To Cash This Paycheck, Find the Nearest A.T.M.
In a trend towards paperless payroll, the Coca-Cola Company and Citibank have announced their intention to market payroll cards to restaurants and hotels nationwide. Payroll cards, which work like debit cards, have gained popularity as a way for employees to avoid check cashing fee charges and employers the cost of issuing a paper check. They are most popular in quick-service industries were employees are more transient and less likely to use direct deposit. However, because of language barriers, a distrust of banks, and confusion over how the cards work many employees still prefer paper paychecks.
See "To Cash This Paycheck, Find the Nearest A.T.M.", Jennifer Bayot, The New York Times, February 23, 2003