I was absolutely thrilled to discover that my credit union now offers online deposits. For the last few years, I’ve really dreaded getting physical checks from people because it meant that I’d have to plan a trip to an ATM or one of my credit union lobbies. Don’t get me wrong, the people at my credit union are top notch, but it’s just such a hassle to go there. I will admit it wasn’t horrible to stop by an ATM but inevitably a line of 10 people would show up behind me as I was licking envelopes and going through the lengthy deposit process.
Well, now I don’t need to worry about it any more. I can now deposit checks from the comfort of my own home. What does it take?
Basically, you just need a scanner and Internet access. That’s about it. You keep the check and your money is available (with some restrictions) immediately. All you do is scan the front and back of the check that you want to deposit, enter in the deposit amount and that’s it!
A company called “Fiserv” is behind many of the credit unions that are now rolling out this service. I’m not sure when the big commercial banks will be on board with this new feature, although I do know that USAA offers online deposits. Does your bank or credit union offer online deposits? If so, let us know who it is!
Can’t you guys just e-mail the money instead? Who uses cheques these days?
My credit union – Delta Community Credit Union – in Atlanta offers this service. It works a little bit different and you don’t need a scanner. You log on to online banking, enter a check # and the amount and then print out a special deposit slip. The check is credited immediately and all I have to do is mail the check to the credit union within 10 days in the special deposit envelope.
All 3 of my banks offer this feature – Alliant Credit Union, ETrade Bank, and Citizens Bank (one of the largest in the Northeast).
oh sorry i was getting confused w/the comment above. all my banks offer the feature of entering my deposits online (which i have access to instantly) then i mail the check in the mail.
That seems like it’s still better than having to go in to a lobby or to an ATM, although it’d be a pain to keep stamps around to mail them in. Can you tell we never mail anything?
And Traciatim, yes, I’d much prefer to use Paypal for everything!