What happens when you deposit a check into a Charlie's Checking account
When you deposit a check into a Charlie's Checking account at Bank of America, the bank scans the check, verifies the funds, and credits your account. The check itself is sent to the issuing bank for clearing. How long this takes depends on the check amount, the bank it was drawn from, and whether you deposited it in person, through a mobile app, or at an ATM.
Bank of America typically holds checks for a set number of business days before the funds become fully available. For most checks under $5,000 deposited in person at a branch, funds are available the next business day. Checks deposited through the mobile app or ATM may take longer — usually two to three business days. The bank will show the deposit in your account immediately, but the funds may be in a "pending" or "hold" status until clearing is complete.
If the check bounces or the issuing bank rejects it, Bank of America will reverse the deposit and charge you a returned-item fee. This fee varies but is typically $10 to $15 per returned check. You will be notified by email or text, depending on your account settings.
Key Takeaways
- Checks deposited in person at a Bank of America branch are usually available the next business day for amounts under $5,000.
- Mobile app and ATM deposits typically take two to three business days to clear, even though the deposit shows in your account right away.
- Bank of America places a hold on the funds during the clearing period, meaning you cannot withdraw them until the hold is released.
- If a check is returned unpaid, the bank reverses the deposit and charges a returned-item fee of around $10 to $15.
- Large checks, checks from out-of-state banks, or checks with unclear information may take longer to clear or may be rejected entirely.
Deposit methods and how long each takes
Bank of America offers three main ways to deposit a check into your Charlie's Checking account: in person at a branch, through the mobile app, or at an ATM.
In-person deposits at a branch are the fastest. You hand the check to a teller, who scans it immediately. For checks under $5,000, the funds are usually available the next business day. The teller will give you a receipt showing the deposit amount and your new account balance.
Mobile app deposits use your phone's camera to photograph the front and back of the check. You enter the amount, confirm the deposit, and submit it. The app shows the deposit in your account within minutes, but Bank of America typically holds the funds for two to three business days before they are fully available. This delay exists because the bank cannot verify the check's authenticity or the issuing bank's ability to pay until the physical check arrives at the clearing house.
ATM deposits work similarly to mobile deposits in terms of timing. You insert the check into the ATM, and it scans and captures an image. The funds show in your account the same day, but the hold period is usually two to three business days. Some ATMs accept deposits 24/7, so you can deposit outside of branch hours.
Understanding check holds and when your money is available
A check hold is a temporary freeze on deposited funds while the bank verifies the check is legitimate and the issuing bank has the money to cover it. During the hold period, the deposit appears in your account balance, but you cannot withdraw or transfer the funds. This protects both you and the bank from fraud and overdrafts.
Bank of America's standard hold periods are:
- Next business day for checks under $5,000 deposited in person at a branch.
- Two to three business days for checks deposited via mobile app or ATM.
- Up to seven business days for checks over $5,000, checks from out-of-state banks, or checks with unclear information (such as a missing signature or illegible routing number).
- Up to ten business days if the check is from a bank outside the United States.
Business days do not include weekends or federal holidays. If you deposit a check on a Friday evening, the hold period begins on Monday. If you deposit on a holiday, it begins the next business day.
You can ask a teller at the branch to release the hold early if you have a good account history and the check appears legitimate. The bank is not required to do this, but some branches will. Call the customer service number on the back of your debit card to ask about early release options.
What to do if a check is rejected or returned
If the issuing bank rejects the check — because the account is closed, the signature does not match, the amount is altered, or there are insufficient funds — Bank of America will reverse the deposit from your Charlie's Checking account. You will see the reversal as a debit, and your account balance will drop by the check amount.
At the same time, the bank charges a returned-item fee, typically $10 to $15. This fee is separate from the reversal and is deducted from your account. You will receive a notice by email, text, or mail explaining the rejection and the fee.
Once a check is returned, you have a few options. You can ask the person or business who wrote the check to issue a new one, ask them to send the funds by wire transfer or ACH instead, or ask them to verify the account information and resubmit the same check. Do not deposit the same check twice — if it was rejected the first time, it will be rejected again, and you will be charged another returned-item fee.
If you believe the check was rejected in error — for example, if the issuing bank made a mistake — contact the bank that issued the check directly. You will need the check number, the date it was written, and the amount. The issuing bank can investigate and may resubmit the check or issue a replacement.
Large checks and out-of-state checks
Checks over $5,000 are subject to longer hold periods at Bank of America. The bank may hold these checks for up to seven business days, even if deposited in person at a branch. This is a standard practice across most banks and is meant to reduce the risk of fraud on large transactions.
Checks drawn from banks outside your state may also take longer to clear. If the issuing bank is in a different Federal Reserve region, the check must travel through the clearing system, which can add one to two business days. International checks take even longer — typically seven to ten business days — because they must be converted to U.S. dollars and verified through international banking channels.
If you need the funds from a large or out-of-state check quickly, ask the person who wrote the check to send the money by wire transfer or ACH instead. These methods are faster and do not require a hold period, though they may carry a small fee.
Avoiding common deposit mistakes
Checks are rejected or delayed most often because of errors on the check itself or in how it is deposited. Here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them:
- Missing or illegible information: Make sure the check has a legible signature, the date is filled in, the amount is written in both numbers and words, and the payee line (the "Pay to the order of" line) shows your name or your business name. If any of this information is missing or unclear, the issuing bank may reject the check.
- Depositing a check made out to someone else: A check must be made out to you or to your business. If it is made out to another person, you cannot deposit it into your account. Ask the original payee to deposit it or to sign it over to you (though third-party checks are increasingly difficult to deposit).
- Depositing a post-dated check: A check dated in the future should not be deposited until that date arrives. If you deposit it early, the issuing bank may reject it. Wait until the date on the check or ask the issuer to provide a check with today's date.
- Depositing a check twice: If you deposit the same check through the mobile app and then again at an ATM, both deposits will be processed, and you will be charged twice. Keep track of which checks you have deposited and do not resubmit them.
- Endorsing the check incorrectly: Sign the back of the check in the designated area. Do not write anything else on the back unless the bank asks you to. If you are depositing via mobile app or ATM, you may not need to endorse the check at all — check the bank's instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw money from my Charlie's Checking account before the check clears?
No. While the deposit shows in your account balance, the funds are on hold until the check clears. If you withdraw money during the hold period and the check is later rejected, your account will be overdrawn, and you will be charged an overdraft fee. Wait until the hold is released before withdrawing.
What if I need the money from a check right away?
Ask the person who wrote the check to send the funds by wire transfer, ACH, or another faster method instead. If you must deposit the check, deposit it in person at a branch for the fastest hold period (usually next business day for amounts under $5,000). Avoid mobile app or ATM deposits if you need the money quickly.
How do I know when a check has finished clearing?
Log into your Bank of America online account or mobile app and look at the transaction details. If the deposit no longer shows as "pending" or "hold" and appears as a regular credit, the check has cleared. You can also call customer service at the number on your debit card to confirm.
Will I be charged a fee if a check bounces?
Yes. Bank of America charges a returned-item fee (typically $10 to $15) when a check is rejected by the issuing bank. You will also lose the deposit amount, as it will be reversed from your account. Contact the person who wrote the check to arrange a replacement or alternative payment method.
Can I deposit a check made out to my business into my personal Charlie's Checking account?
No. A check must be deposited into an account in the name shown on the check. If the check is made out to your business, it must be deposited into a business account. If you try to deposit it into a personal account, the bank will reject it. Open a business checking account or ask the issuer to rewrite the check in your personal name.