The fastest way to deposit a check at Bank of America

Bank of America offers three ways to deposit a check: at an ATM using the mobile app, through the mail, or in person at a branch. The mobile app route is fastest—you photograph both sides of the check, and the funds typically post within one business day. ATM deposit takes longer (usually two to three business days) because the machine scans the check but does not process it immediately. In-person deposits at a branch are instant if you need the money right away, though you will need to visit during branch hours.

Which method you choose depends on when you need the money and whether you have a smartphone. If you are depositing a check after hours or on a weekend, the mobile app is your only option. If the check is large or you are unsure whether it will clear, depositing in person lets you ask the teller questions before the transaction completes.

Key Takeaways

  • Mobile app deposits photograph the front and back of the check and post within one business day, and work 24/7.
  • ATM deposits take two to three business days and require you to insert the check into the machine, which scans it but holds it for processing.
  • In-person deposits at a branch are instant and let you confirm the amount with a teller before the money enters your account.
  • Checks must be made payable to you, endorsed on the back, and cannot exceed the daily deposit limit for your account type.
  • If a check is rejected or flagged, Bank of America will notify you through your account or by phone within a few business days.

Mobile app deposits: photograph and submit

The Bank of America mobile app lets you deposit a check without leaving home. Open the app, tap the menu, select "Deposit a check," and follow the prompts. You will photograph the front of the check, then the back. The app checks that the images are clear and that the check is endorsed (signed on the back). Once you submit, the check is considered deposited, and the funds post within one business day.

The check must be made payable to you, and you must sign the back. If the check is made out to multiple people, all payees must endorse it. Bank of America will hold the original check for a set period (usually 90 days) before destroying it, so keep the check in a safe place until you receive confirmation that the deposit cleared.

Daily limits apply. Most checking accounts have a $2,500 mobile deposit limit per day and $5,000 per month, though this varies by account type and your history with the bank. If you exceed the limit, the app will reject the deposit and tell you to try again the next day or use another method.

ATM deposits: insert the check and wait

Bank of America ATMs accept check deposits at any time. Insert your debit card, select "Deposit," choose "Check," and follow the on-screen instructions. The machine will ask you to insert the check into the slot. The ATM scans the check and displays the amount on the screen. Confirm the amount, and the machine returns the check to you or holds it depending on the ATM model.

Do not leave without the check if the machine returns it. If the ATM keeps the check, it will be processed within two to three business days. If the machine returns it, take it with you and deposit it again or use another method—the ATM did not accept it.

ATM deposits are subject to the same daily and monthly limits as mobile deposits, and the check must be endorsed and made payable to you. If the ATM rejects the check, try a different ATM or use the mobile app instead.

In-person deposits at a Bank of America branch

Walk into any Bank of America branch during business hours with your check and debit card or account number. Hand the check to the teller and tell them which account to deposit it into. The teller will verify that the check is endorsed, confirm the amount, and process the deposit immediately. The funds post to your account right away, though the check itself clears through the banking system over the next one to two business days.

In-person deposits do not count against your daily mobile or ATM limits, so this is the route to use if you are depositing a large check or if you have already hit your daily limit. The teller can also answer questions about whether the check will clear or flag any issues before the deposit is final.

Branch hours vary by location. Use the Bank of America branch locator on their website or app to find the nearest branch and confirm it is open before you go.

What happens if a check is rejected or flagged

A check can be rejected for several reasons: it is not endorsed, it is made out to someone other than you, the amount is illegible, the signature does not match the account name, or the check is post-dated (dated in the future). If you deposit via mobile app or ATM and the check is rejected, Bank of America will notify you through your account or by phone within a few business days. The check will not be deposited, and you will need to contact the check writer or try a different method.

If a check is flagged for review—usually because the amount is large or the check writer's account has issues—the bank may hold the funds for up to 10 business days while they verify it will clear. You will see the deposit in your account, but the money will not be available to spend until the hold is lifted. Bank of America will tell you when the hold is released.

If a check bounces after you deposit it (meaning the check writer's account did not have enough money), the bank will reverse the deposit and deduct the amount from your account. You will be charged a returned-check fee, usually $12 to $15. Contact the check writer to ask them to resubmit the check or pay you another way.

Endorsing the check correctly

The back of the check has a line that says "Endorse here." Sign your name on that line exactly as it appears on the front of the check. If the check is made out to "John Smith" but you sign "J. Smith," the bank may reject it. If the check is made out to multiple people (for example, "John Smith and Jane Smith"), both people must sign the back.

Do not write anything else on the back of the check except your signature. Do not add account numbers, instructions, or notes. If you are depositing the check at a branch and the teller asks you to add something, they will tell you what to write.

Deposit limits and holds

Bank of America sets daily and monthly limits on mobile and ATM deposits to prevent fraud. Most checking accounts allow $2,500 per day and $5,000 per month via mobile app, and $1,000 per day via ATM, though these limits vary by account type. Premium accounts may have higher limits. In-person deposits at a branch do not count toward these limits.

Even after a check is deposited, the bank may place a hold on the funds. Federal law allows banks to hold checks for up to 10 business days, though most checks clear within one to two business days. Large checks, checks from out-of-state banks, and checks from new accounts are more likely to be held. Bank of America will tell you when the hold is lifted and the money is available to spend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit a check made out to someone else?

No. The check must be made payable to you or to you and another person. If someone else wrote you a check with their name on it, they need to sign it over to you by endorsing the back, and you will need to add your signature below theirs. Some banks reject third-party checks, so contact Bank of America first to confirm they will accept it.

What if I deposit a check and it bounces?

Bank of America will reverse the deposit and remove the money from your account. You will be charged a returned-check fee (usually $12 to $15). Contact the person who wrote the check and ask them to resubmit it or pay you another way. If they refuse, you may need to pursue the debt through small claims court.

How long does a check take to clear?

Mobile app deposits post within one business day. ATM deposits take two to three business days. In-person deposits post immediately, though the check itself clears through the banking system over one to two business days. Holds can extend this timeline to 10 business days for large or out-of-state checks.

Can I deposit a post-dated check?

Technically yes, but Bank of America may reject it or hold it until the date on the check. A post-dated check is one dated in the future. If you deposit it early, the bank is not required to wait until that date to process it. Contact the bank before depositing a post-dated check to confirm their policy.

What if the mobile app says the image is unclear?

Make sure both the front and back of the check are fully visible in the photograph, the lighting is bright enough to read the numbers and text, and the check is not bent or torn. Retake the photo and try again. If the app continues to reject it, deposit the check at an ATM or in person at a branch instead.