SAG-AFTRA's Residuals Direct Deposit Available Nationwide May 1

LOS ANGELES – SAG-AFTRA today announced that after successfully testing their residuals direct deposit process with local members across the country, automated residual payments will be available to all eligible members nationwide as of May 1, 2019. 
 
The union has been leading efforts to make direct deposit of residuals a reality. Working with respected partners like Exactuals (now a part of City National Bank), and other industry partners, SAG-AFTRA has put into place the infrastructure and run pilot programs nationwide to ensure a secure, stable, and high-quality experience that will allow members to receive residual payments and statements quicker and easier than ever before.
 
“SAG-AFTRA is very proud to be a leader in bringing this landmark process to fruition,” said SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris. “The secure, efficient direct deposit of residuals is a remarkable achievement involving innovations and behind-the-scene changes to the industry’s status quo. It’s the latest in a series of initiatives the union is undertaking, modernizing how we work with our employers and service our members.”
 
“As we move forward in the digital era, SAG-AFTRA will continue to embrace ways to create efficiency for the union and its members. This is an exciting member-led achievement for our union and we are thrilled to expand this program to our membership nationwide,” said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White. “By leveraging technology and process innovation, this effort represents an opportunity for the entire industry to advance in practical, common sense ways.”
 
SAG-AFTRA processes over four million residuals checks for 270,000 people per year. Direct deposit payments of residuals will reduce the union’s carbon footprint by eliminating the need to mail paper checks, while providing members access to their residuals statements 24/7 through the SAG-AFTRA website. 
 
Residuals payments received from studios and payroll houses will be distributed electronically at least once a week to the bank account of a member’s choosing. Residuals statements and check stubs are then viewable online through sagaftra.org.

For instructions on how to sign up for direct deposit, click here. 

About SAG-AFTRA

SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.