This article covers the following questions:
- How much does it cost to deposit a check?
- How do I deposit a check?
- How long does it take to process a check?
- How do I know if my check can be deposited?
- Image Capture Best Practices for Check Deposit
How much does it cost to deposit a check?
It's free!
How do I deposit a check?
From the main dashboard of the mobile app, tap on the three dots below the image of your card and then select "Check Deposit."
Before entering your check amount and uploading images of your check, please carefully follow the steps below:
- Sign – sign the back of your check.
- Endorse – write “For Mobile Deposit Only At i3 Bank” on the back
- Check the box – If your paper check has a checkbox for mobile deposits, it's also required to check it.
Important: Keep in mind that all checks are not formatted similarly. For example, some checks will have statements such as, "DO NOT WRITE, STAMP, OR SIGN BELOW THE LINE." Please follow the instructions outlined above as well as the instructions listed on the back of your check before completing your deposit to avoid rejected checks.
How long does it take to process a check?
It can take up to 5 business days for a check to clear. Please wait for 5 business days for the money to arrive into your Crowded account.
We take this time to fully verify the authenticity of the uploaded check, and minimize risk for our customers!
Note: Banks are closed on Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays; business days are Monday to Friday.
Cutoff time: 7 PM
How do I know if my check can be deposited?
You may deposit any check that meets the following requirements:
- Is payable to your organization's Crowded account name
- In U.S. dollars only
- Is free of alterations
- Is readable
- No signs of fraud
- Has not been previously deposited at another institution
- Is from a financial institution located within the U.S.
- Is dated within the last 6 months
- Is not a digital reproduction
- Was not created remotely (meaning, a check created by a merchant with a buyer’s checking account number on it, but without the buyer’s original signature)
The following items are not eligible for Mobile Check Deposit:
- Travelers cheques
- Savings bonds
- Non-negotiable instruments, such as promissory notes
- Starter checks
- Stamped with 'Cannot be processed electronically.
Image Capture Best Practices for Check Deposit
The goal is to get a crisp, high-contrast, and properly aligned image that the automated scanning software can read correctly.
| Guideline | |
|---|---|
| Use Landscape Mode | Capture the image in landscape orientation. Make sure to disable any rotation lock on your phone so the camera app functions correctly for this orientation. |
| Background & Contrast | Use a dark, consistent, and non-reflective background. Avoid patterns or textures like wood grain or marble. A light background can confuse the optical reader. |
| Lighting | Ensure the lighting is even. Avoid shadows falling across the check. |
| Avoid Flash | Do not use the camera flash. The flash can "wash out" the image, reducing quality and contrast. |
| Positioning | Hold the camera parallel to the check, not at an angle. Match the check inside the guidelines on your phone's screen. |
| Keep it Flat | The check must lay as flat as possible with no folds. Folds can warp the image, making it unreadable. |
| Define the Borders (Optional Tip) | For extra help with alignment, you can place a small dot (about the size of an eraser) in each corner of the check. This helps the OCR software properly define the borders. |