How Much Check Can You Deposit in an ATM?
Navigate the specifics of ATM check deposits. Understand varying limits, fund availability, and smart alternatives for managing your money effectively.
An Automated Teller Machine (ATM) check deposit offers a convenient way to manage finances outside traditional banking hours. Understanding the specific procedures and limitations associated with these deposits helps ensure a smooth transaction.
Understanding ATM Check Deposit Limits
Financial institutions impose specific limits on check deposits made through an ATM. These limits are not universal and vary based on the bank’s policies and the individual customer’s account characteristics. Banks commonly implement daily deposit limits, which represent the maximum total amount that can be deposited via ATM within a single day.
Beyond daily limits, there can also be per-check limits, restricting the maximum value of a single check an ATM will accept. Account-specific factors, such as the customer’s account history, account type (e.g., new accounts may have lower limits), or overall relationship with the bank, can influence these limits. Daily ATM deposit limits often range from a few thousand dollars up to $10,000 or more. To ascertain precise limits, customers should consult their bank’s online banking platform, contact customer service, or observe prompts directly on the ATM screen during a deposit.
Ensuring a Smooth ATM Deposit
Depositing a check at an ATM involves several steps to ensure the transaction processes correctly. Properly endorsing the check is a primary requirement, which involves signing the back in the designated endorsement area. It is advisable to write “For Deposit Only” along with the account number below the signature.
The physical condition of the check is important; it should be flat, free of folds, and all printed information, including the amount, payee, and date, must be clear and legible. An ATM may reject checks that are damaged or difficult to read. During the deposit process, the ATM interface guides the user through inserting the check into the scanner and confirming the amount. It is important to verify that the amount displayed on the screen matches the check’s value before finalizing the transaction. Always retain the ATM receipt as proof of the transaction.
Accessing Your Deposited Funds
After a check is deposited at an ATM, the funds are not always immediately available for withdrawal. Financial institutions often place a “hold” on deposited funds to allow time for the check to clear and mitigate risks such as fraud. The Expedited Funds Availability Act, Regulation CC, governs these hold periods and sets maximum timeframes for when funds must be made available to customers.
Under Regulation CC, a portion of deposited funds, the first $225 (or $275 as of July 1, 2025), is made available by the next business day following the deposit. The remaining amount may be held for a few business days, usually within two to seven business days, depending on the check type and bank policy. Longer holds can occur due to factors such as:
Large check amounts (e.g., deposits exceeding $5,525 or $6,725 in one day)
New accounts (open for less than 30 days)
Accounts with a history of frequent overdrafts
Redeposited checks
If the bank has reasonable cause to doubt the check’s collectability
Customers can check the availability of their deposited funds through online banking platforms, mobile apps, or by contacting their bank’s customer service.
Alternative Deposit Methods
When ATM limits or fund availability concerns arise, several other methods are available for depositing checks. Mobile check deposit, offered by many banks through their mobile applications, allows users to deposit checks by taking photos of the front and back. This method offers convenience, though it may have its own daily or monthly deposit limits, which can differ from ATM limits.
Depositing a check directly with a teller at a bank branch is another option. This method offers higher deposit limits or no limits and may provide immediate access to a larger portion of funds, particularly for cashier’s checks or government checks. For situations where immediate access is not needed, some banks also accept checks sent via mail.