Most banks cap mobile check deposits between $1,000 and $10,000 per day, so depositing a large check online often means your bank’s app will simply reject it. The good news: you can usually get around this by requesting a higher limit, visiting a branch, or choosing a bank with more generous caps. Here’s how to handle it.
Know Your Bank’s Mobile Deposit Limit
Every bank sets its own daily and monthly caps on mobile deposits, and they vary widely. Chase limits all customers to $2,000 per day and $5,000 over 30 days. Citibank starts even lower, at $1,000 per day for accounts open longer than six months and just $500 per day for newer accounts. PNC caps deposits at $2,500 per day for established accounts.
Bank of America ties limits to your account age and status. Standard accounts that have been open for at least three months get a $10,000 monthly cap. If you’re enrolled in their Preferred Rewards program, that jumps to $50,000 per month. Capital One typically allows $5,000 per day, though the exact figure varies by customer.
Online banks tend to be far more generous. Ally Bank allows up to $50,000 per day and $250,000 in a rolling 30-day period. TIAA Direct permits $30,000 per day. If you regularly deposit large checks and want the convenience of mobile deposit, an online bank account may be worth opening for that purpose alone.
Your limit is usually displayed in the app itself when you start a deposit. If your check exceeds that number, the app won’t let you complete the transaction.
How to Request a Higher Limit
If your check is above your current cap, call your bank and ask for a temporary or permanent increase. Many banks will review your account history, including how long you’ve been a customer, your average balance, and your deposit track record, then approve a higher limit. This process can sometimes be handled in a single phone call.
The likelihood of approval goes up with account age and a history of deposits that clear without issues. If you just opened the account last month, the bank has less reason to trust a large deposit and may decline the request. In that case, you’ll need to use one of the alternatives below.
Endorse the Check Correctly
A surprising number of mobile deposits get rejected for bad endorsements, which is especially frustrating when you’re dealing with a large check and don’t want to waste time troubleshooting. Sign the back of the check in the endorsement area, and below your signature write “For Mobile Deposit Only” or, if your bank requires it, “For [Your Bank Name] Mobile Deposit Only.” The app typically tells you exactly what phrasing to use during the deposit process.
Also make sure the check is on a flat, dark surface with good lighting when you photograph it. Blurry images, shadows, or cut-off edges cause rejections regardless of the dollar amount.
When Your Check Exceeds the Limit
If your bank won’t raise your limit or the check is well above what any mobile deposit will accept, you have several options.
- Deposit at a branch. There is no mobile deposit cap when you hand the check to a teller. For very large checks (think $25,000 or more), this is often the fastest path to getting your funds with the least hassle. A teller can also place a partial hold and release a portion of the funds sooner.
- Use an ATM. Many bank ATMs accept check deposits with higher limits than the mobile app. The process works similarly: you insert the check, the machine reads and images it, and you confirm the amount. If something goes wrong before you finalize, you can cancel and retrieve the check.
- Mail the check. Some banks accept deposits by mail. You’d send the endorsed check along with a deposit slip to a designated address. This is the slowest option, typically adding several business days on top of normal hold times, but it works when other methods aren’t available.
How Long Before You Can Use the Money
Large deposits come with longer hold times regardless of how you deposit them. Federal rules require your bank to make at least $225 available by the next business day. Amounts up to $5,525 generally become available within two business days. Anything above $5,525 can be held for up to seven business days.
Mobile deposits sometimes have even longer holds than in-person deposits, since the bank can’t physically inspect the check. Your bank’s specific mobile deposit policy may extend those timelines further. If you need the funds quickly, depositing in person at a branch gives you the best chance of a shorter hold, especially if you can speak with a banker and explain the situation.
Keep in mind that “available” doesn’t always mean the check has fully cleared. If you spend the funds and the check later bounces, you’re responsible for the full amount. With large checks from unfamiliar sources, waiting the full hold period before spending is a smart move.
Tips for a Smooth Large Deposit
Check your mobile deposit limit before you need it. Open the app and start a deposit to see your cap displayed on screen, so you’re not scrambling when a large check arrives. If you anticipate regular large deposits, ask your bank to permanently increase your limit or consider opening an account at an online bank with higher caps.
Hold onto the physical check for at least two weeks after a successful mobile deposit, or longer if your bank’s terms require it. Shredding or discarding it too soon can create problems if the deposit is flagged for review. Never deposit the same check twice, whether at an ATM, a branch, or through a second mobile deposit attempt. Duplicate deposits can trigger fraud alerts and account restrictions.