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Payroll Debit Cards Pluses for Employees and Employers in 2024 – Part Two

April 19, 2024 Kevin Kenealy payroll debit cards Comments Off on Payroll Debit Cards Pluses for Employees and Employers in 2024 – Part Two
Payroll Debit Cards Pluses for Employees and Employers in 2024 – Part Two

Payroll debit cards are a hot topic these days. Companies and employees both have lots of questions. How do payroll debit cards work? What are the benefits? Do employees have to use them?

This post will break it all down for you!

Save Some Cash, Pay Your Team in a Flash

First up, payroll debit cards save you money. Say bye-bye to the cost of paper checks and postage. With cards, your payroll service probably charges less per employee per pay period. Cha-ching!

Your people get their money way faster too. On payday, funds land instantly in their account instead of them having to wait around for a check. Sweet, right? No more expensive check cashing. People can use their card to get cash from ATMs. And they can shop online or swipe their card like a credit card. Useful? Heck yes!

Debit Cards Are Super Handy

I don’t know about you, but I love the convenience of paying with a little piece of plastic instead of cash. Well, payroll debit cards give your staff that same ease of use. They can tap their card to pay at checkout. Shop online. Pay bills electronically. All things tough to do with a paper check.

Remote workers will really appreciate payroll debit cards. No need to mail them checks way out in Timbuktu. The money just lands in their account on payday. Easy peasy! And not having to carry around loads of cash? Awesome sauce! The card gives them access to their dough anywhere major credit cards are accepted.

Keep Track of Your Dough on the Go

With payroll debit cards, your people get fancy online and mobile apps to monitor their balances and transactions. They can keep tabs on their money from their phones! The apps make it a cinch to catch any weird charges or errors too.

Say your employee has a question about a fee or charge. They can just ring up customer support for help. Payroll debit cards give your staff tons of control and visibility over their hard-earned pay.

Help Your Unbanked Employees

Got people on your team who don’t have traditional bank accounts? Payroll debit cards are a total game changer for them. No more insane check cashing fees! They can access their full pay, save money, and avoid carrying piles of cash around.

The cards give the convenience of electronic payments to employees who otherwise couldn’t get it. Having the card builds up their payment history too. All useful steps towards financial security. Pretty neat, huh?

Perks for The Employer 

Ok, beyond the obvious convenience and cost savings, some payroll companies throw in extra incentives for employers too. You might score discounted fees for enrolling a certain percentage of your team in the payroll card program.


Payroll Debit Cards Pluses for Employees and Employers in 2024 – Part One

April 17, 2024 Kevin Kenealy payroll debit cards Comments Off on Payroll Debit Cards Pluses for Employees and Employers in 2024 – Part One
Payroll Debit Cards Pluses for Employees and Employers in 2024 – Part One

Payroll debit cards allow companies to pay their employees electronically by depositing funds onto a card account. This payment method offers advantages like convenience and lower costs compared to paper checks, but also has potential drawbacks like fees. This article examines the key pros and cons of payroll cards for both employers and employees.

Benefits for Employers

Payroll debit cards provide several benefits for companies and organizations that use them to pay staff.

Lower Payroll Processing Costs

One of the biggest appeals of payroll cards for employers is that they can substantially reduce payroll administration costs and expenses. With payroll debit cards, companies avoid the cost of issuing paper checks, including expenses for check stock, postage, mailing supplies, and manual processing. Instead, payroll funds are directly deposited into each employee’s card account electronically. This automatic process is much more efficient than paper checks. According to Mercator Advisory Group estimates, payroll cards can lower payroll processing costs by 50% to 80%.

Improved Accuracy and Reliability

Payroll debit cards also improve the accuracy and reliability of pay delivery. Paper checks can get lost, stolen, or delayed in the mail. Employees may forget to cash checks. But with payroll cards, once the employer loads the payroll funds, the money is instantly available in each worker’s account on payday. There are no physical checks to keep track of. Payroll debit cards ensure employees consistently get paid on time.

Pay Equity and Access

Another advantage for employers is that payroll debit cards give all employees equal access to their wages on payday. Everyone receives funds at the same time in their own accounts, rather than having to pick up paper checks individually. This promotes pay equity in the workplace.

Potential Drawbacks for Employers

While clearly beneficial in many ways, there are some potential concerns about payroll cards that employers should also consider:

  • Could require employee training on how to use cards
  • May initially encounter resistance from employees hesitant about cards
  • Need to ensure good communication about any fees

Overall though, the advantages significantly outweigh the drawbacks from an employer perspective.

Benefits for Employees

Along with advantages for companies, payroll debit cards also offer some clear benefits for employees.

Immediate Access to Earned Wages

One of the biggest advantages of payroll cards for employees is immediate access to wages on payday. With cards, funds are directly deposited into the account and available instantly. Employees don’t have to wait for a check in the mail, make a trip to cash the check, or wait for it to clear at the bank. Payroll debit cards enable quick access to earned money.

Safer than Carrying Cash

Since funds are loaded onto payroll cards electronically, employees don’t have to carry large amounts of cash after cashing a check. Debit cards are much safer than handling cash. Payroll card balances are also FDIC insured in case of bank failure. Plus the cards can be replaced if lost or stolen. These protections make payroll debit cards a more secure option than paper checks.

Spend Anywhere Like a Debit Card

Payroll debit cards function similarly to standard debit cards attached to a checking account. Employees can use them to make purchases at merchants, pay bills online or by phone, get cash back at stores, and withdraw cash at ATMs. The wide acceptance of debit cards gives payroll card users convenient payment flexibility.

Potential Drawbacks for Employees

There are also some possible downsides of payroll debit cards that employees should be aware of:

  • Can have fees for certain transactions like out-of-network ATM use
  • Direct deposit not available if switching jobs
  • Unused funds may expire if account is inactive for an extended time

While these issues deserve consideration, for most employees the positives of convenience and quick access to wages outweigh the negatives. But it is important for workers to understand any fees and usage restrictions that may apply to a particular payroll card program.

Overall, payroll debit cards offer significant benefits of efficiency, convenience and cost savings for many employers and employees. But balancing these advantages against potential drawbacks depends on the specific implementation and use of payroll card programs. Careful analysis is needed to determine if this payment option makes sense for a company and its workforce.


Payroll Debit Cards – The Pluses and Minuses Spelled Out for 2022 and Beyond

November 2, 2022 Kevin Kenealy payroll debit cards Comments Off on Payroll Debit Cards – The Pluses and Minuses Spelled Out for 2022 and Beyond
Payroll Debit Cards - The Pluses and Minuses Spelled Out for 2022 and Beyond by The Payroll Company

Employees have an additional option, in the form of payroll cards, to get their pay safely and electronically. This eliminates the need for employees to cash checks, which may be a headache and expensive. Processing payroll electronically using ACH is more convenient for employees and more cost-effective for firms. Employees who access their salary through check cashing services should avoid direct deposit since it is more suitable for them to utilize check cashing services than maintaining regular bank accounts. A recent survey about how America does its banking conducted by the FDIC found that 7.1 million households in the United States still do not have access to a bank.

Even if it’s just a tiny batch of checks, the expense of printing and mailing paychecks through traditional payroll services may add up to a significant amount for the company. Traditional payroll services include:

  • Employers can provide alternate forms of payroll to staff members who do not have access to bank accounts, which are required to establish direct payments.
  • Employees are provided with a solution that relieves them of the stress of printing checks while also giving them a handy choice in the form of payroll cards.

 The following outlines various advantages and disadvantages associated with payroll cards. 

Advantages of Using Payroll Cards

Your payroll system may become more efficient, secure, and convenient for employees by providing them with payroll cards. Think about the advantages that come with having a payroll card for employees:

  • Financing in real-time. Your staff members will have immediate access to the monies on payday due to them.
  • It is simple to use. You may make purchases with a payroll card everywhere debit cards are accepted. The card allows employees to make electronic bill payments, shop online or in-store, or withdraw cash from ATMs.
  • There are no additional charges added to purchases. Employees are not subject to other costs when making transactions using their cards. The creation of convenience checks is one example of an activity that could result in an additional charge.
  • Added layers of protection. Payroll cards are a safe and convenient alternative to handing out cash or cheques. Cardholders receive all the benefits of Visa’s zero liability program, including protection against fraud. If a payroll card is misplaced or stolen, the remaining amount on the card can be cancelled, and a replacement card can be produced.

Drawbacks Associated with Payroll Cards

Payroll cards come with a few downsides you and your employees must be aware of before implementing them. When evaluating the various alternatives for payroll services, it is essential to take into consideration the limits of payroll cards:

  • Cards that have been lost or stolen. Employees may still be concerned about the ramifications of losing a card loaded with their wages even if there are security precautions in place and there is no accountability for the company. Employees may feel burdened by the processes required to report a lost card, the time needed to obtain a new card, and the possibility of incurring costs for issuing a replacement card.
  • There are fees associated with some transactions. Employees may be subject to additional charges for cash withdrawals made from ATMs, convenience checks, and overdrafts, depending on the payroll card programme they use. The disclosure to employees, by the regulations, of any costs associated with payroll card schemes is required.

Answers to Your Payroll Questions for Your Company

When you work with The Payroll Company, you will have complete authority over your payroll card program and access to a devoted support team for advice and assistance with payroll-related matters. Find out more information about the payroll card services available for your employees.


Payroll Debit Cards Explained: Does It Make Sense For Your Company To Provide Them to Your Employees?

December 6, 2021 Kevin Kenealy payroll debit cards Comments Off on Payroll Debit Cards Explained: Does It Make Sense For Your Company To Provide Them to Your Employees?
Payroll Debit Cards Explained - Does It Make Sense For Your Company To Provide Them to Your Employees

For employees who don’t want or have access to a bank account, payroll debit cards can be an excellent way of managing their finances. Their use continues to grow by leaps and bounds; in recent years 28.5% businesses reported they used these type payments while only 2 percent did four years ago.

This is largely because there are many benefits that come along with offering them, such as ease-of-use for both employer and employee alike (especially now).

It’s important though, when providing access, you understand how it works.

What Is a Payroll Debit Card?

What if the boss was a genius?

Each payday, the employee’s wages or other dues are deposited into this reloadable payroll debit card in a reliable, predictable way. The card is linked to your nominated financial institution or bank.  No need to worry about a hole in your wallet – your credits and debits are all held in one simple card.

Using debit payroll cards is great because they let you access money from anywhere at any time. You can use it like an ATM or debit card, make online purchases or bill payments without worrying about getting paid on time!

The payment network’s logo is branded to the payroll debit card, and you can use the card anywhere that payment network is accepted (Mastercard or Visa, for example). 

The card does carry a limit, and employees can spend only up to the limit available on the card.

Personalized Payroll Debit Cards

Payroll debit cards are typically personalized, meaning they carry the employee’s name. Each payday, employee’s wages are load onto the person’s personal payroll debit card.

Instant Issue Cards

Payment is made by issuing an instant issue payment form that can be used for:

  • Final pay to terminated employees
  • Payments given out as new hires wait on their new personalized card
  • Payment to employees who are waiting for a replacement due to a lost card
  • Flexible/portable cards

Portable payroll debit cards let you add money from other sources, like a second employer or tax refunds. The employee can continue using the portable card even if they change employers.

Note:  If your card is not portable, you will be unable to use it once the balance hits zero, and it will not accept funds from any source after this.

How Do Direct Deposit and Payroll Debit Cards Differ?

Direct deposit is a great way to ensure your pay-check lands in the right account. The employee must first provide their employer with all essential information, including personal and work-related details.

Employees can set up direct deposits so that on payday – instead of getting paid physically through checks – you will receive those funds electronically. You can also allocate different portions of pay between accounts, for example 50% of your pay-check into your “working” account and the rest into your savings.

To offer payroll debit cards, the employer goes through a third-party vendor. This can be any type of financial institution or card provider that works with one. It’s their job to set up a pooled account for the employer, as well as establish individual sub-accounts for each employee.

It should be noted that the sub-account belongs to the employee, and therefore it cannot be accessed by the employer, nor can the employer view the employee’s transactions on their payroll debit card.

Employees have the choice of allocating their full net pay or a partial part of it to their payroll debit card.  Employees may also have an option to transfer from their payroll debit card to their personal account, depending on the payroll debit card provider’s terms and conditions.


The Big Pluses of Payroll Debit Cards in 2020

June 5, 2020 Kevin Kenealy payroll debit cards, payroll debit cards in 2020 Comments Off on The Big Pluses of Payroll Debit Cards in 2020 ,

Payroll Debit Cards in 2020

The Big Pluses of Payroll Debit Cards in 2020 by The Payroll Company 505-944-0105

In 2020 private companies are issuing payroll debit cards to employees to pay them. There are state regulations on payroll debit cards created to cover the rights of employees that employers must comply with. Prepaid debit cards are also used to provide access to unemployment payments. There are several states that issue unemployment benefits debit cards, which are reloadable. Payroll Debit cards are provided quite often to employees that do not have access to a bank account for one reason or another.  

How Payroll Debit Cards Operate

Much like a debit card connected to a bank account set up with direct deposit of payroll, payroll debit cards operate the same way. The only difference between the two is that only funds from payroll can be deposited onto a payroll debit cards, which is unlike a bank account with a debit card. Each payday, the payroll due to an employee are added to the payroll debit card, which has immediate availability. The payroll debit card can be used to access cash at ATM machines, and it can be used to pay for services like rideshare or for goods like groceries. Cash can be drawn out at an ATM with no fee being charged, just so long as it is done at in network bank ATM machine.  

Payroll Debit Card Regulations

Regulations on payroll debit cards are more like the regulation for debit cards compared to retail all-purpose reloadable debit cards for sale at retail stores. The fact is they are looked at as a prepaid debit card and not a regular bank account debit card. Retail reloadable debit cards have no regulations covering a consumer’s liability for any charges on the card that were not authorized. Debit cards and payroll debit cards have the protections when it comes to liability. Payroll debit card providers are mandated by law to provide the structure of their fees and provide a process in writing to customer dispute resolution. However, retail reloadable debit cards do not have the same requirements. Both payroll debit card and regular bank debit card providers by law may not make any updates to their card agreement terms without providing notice 21 days in advance. Retail preloaded debit card issuers can make changes to their card agreement terms without providing notice of any kind.

Payroll Debit Card Pluses

The advantages of payroll debit cards compared to paper paychecks are numerous. The most apparent plus is a payroll debit card can be used anywhere anytime and a paper check has be cashed at a bank or check cashing business, which most of the time means a fee must be paid when the check is cashed. The next plus is that the company saves time and money on payroll because it does not have to take the time to print checks and hand them out and it does not have to pay an employee to process and print payroll checks and hand them out directly to each employee. A third plus is that because payroll checks are not being printed it saves the company money on ink and it helps our planets ecology because a tree was not need to provide the paper to print the check on. Each state has regulations about issuing payroll checks or payroll debit cards. Check to see what your state’s regulations are about how you can issue payroll so you stay in compliance with your state’s payroll laws and regulation.

All in all payroll debit cards have their place in 2020. Preferably small business are better off issuing payroll through direct deposit, but one of the next best things is to issue payroll using debit cards.


Benefits of Payroll Debit Cards for Employees and Employers in 2019 – Part Two

May 17, 2019 Kevin Kenealy payroll debit cards, payroll processing, payroll processing company Comments Off on Benefits of Payroll Debit Cards for Employees and Employers in 2019 – Part Two ,
payroll-debit-card-for-wages-the-payroll-company-albuquerque-nm-505-944-0105

Companies need to check to see if there are extra fees assessed to employees when issuing payroll themselves via debit card and when choosing a payroll processing company offering pay debit card program. Companies need to offer several ways for company employees to receive their pay. A company is not allowed by law to require employees to receive pay solely by payroll debit card. Employees must be provided several options as to how they receive their wages, not just via debit check card. It has been reported over recent years that some employers didn’t do this for their employees, which is against the law. In response the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a bulletin covering legal regulations covering payroll cards. The main points on the bulletin were as follows:

  • Fee Documentation – Documentation must be provided of fees
    charged by the issuing bank to the employee related the EFTs (electronic fund
    transfers) and written explanation about liability limits.
  • Account Records Access – Regular statements must be given to
    card holders by payroll debit card issuers electronically online or telephonically
    providing account transaction history and fees charged.
  • Unauthorized Transfer Liability Limits – Employee’s limit of
    liability for use not granted if reported within a specific written time period.
  • Rights to Resolution for Errors – Payroll debit card financial
    institution mandated response to card holder within 6 months of occurrence of mistake
    or error.

Several different organizations over recent years have provided
statements about the pluses of wages being disbursed to employees via payroll
debit cards and regarding the top ways for employers to make the most of the
program for their employees. The top recommendations included issuing pay without
fees being charged (employer pays the fees) and to provide the wages using the
top credit card brands such as VISA, MASTERCARD and DISCOVER. Employers must also
give complete documentation of fees employees may incur.

Payroll debit cards are a big part of
providing payroll to employees today that do not have a bank account. Operated
correctly, payroll debit cards provide wages at a low cost with speed, easy and
convenience to employees. The program helps both the employer and employee work
together efficiently. Look today with your local payroll company to see if your
company can save money and improve its payroll process each month by starting a
payroll debit card program as part of its payroll disbursement options.


Benefits of Payroll Debit Cards for Employees and Employers in 2019 – Part One

May 17, 2019 Kevin Kenealy payroll debit cards, payroll processing company Comments Off on Benefits of Payroll Debit Cards for Employees and Employers in 2019 – Part One ,
payroll-debit-card-for-wages-the-payroll-company-albuquerque-nm-505-944-0105

Payroll debit cards are written about negatively from time to time in the press, but it doesn’t mean this relatively new device for delivering payroll should be done away with by companies using them issue wages to employees. Virtually every consumer transaction today to make purchases of goods and services can be done with a debit card. Cash still works, but you cannot use it very easily to purchase a plane ticket for example. Payroll debt cards have both pluses and minuses for employees and employers, but they are widely accepted and provide a huge advantage for a lot reasons. Paying wages through payroll debit cards can be issued by employers themselves or through a payroll processing company.

Advocates talk about how payroll debit cards to employers as a method to lower payroll expenses and improve company effectiveness. With delivery of payroll on a payroll debit card on payday each employee receives their pay via direct deposit on the card. This method makes it easy for companies to reconcile their payroll bank account. Getting rid of printing payroll checks and mailing or handing them out generates direct savings for companies with respect to costs, time and elimination of payroll checks never arriving or getting stolen. Payroll debits cards are a game changer for company payroll processing because they level the playing field for all employees when it comes to payday because everyone gets paid the same time with wages available to all immediately without the need accept a paper paycheck and then go to the bank or a check cashing place and cash it. Payroll debit card programs offered by payroll processing companies in some instances do have fees, making it unfair to employees receiving pay on a payroll debit card.

Payroll debit cards are part of the new era of doing everything electronically. When done right, they provide a convenient and a cost-effective way of delivering payroll and one that is mutually beneficial to both employers and their workforce. Investigate how much money your company can potentially save by implementing a payroll card program and learn how it can streamline your payroll processing.


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