To qualify for early access to your money with Bank of America's Direct Deposit Advantage, you need to set up a qualifying direct deposit. A qualifying direct deposit is one that meets the bank's requirements.
Direct deposits that are at least $250 per month qualify for the program. This means you'll get your money up to two days earlier than usual.
Qualifying for Early Services
To qualify for early direct deposit with Bank of America, not all direct deposits are eligible, so it's essential to check with the financial institution to see what requirements they have.
Direct deposits that are not eligible for early direct deposit include bank-to-bank transfers, as mentioned by Capital One 360's website.
There are also transaction limits and monthly deposit dollar limits for early processing, so it's crucial to review these before signing up for early direct deposit.
Early direct deposit is usually available for savings accounts and checking accounts, but not every financial institution will offer it for both types of accounts.
If you're interested in a high-yield savings account with Bank of America, make sure that it specifically qualifies for early direct deposit.
Account Options
If you're looking to avoid monthly service fees at Bank of America, you'll want to consider their Advantage Plus Banking account. This account waives the $12 monthly maintenance fee if you're an eligible student under 24, or if you receive a qualifying direct deposit of $250 or more.
To qualify for a direct deposit waiver, you'll need to have a total daily account balance of at least $1,500. Alternatively, you can also earn a waiver by enrolling in Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program.
Bank of America also offers an Advantage SafeBalance Banking account, which has its own set of pros and cons. This account doesn't have overdraft or insufficient funds fees, but it does come with a $100 opening deposit and a $12 monthly maintenance fee if you don't qualify for a waiver.
Here are some key account options to consider:
The ONE account, on the other hand, offers a no-fee option with no minimum opening deposit and no monthly service fees. However, it does have some limitations, such as only earning interest on up to a certain balance.
Early Services Features
Early direct deposit can put money into your account as soon as it's recognized, skipping the waiting period of a regular ACH transfer.
This can be a huge help for making automatic bill payments on time, avoiding overdraft fees, and reducing the need for credit card cash advances or other debt-accumulating measures.
You can expect the money to be deposited into your account a couple of days faster than usual, depending on payroll timing.
Not every direct deposit is eligible for early direct deposit, so be sure to check with your financial institution to see what requirements they have.
Some financial institutions, like Capital One 360, may not offer early direct deposit for certain types of deposits, such as bank-to-bank transfers.
There may also be transaction limits and monthly deposit dollar limits for early processing, so it's essential to review these details before signing up.
Both savings accounts and checking accounts are generally eligible for direct deposit, but not every institution offers early direct deposit for both types of accounts.
Fees and Savings
If you're considering opening a qualifying direct deposit account with Bank of America, you'll want to understand the fees involved. Bank of America's fees can add up quickly, but there are ways to avoid them.
To give you a sense of the fees, Bank of America's Account Fees section reveals that the bank has various fees associated with its accounts. You can avoid some of these fees by taking certain actions.
One way to avoid Bank of America's maintenance fees is to keep a certain amount of money in your account. According to the How to Avoid Bank of America's Maintenance Fees for Your Checking Account section, you can avoid the fee if you have a minimum balance.
You can also avoid fees by choosing the right account. The How Lower-Tier Bank of America Accounts Compare section suggests that lower-tier accounts may have fewer fees associated with them.
Here's a breakdown of the fees you might encounter with a qualifying direct deposit account:
Bank of America's fees can be complex, but understanding the options available to you can help you save money. By choosing the right account and following the bank's rules, you can avoid unnecessary fees and keep more of your hard-earned cash.
Advantage Relationship
Advantage Relationship is a great option if you're looking for a checking account that offers interest-bearing potential, overdraft protection, and no overdraft fees.
The required opening deposit is $100, and you'll also get a savings account with the same requirements.
You can earn interest on your account, but the APY will vary based on your location and the amount in your account.
With Advantage Relationship, you can add overdraft protection to your account, which is a big plus if you're worried about going overdrawn.
And the best part? No overdraft or insufficient funds fees.
The monthly maintenance fee is $25, but it can be waived if you meet certain requirements, such as maintaining a daily balance or having a qualifying direct deposit.
Here's a quick rundown of the benefits:
Setting Up and Forms
To set up a direct deposit with Bank of America, you can choose from multiple methods, but you'll need to provide information about yourself and your account. This includes your Bank of America account number and routing number.
You can find a Non-Federal Direct Deposit Enrollment Request Form on Bank of America's website or download a preprinted form through Online Banking. This form takes the place of a Bank of America voided check.
To complete the form, you'll need to provide your employer's name and address. This information is required for direct deposit setup.
What Is Needed?
To set up a direct deposit, you'll need a few key pieces of information. This includes your Bank of America account number and Bank of America routing number.
Your employer will also need their name and address on file. This information will be used to process your direct deposit payments.
How to Set Up
To set up a direct deposit with Bank of America, you'll need to provide information about yourself and your account, no matter which method you choose.
You can set up direct deposit with your employer's payroll system online, but if not, you'll need to fill out a Non-Federal Direct Deposit Enrollment Request Form, which can be found on Bank of America's website.
Alternatively, you can sign in to Online Banking and download a preprinted Bank of America direct deposit form, which takes the place of a Bank of America voided check.
To get started, you'll need the following information: your Bank of America account number, Bank of America routing number, and your employer's name and address.
Here's a quick rundown of the steps to set up a direct deposit from your employer:
- Fill out a Non-Federal Direct Deposit Enrollment Request Form.
- Alternatively, sign in to Online Banking and download a preprinted direct deposit form.
- Give the direct deposit form to your employer for processing.
By setting up a direct deposit, you can waive the monthly maintenance fee on your Bank of America Advantage Plus Banking checking account if you have at least one qualifying direct deposit of $250 or more made to your account each month.
Return
Bank of America does not recognize Capital One deposits as direct deposits, they're considered a transfer from your Capital One account.
BoA's terms for what qualifies as a direct deposit are quite specific, and a bank transfer doesn't count as income.
You can, however, use an Amex Serve account to receive a payroll direct deposit, and most banks likely code a Serve deposit as income.
This can help you avoid the $12 monthly fee with Bank of America, but it's not a guarantee for waiving the fee or getting the checking bonus.
Discover and Chase ACH pushes work for avoiding the monthly fee, but not for the bonus, whereas Amex Serve works for both.
Some people have reported getting their fees waived with Capital One deposits, but it's not a reliable method for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a qualifying direct deposit?
Qualifying direct deposits include income from employment, government benefits, pensions, annuities, and dividend payments
What is considered a qualifying direct deposit chase?
A qualifying direct deposit with Chase is an electronic deposit of your paycheck, pension, or government benefits from your employer or the government. This excludes person-to-person payments like Zelle.
Sources
- https://frequentmiler.com/bank-of-america-500-bonus-with-new-checking-account-no-direct-deposit-required/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/banking/bank-accounts-early-direct-deposit
- https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/bank-accounts/bank-of-america-fees/
- https://www.gobankingrates.com/banking/checking-account/how-to-set-up-bank-of-america-direct-deposit/
- https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Personal-Finance/Bank-of-America-Direct-Deposit/td-p/5051592
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