Change your bank account through the Paylocity employee portal
Log into your Paylocity account, go to the Pay section, and select Direct Deposit. From there, you can add a new bank account, remove an old one, or change which account receives your paycheck. The system will ask for your routing number and account number — you can find both on a blank check or by calling your bank. Paylocity will verify the new account by depositing two small test amounts (usually under $1 each) within one to two business days, then ask you to confirm those amounts in the portal to complete the setup.
The change takes effect on your next pay cycle after verification is complete. If you need the change to happen before your next scheduled payday, contact your payroll administrator — they may be able to process it manually, though this depends on your company's payroll schedule and policies.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your direct deposit bank account yourself through the Paylocity employee portal under Pay > Direct Deposit.
- Paylocity verifies new accounts by depositing two small test amounts and asking you to confirm them, which takes one to two business days.
- Your new bank account becomes active on the next pay cycle after verification is complete.
- If you need the change before your next payday, ask your payroll administrator whether they can process a manual change.
- You will need your routing number and account number from your bank to add a new account.
What information you need before you start
Gather your new bank's routing number and your account number. Both appear on the bottom left of a blank check — the routing number is the first set of nine digits, and the account number follows it. If you do not have checks, call your bank's customer service line or log into your online banking portal; most banks display both numbers in the account details section.
You will also need to know whether the account is a checking or savings account. Paylocity asks you to specify this when you enter the account information.
Step-by-step: adding a new direct deposit account
Open Paylocity and log in with your employee credentials. Click Pay in the main menu, then select Direct Deposit. You will see a list of any accounts already set up. Click the button to add a new account (usually labeled Add Account or New Account).
Enter your bank's routing number, your account number, and the account type (checking or savings). Double-check both numbers — a single digit wrong will cause verification to fail. Click Save or Submit. Paylocity will show you a confirmation screen with the account details you entered.
Within one to two business days, your bank will show two small deposits (typically $0.01 to $0.99 each) from Paylocity. Log back into the Paylocity portal, go to Direct Deposit, and enter the exact amounts of both deposits in the verification field. Once you confirm the amounts, the account is verified and ready to use.
Removing an old bank account
You can delete an old account from the Direct Deposit section once a new account is verified and active. Click the account you want to remove and select Delete or Remove. Paylocity will ask you to confirm the deletion. Once removed, no future paychecks will go to that account.
If you delete an account before setting up a new one, your next paycheck may not process — your payroll administrator will need to manually issue it or help you set up a temporary deposit method. Avoid deleting your current account until the new one is fully verified.
What happens if verification fails
If Paylocity cannot verify your account after two business days, the most common reason is a typo in the routing or account number. Log back into the portal, check both numbers against your bank statement or online banking, and correct any errors. Paylocity will send two new test deposits within one to two business days.
If the account number is wrong at your bank (for example, if you entered a savings account number but told Paylocity it was checking), contact your bank to confirm the correct number and account type, then update it in Paylocity. If you still cannot verify after a second attempt, contact your payroll administrator — they can check whether there is a system issue or help you troubleshoot with your bank.
Timing: when the new account takes effect
Your new bank account becomes active for direct deposit on the first pay cycle after verification is complete. If you verify the test deposits on a Wednesday and your company pays on Friday of the same week, that Friday's paycheck will still go to your old account. The new account will receive your next scheduled paycheck.
If you need the change to take effect sooner, contact your payroll administrator as soon as you start the process. Some companies can manually redirect a paycheck or issue it by check instead, but this depends on when you request it relative to your payroll cutoff date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have my paycheck split between two bank accounts?
Yes. In the Direct Deposit section, you can set up multiple accounts and specify what percentage or dollar amount of your paycheck goes to each one. For example, you could send 70 percent to checking and 30 percent to savings. Each account must be verified separately before the split takes effect.
What if I enter the wrong account number?
Paylocity will send two test deposits to the account number you provided. If that number belongs to someone else or is invalid, the deposits will either fail or go to the wrong place. Delete the account from your portal immediately and add the correct one. Contact your payroll administrator if you are unsure whether the deposits went through.
Do I need to tell my employer when I change my bank account?
No — you can change it yourself through Paylocity without notifying anyone. However, if you need the change to take effect before your next regular pay cycle, you will need to contact your payroll administrator or HR to see if they can process it manually.
How long does it take for a new bank account to start receiving paychecks?
One to two business days for verification, then your next scheduled pay cycle. If you verify on a Monday and your company pays on Friday, your new account will receive the following week's paycheck, not that Friday's.
What if my bank account is closed after I set it up in Paylocity?
Your next paycheck will be rejected by the bank and returned to your employer. Your payroll administrator will contact you to set up a new account or issue the paycheck by check. Update your bank account information in Paylocity as soon as possible to avoid delays.