposit. You can do this through the Capital One platform or your payroll provider. After you enroll, you could get your direct deposits up to two days early. Capital One doesn't guarantee you'll be eligible, but if you do qualify, you'll do so automatically (meaning, without having to make any special requests).

Pros
  • No monthly fees or minimums
  • Checking earns 0.10% (as of 04/28/25) APY
  • Fee-free overdraft protection
  • Some branches and a large ATM network
Cons
  • Fewer checking benefits than some online accounts
  • No ATM fee refunds for out-of-network transactions

Visit Capital One 360 Checking | Read our full Capital One 360 review to learn more.

Current

Best for building your credit

  • High APYs on up to $6,000 in savings
  • Online-only banking service22 offering individual and teen accounts
  • Get paid up to 2 days faster with direct deposit9
  • No monthly maintenance fees23
  • FDIC Insured through Choice Financial Group

Account features
  • Minimum balance: $0
  • Monthly fee: $024
  • APY: Up to a 4.00% bonus25
  • FDIC insurance: Current partners with Choice Financial Group and Cross River Bank, Members FDIC (Cert. #9423 and #58410, respectively)

In addition to its early direct deposit, Current also offers some other unique perks, one of which is its credit-building capabilities.229 The card you get with your account works as both a debit and credit card. You can use it for spending and ATM withdrawals, just like a debit card. But you can also earn points on it and use it to build your credit score, like a credit card.

Here's how it works: you spend money on your Build Card, which comes with your account. The money from your purchases and ATM withdrawals is set aside and then used to make payments, just like a credit card. Those payments are then reported to TransUnion.

A Current Spend account also offers seven times the points for purchases at qualifying businesses. There are currently more than 14,000 participating merchants.

Pros
  • Helps you build credit
  • Up to 7X points on your spending
  • No monthly fees or minimums
  • Fee-free overdraft protection
Cons
  • No APY
  • Fees for cash deposits
  • Not an FDIC-insured bank (FDIC insurance offered through third-party bank)

Visit Current | Read our full Current review to learn more.

Varo

Best for cash advances

Account features
  • Minimum balance: $0
  • Monthly fee: $0
  • APY: None on checking
  • FDIC insurance: Varo Bank, National Association is a Member FDIC (Cert. #59190)

Varo is an online-only bank that provides checking and savings accounts. In addition to its early direct deposit, one feature that sets Varo apart is its cash advances. If you're a Varo customer, you can get a cash advance between $250 and $500 for a small fee. Then, you'll pay it back within the next 30 days.

Another perk of Varo's checking account is you can earn up to 6% on your spending. No, you won't earn that much across the board. But you can earn cash back when you spend with any of Varo's partners. The money automatically goes right back into your checking account. Participating retailers include McDonald's, Macy's, Kohl's, Popeye's, Circle K, PetSmart, and more.

Pros
  • Offers cash advances
  • Up to 6% cash back
  • No monthly fees or minimums
  • Fee-free overdraft protection
Cons
  • Fees for cash deposits

Read our full Varo review to learn more.

Featured Checking Accounts

5.0
info
Financebuzz awards badge

2025 award winner Best Checking and Savings Combo

SoFi Checking & Savings - Earn Up to $300 When You Set Up Direct Deposit
Limited-Time Offer: Earn up to a $300 bonus and up to 4.00% APY on Savings (3.80% APY1with +0.20% APY Boost) for 6 Months on new accounts with direct deposit. Terms Apply.2 FDIC Insured.4
Learn More
4.9
info
Financebuzz awards badge

2025 award winner Best Overall Checking Account

Capital One 360 Checking
Learn More

FAQs

Does PNC pay 2 days early?

No, PNC does not currently offer early direct deposit. According to the PNC website, direct deposits should be available the same business day, while checks from a PNC account will be available the next day. For large deposits, $100 will be available the same business day, while the remainder may take until the next business day or longer to clear.

Does Bank of America offer early direct deposit?

No, Bank of America does not currently offer early direct deposit. Your deposit should be available on your regular pay date for direct deposit or within moments for other types of deposits, like person-to-person payments.

According to the Bank of America website, paper checks and mobile deposits should be available the next business day if deposited by 9 p.m. ET or 8 p.m. PT.

Banks that didn't make our list

While early direct deposit isn't exactly a universal feature yet, there are still plenty of banks that offer it. Alternatives we explored that didn't make the cut include banks that offer early direct deposit, but that didn't necessarily offer anything else to set them apart from the crowd. Examples of these include Axos Bank and Fifth Third Bank.

We also considered a few banks that have early direct deposit and maybe even a few other perks but charge fees on their accounts. These banks include Huntington Bank, Wells Fargo, and Regions Bank (though all have ways of having your fees waived). These days, there's just no reason to pay account fees when other banks offer the same perks with no fees.

Bottom line

Many banks offer early direct deposit as a standard feature on their checking accounts. When you're narrowing down the best option, make sure to pay attention to some of its other features, including monthly fees, minimum balances, interest earnings, and cash back.

4.9
info
Financebuzz awards badge

2025 award winner Best Overall Checking Account

Visit Capital One 360 Checking