Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) deposits payments to the payee’s U.S. bank account within two business days following final approval in the Berkeley Financial System (BFS). Because EFT is more secure and convenient than paper checks, it is a preferred payment method.

The process for authorizing EFT depends on the type of payee. Please refer to the following sections for information and instructions for UC Berkeley students, employees, and suppliers.

UC Berkeley Students

UC Berkeley Employees

Faculty and staff employees can establish and revise their salary direct deposit instructions through UCPath. An employee’s salary direct deposit bank information entered in UCPath is automatically linked to the Berkeley Financial System (BFS) deposit information for the employee. Reimbursements (e.g. travel, entertainment, miscellaneous business expenses) and other non-salary payments issued through BFS will be directly deposited to the same bank account as that maintained for salary in UCPath. When employees update their salary direct deposit banking information in UCPath, the information will also be updated in BFS for reimbursement purposes. No additional action is required by the employee or department when an employee wants salary and reimbursements to be directly deposited to the same bank account.

If an employee wants to receive a paper check for reimbursements or to have reimbursements deposited to a different bank account than their salary direct deposit bank account, they should “opt-out” of the automatic update process:

  • To opt-out of the automatic update process and receive a paper check, please send an email to disburse@berkeley.edu
    • Please include the employee’s name and employee number with specific instructions indicating they are electing to opt-out of the employee EFT update process and wish to receive paper checks for reimbursements
  • To opt-out of the automatic update process and use a different bank account for reimbursements, please complete the Domestic Supplier Update Information form found on the Updating Existing Suppliers page
    • Please enter your employee ID number as the supplier ID number

In these opt-out situations, any changes an employee may make to their UCPath (salary direct deposit) bank account will not affect their BFS (reimbursements) bank account or receipt of paper checks.

Please note that petty cash custodians, as required by policy, will continue to receive BFS reimbursements by paper check regardless of their payment method preferences in UCPath.

Student employees are not affected by this process. Student employees may continue to establish or revise their salary direct deposit instructions through UCPath. Students may continue to set up or make changes to their banking information through UC Berkeley Direct Deposit for purposes of receiving reimbursements and/or fellowship payments via EFT.

If you have any questions, please email disburse@berkeley.edu.

UC Berkeley Suppliers

To authorize Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), please complete the Domestic Supplier Information Update form, which is available on the Updating Existing Suppliers page along with other information and resources. When designating a checking or savings account, you must provide an image of a voided check or a confirmation letter from your bank verifying your name, the bank routing number, and account number. Incomplete forms will not be processed. Please allow 7 to 10 business days from our receipt of the form for EFT to be established.

Please note:

  • The bank you designate must be located in the United States
  • We cannot set up EFT to investment firms that use an intermediary bank
  • An email notification will be sent when a payment is issued
  • Most payments are deposited within 2 business days
  • If you close your bank account, you must notify us of your new account information by submitting a new Supplier Update form
  • EFTs returned by the bank as undeliverable will be reissued in a paper check and mailed to the address on file
  • You may revoke your EFT authorization at any time by submitting a new Supplier Update form

Privacy Notification

Pursuant to the Federal Privacy Act of 1974, you are hereby notified that disclosure of your Social Security Number is mandatory. Disclosure of the Social Security Number is required pursuant to sections 6011 and 6051 of Subtitle F of the Internal Revenue Code and with Regulation 4, Section 404 1256, Code of Federal Regulations under Section 218, Title II of the Social Security Act, as amended. The Social Security Number is used to verify your identity. The principal uses of the number may include the reporting of (1) state and federal income taxes withheld, (2) Social Security contributions, (3) state unemployment and Worker's Compensation earnings, (4) earnings and contributions to participating retirement systems, and (5) as an identifier for your insurance carrier to verify your eligibility and to maintain claim records for you and your eligible dependents.

The State of California Practices Act of 1977 (effective July 1, 1978) requires the university to provide the following information to individuals who are asked to supply information about themselves:

The primary purpose for requesting information on this form is to acquire authorization to disburse payments directly to a financial institution of your choice. Furnishing all information on this form is mandatory, and failure to provide such information will delay or even prevent completion of the action for which the form is intended. The office responsible for maintenance of the information on this form is the Accounts Payable Office.