Most banks offer online banking services with mobile check deposits that require endorsing the check, taking a picture of it, entering the amount and submitting the deposit — all through your phone without the need to visit a physical branch. However, check deposits can take a few days to clear with most banks, but a handful offer mobile check deposits with instant fund availability.
These banks make mobile check funds available immediately — or, at the very least, within the same day. Many offer free same-day mobile check deposit, expect to pay a small fee for banks with instant mobile check deposit availability.
| Bank | Mobile check deposit fund availability | Fee for instant fund availability | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SoFi® | Same business day if deposited before 5 p.m. ET | $0 per item, to enable mobile check deposit must deposit at least $500 into your account via direct deposit or ACH. | |
| HSBC | Same business day if deposited before 10 p.m. ET | $0 per item. To qualify for the account, you must have at least $5,000 in total direct deposits monthly, or at least $100,000 in total deposits and/or investments, or have an active HSBC residential mortgage loan. | |
| US Bank | Same business day if deposited before 10 p.m. ET | $0 per item, must wait 30 days after account opening to enable mobile check deposit. | |
| PNC | Immediately if deposited before 10 p.m. ET | $2 fee for amounts $25 to $100, 2% of funds over $100 | |
| Ingo Money | Within minutes, up to one hour | Standard pricing:
| |
| Axos Bank | Same business day if deposited before 6 p.m. ET | $0 | |
| Fifth Third Bank | Immediately if deposited before 8 p.m. ET | Express Banking membership required for $5/mo. | |
| KeyBank | Immediately if deposited before 11 p.m. ET | 2% fee | |
| First Internet Bank | Same business day if deposited before 3 p.m. ET | $0 | |
| Citizens Bank | Most deposits available same business day if deposited before 10 p.m. ET | $0 | |
| M&T Bank | Same business day if deposited before 10 p.m. ET | $0 | |
| Valley Bank | Same business day if deposited before 6 pm ET. New customer fund availability may vary. | $0 |
Mobile check deposits through online banking services typically take one to five days to clear. If a bank advertises an “instant” check deposit, their definition of instant is likely to vary. Some banks may consider instant availability as funds cleared within that same business day, while others consider instant availability as having your funds available within minutes of depositing.
Depending on the bank and the check amount, most checks clear within one to two business days. Depositing a check at a physical branch is typically the fastest way for funds to clear. Typical speeds for other cash or check deposits include:
Mobile check deposits typically take between three and five days to process, verify and clear. In some cases, only a portion of the check may clear immediately, and the rest clears the next business day. The speed can also depend on the amount that’s deposited. For example, the first $200 of a deposit must be available for cash withdrawal or check writing the next business day.
Mobile check deposit may also be your only way to deposit a check with an online bank. Some banks also allow you to mail checks, but that would likely take longer than a mobile check deposit, thanks to the speed of snail mail.
The timing of when the check was deposited can create delays. Some banks, such as PNC or US Bank, may allow a check to clear within the same day if deposited before 10 p.m. If you attempt to deposit the check after that time, you’ll likely have to wait until the next day for it to clear.
Another delay explanation would likely be from lacking verifications. If you’ve deposited a large amount — or an amount you don’t normally deposit — the bank may need to contact you to verify the check and your identity.
Other common delay causes can include:
Yes, you cash a check online instantly free. There are a few banks that don’t charge anything for their same-day or instant mobile check deposits. Some free mobile check deposit options include:
Check-cashing services, such as Ingo Money, do charge fees for instant mobile check deposits, usually based on the type of check and the dollar amount. And some banks, such as PNC, charge for mobile check deposits; PNC charges $2 per check for amounts $25 to $100, or a 2% fee for amounts over $100.
You can cash a check online instantly without Ingo or a bank account, but you’ll need somewhere to deposit the funds. For example, you could choose to deposit the check onto a prepaid card, which doesn’t require a bank account.
Cash App also accepts mobile check deposits, and you do not need a bank account to sign up for. The same goes for PayPal, which also accepts check deposits and offers a prepaid debit card.
However, know that Cash App’s mobile check deposits can take up to six days to clear, while PayPal charges a $5 fee for instant check cashing. Netspend also offers instant mobile check deposit for a fee of 2% of the check amount, with a minimum $5 fee.
Most modern banks allow mobile check deposits through their respective banking app, but not all are instant. For more account options, compare our best checking accounts and best high-yield savings accounts.
Chime offers mobile check deposits, but they’re not instant. They’ll take one to five days to clear. SoFi® is a bank like Chime that offers free same-day mobile check deposit availability.
No, PNC charges a $2 fee for amounts of $25 to $100 and a 2% fee on funds over $100. Banks like SoFi®, HSBC, US Bank and others offer free instant mobile check deposit.
Ally Bank states that mobile check deposit funds will be available the next business day.
It depends on the bank, but typically, checks that aren’t eligible for mobile check deposit include US treasury checks, international checks, traveler’s checks, money orders and savings bonds.
In some cases, you can instantly access the money you deposited via ATM. You may only have immediate access to a portion of the funds, depending on the check’s size. But expect to wait a day or two for the check to clear. Only a handful of banks, such as PNC, KeyBank and Fifth Third Bank, offer immediate check deposit availability.
In most cases, yes. The majority of bank apps encrypt your information and don’t store images of checks, and they’re not stored on your phone.
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