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Is Bank of America Mobile Check Deposit Instant? No, Not Instant

Mobile check deposit is, without a doubt, one of the most convenient banking features. It lets you use your smartphone or tablet to deposit a check into your bank account without needing to visit a branch or ATM.

All you have to do is take pictures of the front and back of the check via your bank’s mobile app and follow the prompted steps. Most financial institutions, including Bank of America, have this feature.

How fast is the Bank of America’s mobile check deposit?

Bank of America’s mobile check deposits aren’t instant, but they’re still pretty quick. If you deposit a check before the daily cutoff time on a business day — 9 p.m. ET or 8 p.m. PT — the funds are generally available the next business day.

Note that the bank bases the cutoff time on the time zone where you opened the account, not where you physically are when you deposit the check.

If you’re specifically looking for banks that offer same-day or instant access to deposited checks, check out these banks with instant mobile check deposit availability.


















SoFi Checking and Savings

If you’re looking for a bank with instant mobile check deposit, consider SoFi®.

  • Up to 3.80% APY on savings by meeting deposit requirements or by paying the SoFi Plus subscription fee every 30 days
  • Get up to a $300 bonus with direct deposits of $5,000 or more
  • $0 account or overdraft fees

New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 1/31/2026. Full terms at sofi.com/banking. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.80% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

SoFi members who enroll in SoFi Plus with Eligible Direct Deposit or by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days or SoFi members with $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. Members without either SoFi Plus or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. If you have satisfied Eligible Direct Deposit requirements for our highest APY but do not see 3.80% APY on your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit arrives, please contact us at 855-456-7634. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. See the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions at https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus.

We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Checking & Savings Fee Sheet for details at sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/.

SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms. See list of participating banks at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks.

We’ve partnered with Allpoint to provide you with ATM access at any of the 55,000+ ATMs within the Allpoint network. You will not be charged a fee when using an in-network ATM, however, third-party fees incurred when using out-of-network ATMs are not subject to reimbursement. SoFi’s ATM policies are subject to change at our discretion at any time.

Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.

Overdraft Coverage is limited to $50 on debit card purchases only and is an account benefit available to customers with Eligible Direct Deposits of $1,000 or more during the current 30-day Evaluation Period as determined by SoFi Bank, N.A. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Members with a prior history of non-repayment of negative balances are ineligible for Overdraft Coverage.

Earn up to 4.50% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.80% APY as of 8/5/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking & Savings account with Eligible Direct Deposit by 1/31/26. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at sofi.com/banking#2. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.



Can an instant mobile check deposit be delayed?

Yes. Even if a bank offers instant mobile check deposits, delays can happen. Your deposit might take longer if you’re a new customer, you deposited the check after the bank’s cutoff time or the type of check isn’t eligible for instant processing.

Large checks that exceed daily deposit limits or accounts already in overdraft can also trigger a hold. In some cases, delays simply come down to the bank’s internal review process or technical issues with the mobile app. The bank will typically notify you if a hold is placed on any deposited funds.

What types of checks does Bank of America accept for mobile deposit?

Bank of America only accepts checks from a US financial institution in US dollars. These are the types of checks eligible for mobile deposit:

  • Personal checks
  • Business checks
  • Government/treasury checks
  • Cashier’s checks

Bank of America does not accept these via mobile deposit:

  • US savings bonds
  • Checks from foreign banks
  • Money orders
  • Traveler’s checks
  • Image replacement documents
  • Third-party checks
  • Checks not payable in US dollars
  • Oversized or undersized checks (such as rebate checks)

Alternatives to instant mobile check deposit

If your bank doesn’t offer instant mobile check deposits or you simply don’t like using the feature, here are some alternative ways to deposit a check:

  • Check-cashing services. Retailers, grocery stores or dedicated check-cashing outlets will often give you cash right away, though they usually charge a fee.
  • Direct deposit. If you prefer not to receive physical checks, consider setting up direct deposit with your employer. Some banks even offer early access to paychecks, sometimes up to two days early.
  • Deposit at a branch or ATM. Though not as convenient as mobile check deposits, you can always deposit your check directly with a teller or ATM.
  • Third-party apps.GO2bank let you cash checks through your phone for a fee.

Bottom line

Bank of America’s mobile check deposits aren’t instant, but most deposits made before the cutoff time are available the next business day. If you need even quicker access to your money, consider signing up for direct deposits or opening an account with a bank that offers instant mobile check deposits.

Frequently asked questions





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Jamela Adam is a personal finance writer with over three years of experience. Her work has been published in major publications, including Yahoo Finance, Forbes Advisor, U.S. News, Business Insider, GOBankingRates, CNN Underscored, and Chime. Jamela previously worked as a content marketing specialist and helped devise content strategies for major brands in the financial services space. She is also a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI). See full bio

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