What Lee's Landing Port Deposit is
Lee's Landing Port Deposit is a service that lets you move your direct deposit from one bank or credit union to another without changing your employer's payroll information. Instead of asking your employer to update your account details, you redirect incoming deposits to a new account while keeping the old routing and account numbers active at your original bank.
The service works by intercepting deposits at your old bank and forwarding them to your new one. This means your paycheck arrives at the new account, but your employer's records stay unchanged. It's useful if you're switching banks mid-year, consolidating accounts, or moving to a credit union but need time to update everything with payroll.
Lee's Landing is one of several port deposit services available through different financial institutions. Not all banks offer it, and the specifics of how it works vary by provider, so you'll need to check with your current bank whether they support it and what the process looks like on their end.
Key Takeaways
- Lee's Landing Port Deposit lets your paycheck go to a new account without telling your employer, because the old bank forwards deposits automatically.
- You keep your original routing and account number active during the forwarding period, so payroll systems see no change.
- The service is temporary — it's meant to bridge the gap while you update your direct deposit information with your employer or while you're testing a new account.
- Not every bank offers port deposit, and fees, forwarding limits, and time windows vary, so contact your bank directly to learn what they support.
- Once you've updated your direct deposit with your employer, you should cancel the port deposit to avoid confusion or duplicate deposits.
How the forwarding process works
When you set up Lee's Landing Port Deposit, your old bank creates a rule that catches incoming direct deposits and sends them to your new account. The deposit still hits the old account first, but only for a moment — the bank's system recognizes it as a direct deposit and immediately transfers it to the new account you've designated.
Your employer's payroll system has no idea this is happening. From their perspective, the deposit went through normally to the routing and account number they have on file. The forwarding happens behind the scenes, so there's no delay in your paycheck reaching you — it just arrives at the new bank instead.
The time window for port deposit varies. Some banks offer it for 30, 60, or 90 days. Others may extend it if you request. You'll need to check with your bank about their specific window and whether you can renew it if you need more time.
When to use port deposit instead of updating payroll
Port deposit makes sense if you're switching banks but haven't had time to update your employer yet, or if you want to test a new account before committing to it as your main deposit destination. It's also useful if your employer's payroll system is slow to process changes, or if you're between jobs and want deposits to go somewhere new without notifying a previous employer.
It's not a permanent solution. Port deposit is a bridge — it's meant to last a few weeks or months while you handle the paperwork with your employer. If you leave it running too long, you risk confusion about where your money is going, or you might accidentally set up duplicate deposits if you update payroll while port deposit is still active.
If you're moving to a new employer, port deposit won't help, because you'll be giving the new employer your new account details anyway. Port deposit is only useful when the same employer keeps sending deposits to the same old account number.
Fees and limits
Most banks do not charge a fee for port deposit, but some do. The cost, if any, is usually small — a few dollars per month or a flat fee for the service. Some banks include it free as part of a checking account or as a courtesy when you're switching accounts.
There may also be limits on how many deposits can be forwarded or how much money can move through the service. These limits vary by bank. Contact your bank to ask whether there are caps on the number of deposits, the total amount, or the length of time you can use the service.
How to set up Lee's Landing Port Deposit
Start by logging into your old bank's online banking portal or calling their customer service line. Ask specifically whether they offer port deposit or a similar forwarding service. If they do, they'll walk you through the setup, which typically involves providing your new bank's routing number and your new account number.
You'll need to have your new account open and active before you set up the forwarding. The old bank will verify that the new account exists and that you own it. Some banks do this automatically; others may ask you to confirm the new account by depositing a small amount or verifying it through your new bank.
Once it's set up, test it with a small deposit if possible — ask your employer to process a manual check or wait for the next regular paycheck to confirm it lands in the new account. Then update your direct deposit information with your employer as soon as you can, and cancel the port deposit service once the update is complete.
What to do after you've updated payroll
Once your employer has confirmed that your direct deposit is now going to your new account, contact your old bank and cancel the port deposit service. This prevents any confusion if a deposit somehow still tries to route to the old account, and it closes out the forwarding arrangement cleanly.
If you cancel port deposit but a deposit still arrives at the old account, contact your old bank immediately. They can help you figure out whether the payroll update didn't go through or whether there was a delay in the system. Don't assume the money is lost — it's usually just a timing issue.
Keep your old account open for at least one or two pay cycles after you've switched, just in case a deposit lands there by mistake. Once you're confident all deposits are going to the new account, you can close the old account if you want to.
Alternatives if your bank doesn't offer port deposit
If your bank doesn't have a port deposit service, your main option is to update your direct deposit with your employer directly. Log into your company's payroll portal or contact human resources with your new routing and account number. Most employers can process the change within one or two pay cycles.
If you need the money to reach a new account before you can update payroll, some banks offer a temporary transfer service where they'll move deposits manually for a short time. Ask your new bank whether they have this option. It's less automated than port deposit but can work in a pinch.
Another option is to set up an automatic transfer from your old account to your new one each time you get paid. This isn't port deposit, but it accomplishes the same goal — your paycheck lands in the old account, and then you move it to the new one automatically. The downside is that it takes an extra day or two, and you have to remember to cancel the transfer once you've updated payroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my paycheck be delayed if I use port deposit?
No. The forwarding happens instantly on the bank's side, so your paycheck arrives at your new account on the same day it would have arrived at the old one. There's no extra processing time.
Can I use port deposit if I'm switching from one credit union to another?
It depends on whether both credit unions offer the service. Some do, some don't. Contact your current credit union and ask whether they support port deposit or a similar forwarding service. If they don't, ask about manual transfer options.
What happens if I forget to cancel port deposit after I've updated payroll?
If your employer has already updated their records, the deposit will go directly to your new account, and port deposit won't interfere. However, it's still a good idea to cancel it to avoid confusion and to close out the service properly with your old bank.
Can I use port deposit to send my paycheck to someone else's account?
No. Port deposit is designed to forward deposits to an account in your own name. Banks have fraud protections in place to prevent deposits from being redirected to accounts you don't own. If you need to send money to someone else, that's a separate transaction you'd handle after the deposit arrives.
How long does it take to set up port deposit?
Setup is usually immediate or takes one business day. Once you provide your new account information, the bank verifies it and activates the forwarding. You should be able to use it within a day or two, though some banks may take longer depending on their system.