Guide

How to split your direct deposit between two banks

You don't have to move your whole paycheck to get a bank bonus. Most payroll systems let you send a set amount to a second account, and the rest keeps going to your main bank.

Step by step

1. Open the new checking account and find its routing and account numbers (usually under account details in the app).
2. Log in to your payroll portal. It's often ADP, Workday, Gusto, Paychex or Paycom. Look for "Pay," "Direct deposit" or "Payment elections."
3. Add a new account and enter the routing and account numbers.
4. Choose a fixed dollar amount for the new account, for example $1,000. Leave the remainder going to your main account.
5. Save. Changes usually take effect in one or two pay cycles, so set it up as soon as the account is open.

Tips that save bonuses

• Pick a dollar amount, not a percentage, so you hit the bank's minimum exactly.
• Check your first paycheck after the change to confirm the money landed in the new account.
• When the requirement is met, move that amount to the next bank in your plan or back to your main account.
• No payroll portal? Ask your HR or payroll team for a direct deposit form. It takes a minute.

Not sure how much each bank needs? Every bank page lists the exact amount from the bank's own terms.