U.S. Bank has rolled out automated direct deposit switching capabilities, allowing customers to connect or switch their payroll deposit account in near-real time.

The feature is available to U.S. Bank Smartly Checking or Safe Debit checking accounts and was launched last week in partnership with fintech Atomic to make it easier for clients to switch direct payroll deposits between their accounts or financial institutions, according to a U.S. Bank release.

Atomic’s backend technology and API connections reach more than 85% of the U.S. workforce, Jonathan Burns, senior vice president of digital sales at U.S. Bank, told Bank Automation News, noting, “That means between employers and payroll providers, we have the reach.”

When U.S. Bank customers finish their new checking account application process, they set up online login credentials and start the automated onboarding process, Burns said. During the process, clients are prompted to set up payroll direct deposit by selecting their payroll provider and corresponding employer account, which are available through Atomic.

“[Clients] then instantly receive confirmation that the payroll direct deposit has actually been successfully switched,” Burns said.

Switching direct deposit accounts used to involve paper forms and human resources approvals, he said.

“Now we’ve got it down to a simple matter of minutes … In a matter of a couple screens, it’s literally processing in real time on the backend and then giving real-time confirmation,” Burns said.

The program launch adds to the bank’s innovation efforts following its recent attendance at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, where U.S. Bank Chief Innovation Officer Don Relyea and Head of Applied Foresights Todder Moning explored new technologies, the pair told BAN last month.

“We’re always striving for innovation, so we’re constantly innovating,” Burns said. “This automated process, which is available in those digital channels, is another testament to that part of our overall strategy.”

Bank Automation Summit US 2023, March 2-3 in Charlotte, is a crucial event on automation technology in banking. U.S. Bank’s Senior Vice President of Payment Services Lauren Kenney will speak on the panel “Strategies for automating real-time payment processes.” Learn more and register for Bank Automation Summit US 2023.