The three ways to deposit a check with Bank of America

Bank of America lets you deposit checks three ways: at an ATM, through their mobile app, or in person at a branch. ATM deposit is fastest if you have a Bank of America ATM nearby — the check clears the same way as a branch deposit, usually within one business day. The mobile app (called Mobile Check Deposit) works from home and takes about two minutes. In-person deposits at a branch are the slowest but give you a receipt when ready and let you ask questions if something goes wrong.

Which method you choose depends on when you need the money and whether you have the app installed. If you're depositing during business hours and want certainty, go to a branch. If it's evening or weekend, use the ATM or app. All three methods require the same thing: the check must be signed on the back by the person it's made out to, and you need to be a Bank of America customer with an account in good standing.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank of America ATMs accept check deposits 24/7, and the funds usually show up the next business day, the same as a branch deposit.
  • Mobile Check Deposit through the Bank of America app works from anywhere and requires only a photo of the front and back of the check.
  • The check must be signed on the back by the payee, and you cannot deposit a check made out to someone else unless they sign it and you have power of attorney or a joint account.
  • Checks deposited before 2 p.m. on a business day typically clear by the next business day; deposits after 2 p.m. or on weekends clear the day after that.
  • If the ATM rejects your check or the app won't accept the photo, take the check to a branch — staff can tell you what's wrong and fix it on the spot.

Depositing a check at a Bank of America ATM

Find a Bank of America ATM, insert your debit card, and select "Deposit" from the menu. The ATM will ask you which account to deposit into if you have more than one. Endorse the back of the check with your signature, then insert it into the slot. The machine will scan it, show you the amount on the screen, and ask you to confirm. Once you confirm, the ATM prints a receipt with the deposit amount and expected availability date.

Bank of America ATMs are in most branches and many grocery stores, gas stations, and shopping centers. If you're not sure whether an ATM is a Bank of America machine, use the ATM locator on their website or app — search by your zip code and it shows you every location nearby. The deposit is processed the same way as a branch deposit, so funds are usually available the next business day.

If the ATM rejects the check, it will return it to you and display an error message. Common reasons include a missing signature, a check that's too old (more than six months), or damage to the check that makes it unreadable. Take the rejected check to a branch and a teller can deposit it manually or tell you why it cannot be deposited.

Depositing a check through the Bank of America mobile app

Open the Bank of America app, tap the menu icon, and select "Deposit a Check." The app will ask you which account to deposit into. Sign the back of the check, then take a photo of the front and a photo of the back — the app will guide you to position the check correctly in the frame. Review the images to make sure they're clear and the check is fully visible, then enter the check amount and tap "Deposit."

The app will confirm the deposit and show you when the funds will be available. Mobile Check Deposit works the same way as an ATM deposit — funds usually show up the next business day if you deposit before 2 p.m. on a weekday. You can deposit up to 10 checks per day through the app, though Bank of America may set lower limits on new accounts or accounts with little history.

The photos must be clear enough for the bank to read the check number, routing number, and amount. If the image is blurry or the check is at an angle, the app will reject it and ask you to retake the photo. Make sure you have good lighting and a steady hand. After you deposit the check through the app, keep the physical check for at least 30 days in case the bank needs to verify it, then destroy it by shredding or tearing it up.

Depositing a check in person at a Bank of America branch

Walk into any Bank of America branch during business hours with your check and debit card. Tell the teller you want to deposit a check and hand them the signed check and your card. The teller will scan the check, confirm the amount with you, and ask which account to deposit into. They'll give you a receipt showing the deposit amount and the expected availability date.

Branch hours vary by location, but most are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m., and some are open Saturday mornings. Use the branch locator on the Bank of America website to find hours near you. In-person deposits are useful if you have questions about the check, if you need the deposit to post when ready (some branches can do this for large or urgent deposits), or if an ATM or the app rejected your check.

When the check will be available and what "hold" means

Bank of America typically makes deposited checks available the next business day. A check deposited before 2 p.m. on a Monday through Friday is usually available by Tuesday. A check deposited after 2 p.m. or on a weekend is usually available by the following business day. This is called the availability date, and the bank shows it to you on the receipt or in the app when you deposit.

The availability date is not the same as when the check clears. The check clears when the bank that issued the check confirms the funds are real and transfers the money. This can take several business days, even though your bank made the money available to you sooner. If the check bounces after you've already spent the money, your bank will reverse the deposit and charge you an overdraft fee. For this reason, do not spend money from a deposited check until at least three business days have passed.

Bank of America may place a hold on a check if it's large, if your account is new, or if you have a history of depositing bad checks. A hold means the bank is not making the funds available on the normal schedule — instead, they're waiting for the check to fully clear before you can use the money. The bank will tell you the hold period when you deposit. If you think a hold is unfair, you can ask a branch manager to review it, but the bank has the right to hold checks for up to seven business days.

What to do if the check has problems

A check can be rejected for several reasons. The most common is a missing or illegible signature on the back. The check must be signed by the person whose name is on the "Pay to the Order of" line — that's called the payee. If the check is made out to you and you haven't signed it, sign it on the back and try again. If the check is made out to someone else, you cannot deposit it unless they sign it first and you have a joint account with them or power of attorney.

Other reasons a check might be rejected: the check is post-dated (dated in the future), it's stale-dated (more than six months old), the amount in words doesn't match the amount in numbers, or the check is damaged or torn. If an ATM or the app rejects your check, take it to a branch. A teller can often deposit it manually even if the machine won't accept it, or they can tell you exactly what's wrong so you can contact the person who wrote the check and ask for a new one.

If you deposit a check and it bounces (the issuing bank refuses to pay it), Bank of America will reverse the deposit and charge you a returned-check fee, usually $12 to $15. The money will be taken back out of your account. If this happens, contact the person who wrote the check and ask them to write you a new one or send you the money another way. If they refuse, you may need to pursue the debt through small claims court, but that's outside what the bank can help with.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit a check made out to someone else?

Only if that person signs the back of the check and you have a joint account with them, or if you have power of attorney. Otherwise, the person whose name is on the check must deposit it themselves. Bank of America will not accept a check signed by someone other than the payee.

What if I deposit a check and then the account it came from doesn't have enough money?

The check will bounce. Bank of America will reverse the deposit, take the money back out of your account, and charge you a returned-check fee. Contact the person who wrote the check and ask them to make it good or send you the money another way.

How long do I need to keep the physical check after I deposit it through the app?

Keep it for at least 30 days. After that, you can destroy it by shredding or tearing it up. Do not throw it away whole — always shred checks to protect your account information.

Can I deposit a check written in another country?

Bank of America does not accept foreign checks through ATMs or the mobile app. You must take a foreign check to a branch, and the bank may charge a fee to process it. The check will take much longer to clear — usually two to four weeks — because it has to go through an international clearing process.

What if the ATM keeps rejecting my check?

Take it to a branch during business hours. A teller can deposit it manually and tell you what the problem is. Common issues are a missing signature, a check that's too old, or damage to the check. If the teller cannot deposit it, ask them what you need to do to fix it.