Depositing a check used to mean driving to a branch or stopping at an ATM before it got too late in the day. Mobile deposit makes that step unnecessary. As long as you have your phone and the credit union’s app, you can deposit most checks from home, from work, or anywhere in between.
The process itself is simple. Most problems happen because of small mistakes that are easy to avoid. If you follow a few basic best practices, your deposit is more likely to go through smoothly and without delays.
When you open the mobile deposit option in the OnPath Credit Union mobile app, you will be prompted to take a photo of the front and back of your check with your phone. The image is securely sent to the credit union for review. Once it is accepted, the funds are made available according to the account’s deposit policy.
Before you open the app, turn the check over and endorse it.
A missing signature is one of the most common reasons mobile deposits are rejected. Make sure your endorsement is clearly written and fully visible.
Set the check on a solid, dark background. A plain table, desk, or countertop works well. Avoid patterned surfaces, bright glare, or clutter.
Make sure:
Lighting matters more than most people realize:
Blurry or dark images can delay your deposit because the system may not be able to read the information properly.
Position your phone directly above the check. Keep your hands steady until the photo is taken. After the image is captured, look at it before submitting. Double-check that:
If anything looks cut off or blurry, retake the photo.
Type in the deposit amount carefully when the app asks for it. Double-check to make sure the number you enter matches the written amount on the check before submitting. Even a small mistake can cause processing delays or require correction later.
In most cases, your mobile deposit will show up in your account fairly quickly, often the same day, as a pending deposit. Once it’s pending, you may have access to part of the deposit. The remaining funds often become available within one to two business days, depending on the check and your account history.
Delays in check approval are more common with:
They usually take about the same amount of time to clear. The main difference is convenience. With mobile deposit, you do not need to drive to a branch or ATM.
However, depositing a check earlier in the day can sometimes help it begin processing sooner. Late-night deposits, whether by phone or ATM, may be processed the next business day.
Once your deposit is accepted, keep the paper check for a short period of time. Do not throw it away immediately. It is a good habit to:
After you see that the deposit has cleared and the funds are fully available, you can safely destroy the check by shredding it or tearing it thoroughly so your name, address, and account number aren’t readable.
OnPath members really like our mobile app. It currently has a 4.8 star rating on the Google Play Store and a 4.9 star rating on the Apple App Store. If you’re looking for a dependable financial partner that offers competitive rates on loans, great yields on checking and savings accounts, and top-tier online and mobile banking, become a member of OnPath Credit Union.