For millions of Americans, financial anxiety is not just a concern but a pressing daily reality. According to the PYMNTS Intelligence “New Reality Check: The Paycheck-to-Paycheck” report, 65% of U.S. adults in March 2025 lived paycheck-to-paycheck, and 22% struggled to meet their monthly bills. Rising prices and unexpected expenses force many workers to make difficult decisions, and often, the solution comes at a high cost through payday loans or expensive short-term credit. 

Credit unions have a unique opportunity to be part of the solution. Earned Wage Access (EWA) enables workers to receive the wages they’ve already earned, and the RTP® network and FedNow® Service can facilitate these payments in real time — often the same day they work or immediately at the end of a shift. This benefit can alleviate financial stress, decrease reliance on high-interest payday loans, and build stronger financial relationships between credit unions, employers, and members. 

The Problem with Waiting for Payday 

American workers are often left in limbo in traditional weekly or biweekly pay cycles. 

• Unexpected expenses like car repairs or medical bills can cause major financial strain between paychecks. 
• Traditional ACH payroll leaves workers waiting days or weeks for the money they’ve already earned. 
• Short-term, high-cost loans fill the gap but increase financial insecurity over time. 

Workers today need — and increasingly expect — faster access to their earned money. 

The Solution: Immediate Payments for Earned Wages 

By being connected to immediate payment rails and able to receive immediate payments via the RTP network and FedNow Service, credit union members can take advantage of EWA opportunities offered by employers for the immediate availability of their funds. For instance, leading providers like DailyPay and Earnin already use these payment rails to support workers’ financial needs and deliver pay immediately after a shift.  

The benefits are clear: 

• Workers gain immediate access to funds they’ve already earned, a significant step toward financial stability, helping cover essential expenses without turning to predatory lenders. 
• Businesses offering EWA see higher employee satisfaction, reduced turnover, and stronger recruitment outcomes, which can lead to a more robust and stable workforce. Employers can also advertise same-day pay as a hiring edge. 
• Credit unions enabling these solutions build deeper, more trusted relationships with members who appreciate services that align with their financial realities. 

A Shift in Consumer Expectations: Instant is the New Standard

New research from PYMNTS Intelligence underscores a fundamental shift: 

• 41% of U.S. consumers reported receiving disbursements via instant payment methods in early 2025 — a fourfold increase from 2018. 
• More than 1 in 3 consumers receiving between $500 and $1,000 said they would pay a fee to receive their money instantly. 
• Consumers who prefer immediate payments are six times more likely to pay for the convenience of speed.

This isn’t just a trend — it’s a permanent evolution. EWA is just one use case of how immediate payments are impacting consumers in a meaningful way. Implementing immediate payments for EWA can serve as a gateway to other popular instant use cases, such as account-to-account and person-to-person transfers, digital wallet de/funding, emergency funds access, and 24/7 instant bill pay. In addition, real-time payment options are among the most in-demand capabilities for small businesses, as more than 80% of small businesses rank speed of payments as an important requirement, according to Datos Insights. 

In a world where consumers can have online purchases delivered the same day, the idea of waiting for earned wages is quickly becoming obsolete. Credit unions that embrace immediate payments are positioned to meet these rising expectations head-on. 

For credit unions, offering immediate payments over the RTP network and FedNow Service isn’t just about modernizing services — it’s about staying competitive, supporting member financial health, and strengthening community impact. Earned Wage Access through real-time payments is a game-changer. Credit unions that move now will meet member expectations and cement their role as trusted financial partners in a rapidly changing world. 

Let’s lead the way in delivering financial empowerment — instantly. To learn more about immediate payments on the RTP network and FedNow Service, please reach out to me at 866/MyCorp1 or tthomas@corporateone.coop. I would be happy to discuss how your credit union can progress into the world of immediate payments.