Bank of America lets you deposit checks three ways: through the mobile app on your phone, at any Bank of America ATM, or in person at a financial center. The mobile app is the fastest option for most people, but ATMs and branches handle situations the app can’t, like large checks or foreign items. Here’s how each method works.
Deposit a Check With the Mobile App
The Bank of America mobile banking app turns your phone’s camera into a check scanner. The process takes about a minute once you have the app installed and your account linked.
Before you start, endorse the check by signing the back. Write “For Mobile Deposit Only” below your signature. This restriction tells the bank (and anyone who finds the check) that it’s meant for electronic deposit, not to be cashed at a counter. If you skip the endorsement or the restrictive language, the app may reject the deposit.
From there, the steps are straightforward:
- Open the app and tap “Deposit Checks.” You’ll find this on the main accounts screen after logging in.
- Photograph the front and back of the check. Lay the check on a dark, flat surface with good lighting. The app will prompt you to capture each side separately. Avoid shadows, glare, and cropped edges.
- Choose your account and enter the amount. If you have multiple checking or savings accounts, select the one where you want the funds.
- Tap Submit. You’ll get an on-screen confirmation that the deposit is processing.
If the image is blurry or the amount doesn’t match what’s written on the check, the app will usually ask you to retake the photo or correct the entry before it accepts the submission. Hold on to the physical check for at least a few days after the deposit clears, then destroy it so nobody can attempt to deposit it a second time.
Mobile Deposit Limits
Bank of America sets daily and monthly caps on how much you can deposit through the app. These limits vary by account type, how long you’ve been a customer, and your deposit history. Newer accounts typically start with lower limits. You can check your specific limit inside the app when you start a mobile deposit. If your check exceeds the limit, you’ll need to use an ATM or visit a financial center instead.
Deposit a Check at an ATM
Bank of America’s ATMs accept checks without envelopes or deposit slips. The machine scans your check directly, reads the amount, and shows you an image for confirmation. You can deposit checks at any Bank of America ATM using your debit card or your digital wallet on a smartphone.
Insert your debit card (or tap your phone), enter your PIN, and select the deposit option. Feed the check into the slot when prompted. The ATM will display the scanned image and the amount it read. Confirm the details, choose the account for the deposit, and finish the transaction. You can request a printed receipt with or without an image of the check, and you can save that preference for future visits. Digital images of checks deposited at ATMs also appear in your online and mobile banking history.
A few things ATMs won’t handle: foreign checks, foreign currency, and loose or unrolled coins. If you need to split a deposit across multiple accounts, deposit the full amount into one account first, then transfer funds to your other Bank of America accounts at the ATM, online, or through the app.
Deposit a Check at a Financial Center
Walking into a Bank of America branch (called a “financial center”) is the simplest option if you’re near one. Hand the endorsed check to a teller along with your ID, and they’ll process the deposit. This is the best route for unusually large checks, third-party checks made out to someone else and signed over to you, or any situation where mobile or ATM deposits get rejected.
Branch hours vary by location but most are open on weekdays and Saturday mornings. You can find your nearest branch and its hours through the Bank of America website or app.
When Your Money Becomes Available
The deposit method and the size of the check both affect how quickly you can use the funds. Cash and electronic deposits are generally available by the next business day. Check deposits follow a more nuanced schedule.
For most check deposits, the first $225 is typically available by the next business day. Under federal banking rules, the first $6,725 of a deposit must be made available according to the bank’s normal availability schedule, which usually means one to two business days for standard checks. If you deposit a check for more than $6,725, the bank can place a hold on the amount above that threshold for up to five additional business days.
Several factors can trigger longer holds: a brand-new account (open less than 30 days), a check from a foreign bank, a deposit that significantly exceeds your typical pattern, or a check the bank has reason to believe may not clear. When a hold is placed, the bank is required to notify you and tell you when the funds will be released.
Mobile deposits made after the bank’s cutoff time, usually in the early evening, are treated as if they were deposited the next business day. The same applies to ATM deposits made after the posted cutoff. If timing matters, deposit early in the day.
Tips for a Smooth Deposit
Make sure the check is made out to you exactly as your name appears on your Bank of America account. If there’s a slight mismatch (a nickname, a middle initial), it may still go through, but significant differences can cause a rejection. Sign the back of every check before depositing it, regardless of method. For mobile deposits, add “For Mobile Deposit Only” beneath your signature.
Double-check the dollar amount you enter against what’s printed on the check. A mismatch is one of the most common reasons mobile deposits get kicked back. And if you’re depositing multiple checks at an ATM, you can often feed them in during the same transaction rather than running separate deposits for each one.