Deposit checks through the Genie mobile app using your phone's camera

Genie Checking, offered by The Bancorp Bank, lets you deposit checks by taking photos with your phone instead of visiting a branch or ATM. You photograph the front and back of the check, and the funds typically appear in your account within one to two business days. The process takes about two minutes and works from anywhere you have an internet connection.

You'll need the Genie Checking mobile app installed on your phone, an active Genie Checking account, and a check made out to you. The check must be endorsed (signed on the back) before you photograph it. Genie does not accept third-party checks — the check must be payable to you, not to you and someone else.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Genie app, tap the deposit option, and photograph both sides of an endorsed check to start the deposit process.
  • Funds from mobile check deposits usually post within one to two business days, though the app will show you the expected date before you confirm.
  • Genie will not accept checks made out to multiple people, checks that are post-dated, or checks that are damaged or illegible.
  • Once you photograph and submit a check, you cannot cancel the deposit, so review both images before you confirm.

Step-by-step process for mobile check deposit

Open the Genie Checking app on your phone and log in with your username and password. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom of the screen, then select "Deposit Check" or "Mobile Deposit" — the exact wording depends on your app version.

The app will ask you to photograph the front of the check. Hold the check flat under good lighting and frame it so all four corners are visible and the text is sharp. Tap the camera button to take the photo. The app will show you a preview; if the image is blurry or cut off, retake it. Once you approve the front, photograph the back of the check the same way. The back must show your signature (endorsement) and any memo you wrote.

Review both images on the confirmation screen. Check that the check amount, date, and routing number are all legible. If either image is unclear, tap "Retake" and photograph that side again. Once you confirm, the app will show you the deposit amount and the expected posting date. Tap "Submit" to complete the deposit.

What happens after you submit the check

After you submit the deposit, the app displays a confirmation number. Write this number down or take a screenshot — you will need it if you have questions about the deposit or if something goes wrong. The app also sends a confirmation email to the address on file with your Genie account.

The check funds typically post to your account within one to two business days. Weekends and bank holidays extend this timeline. If you deposit a check on Friday evening, for example, the funds may not appear until Tuesday. The app shows the expected posting date before you submit, so you will know when to expect the money.

Do not deposit the physical check again after you submit it through the app. Genie recommends you wait at least 10 days before destroying the check, in case the bank needs to verify the deposit. After 10 days, you can shred or discard it.

Checks that Genie will not accept

Genie will reject a check if it is post-dated (dated in the future), made out to multiple people, or endorsed to a third party. The check must be payable to you alone. If a check is made out to "John Smith and Jane Smith," neither person can deposit it through the app — it requires both signatures and must be deposited in person at a bank.

Damaged, faded, or illegible checks will also be rejected. If the routing number, account number, or amount is hard to read, the app's image recognition will fail and you will be asked to retake the photo. If the check is physically torn or water-damaged, you will need to contact the check writer and ask for a replacement.

Genie also will not accept checks that are older than 180 days. Banks treat very old checks as stale-dated, and the issuing bank may refuse to honor them. If you have an old check, contact the person or business that wrote it and ask for a new one.

Daily and monthly deposit limits

Genie Checking sets limits on how much you can deposit through mobile check deposit in a single day and over a rolling 30-day period. These limits vary and may change, so check your app or log into your online account to see your current limits. The app will tell you how much you have deposited in the current period and how much room you have left before you hit the cap.

If you need to deposit more than your limit allows, you can space the deposits across multiple days or contact Genie customer service to ask about increasing your limit. Some accounts may have higher limits than others depending on your account history and how long you have been a customer.

What to do if a deposit fails or does not post

If the app rejects your deposit, it will tell you why — usually because the image is unclear, the check is post-dated, or the check is made out to someone else. Retake the photos and try again. Make sure the check is endorsed (signed on the back) and that you are photographing it straight on, not at an angle.

If the deposit was accepted but the funds do not appear by the expected posting date, log into your Genie account and check the deposit status. The app or online banking portal will show whether the deposit is still processing, pending, or complete. If the status shows "complete" but the money is not in your account, contact Genie customer service with your confirmation number. They can investigate whether the issuing bank rejected the check or if there was a technical error.

If the check bounced (the account it was drawn on did not have enough funds), Genie will reverse the deposit and deduct the funds from your account. You will receive a notice explaining the reversal. Contact the person or business that wrote the check and ask them to resubmit it or provide a different payment method.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit a check made out to my business name into my personal Genie account?

No. The check must be made out to the name on your Genie account. If you have a business, you will need a business checking account. Personal and business accounts are separate, and Genie does not allow cross-account deposits.

What if I accidentally photograph the same check twice?

Contact Genie customer service immediately with both confirmation numbers. They can investigate and reverse one of the deposits if the check was processed twice. The sooner you report it, the easier it is to fix.

Do I need to endorse the check before I photograph it?

Yes. Sign the back of the check with "For Mobile Deposit Only" written below your signature. This limits the check to deposit through the app and protects you if the physical check is lost.

Can I deposit a check if I do not have a smartphone?

No. Genie's mobile check deposit feature requires the app and a phone with a camera. If you do not have a smartphone, you can deposit checks at an ATM that accepts check deposits, or contact Genie to ask about other deposit methods.

How long should I keep the physical check after I deposit it?

Keep it for at least 10 days. After that, you can shred or discard it. Do not deposit the physical check at an ATM or bank branch after you have submitted it through the app, as this can cause duplicate deposits and overdraft fees.