How to Deposit a Check Into the Bank & Have It Clear Fast

Generally, when you make a check deposit, the bank must make the first $225 of the check amount available in your bank account on the next business day after the deposit is made. Barring any funds availability issues with the account the check is drawn on, the full amount of the check deposit should be available on the second business day. You can't necessarily speed up a check deposit, but there are steps you can take to ensure you don't slow down the processing or clearing of a deposited check.

The quickest ways to deposit checks are:

Direct deposit is usually the fastest way to deposit any type of check. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), many financial institutions immediately make electronic check deposits available, especially government checks.

In addition to a quick turnaround for routing, processing and funds availability, direct deposit means you don't have to go to the bank or ATM, endorse the back of the check or take photos of the check for a mobile app. In almost every way, a direct deposit is the fastest way to get money into your savings or checking account.

Mobile check deposit is a convenient way to deposit a paper check. Endorse the back of your check, snap photos with your mobile device and submit the check through your bank's mobile app. Online banking saves you a trip to the credit union, bank branch or ATM and can be done anytime, day or night.

Availability of funds isn't necessarily faster with mobile deposit, depending on the financial institution's cut-off time for the business day. Some banks have mobile transaction hours extending beyond the typical 5 p.m. closing time of branch locations.

Bank of America and Wells Fargo currently have cut-off times of 9 p.m. PT. Citi and Chase mobile cut-off times are 8:30 p.m. PT and 8 p.m. PT, respectively. Each institution generally makes funds available by the next business day after the deposit is made. Wells Fargo includes a date on the deposit receipt to indicate when funds will be available.

Call your bank or check its FAQs page for cut-off times and deposit limits of mobile deposits.

Depositing a check at the financial institution that houses your checking account isn't any faster or slower than making a mobile check deposit, outside of the time it takes to go to the bank, fill out a deposit slip and wait in line. Bank of America indicates that a teller deposit may sometimes process faster than an ATM or mobile deposit, allowing you to access your funds more quickly.

Some FAQs about deposits include:

Payroll and government checks usually clear the fastest because of better security features and low probability of overdraft or fraud.

Cashier's checks and money orders clear quickly, but some banks may enforce a hold time to verify the check. Personal checks tend to clear the slowest. Many banks make the funds available to you before verifying, but if the check bounces, the funds will be removed from your bank account via a chargeback.

HelpWithMyBank.gov recommends knowing your bank's deposit hold times and overdraft fees related to any chargebacks from a fraudulent cashier's check or bounced personal check.

Check clearing can be delayed if the front of the check isn't signed, the back of the check isn't endorsed or the bank account numbers or routing numbers are illegible. The amount of the check, type of check or availability of funds may also cause the bank to need additional time to clear the check. Making a deposit at an ATM that your bank doesn't own can increase processing time.

Help a paper check clear as quickly as possible by ensuring it is filled out properly, signed and endorsed. Whichever deposit method you use, follow the directions and receive notification that your deposit went in correctly. With a mobile check deposit, you will receive an email or text. When depositing at an ATM, you will receive a receipt.

Direct deposits can be available instantly, depending on your bank or credit union. When depositing a paper check drawn from the same place you have a bank account, processing and hold times may be accelerated or waived. In most cases, checks deposited via an app, ATM or in person won't appear in your checking or savings account until the next business day.

Depending on the type of check, amount and your bank's policy, some banks may cash a check immediately for account holders. Many banks require the account holder to have sufficient funds to cover the check in case it bounces. Whether the full amount of the check will be available – and how quickly – varies from bank to bank.

If the paper check is drafted from the same bank as the deposit account, a bank may clear the check deposit faster. Banks vary on cut-off times, deposit holds and how long it will take to access the total amount of the check. Some retailers, like Walmart, offer check cashing services for a fee.

The time it takes to clear a check for deposit not only varies from bank to bank, but also depends on the situation. If the bank believes a check may not clear or is fraudulent, the deposit hold time may be longer.