Make a deposit
Deposit a cheque in minutes by using your phone
With a picture of your cheque and just a few taps, you can deposit the funds into your account. This service is free, easy-to-use and secure.
- If you don't already use it, download our mobile app
- Open the app
- Tap deposit
- Enter your account and the amount of your deposit
- Snap a photo of the front and back of your cheque
- Tap Continue
Frequently asked questions
When I make a deposit using the mobile app, is the money available for me to use right away?
The deposit will appear immediately in your account activity, but will not be included in the available balance.
Can I deposit a U.S. dollar cheque?
Only Canadian dollar cheques can be deposited, and only into accounts located in Canada.
How long will FirstOntario hold my cheque before I can cash it?
Holds are placed on members’ accounts to protect you and the credit union against possible losses and/or fraudulent activity. Our guidelines for the duration of holds are below:
- In Province: 5-10 business days
- In Province (new member): 7-10 business days
- Out of Province: 10-20 business days
- United States: 30 business days
- All cheques for members who declined credit bureau authorization when membership was opened: 30 business days
To avoid having a hold placed on your account, you may wish to set up direct deposit arrangements with the sender if it’s a payment you’ll be receiving regularly. You can also arrange to receive the money by Interac e-Transfer® if the funds are coming from a Canadian financial institution in Canadian dollars. This is another option to transfer money that’s safe, easy and immediately available.
Is depositing cheques with a mobile phone safe?
Deposit Anywhere™ is safe and secure. This service is not a third-party app and does not require a separate download. By including it within the mobile banking app, your mobile banking transactions are protected and confidential. Cheque images are not stored on your device. Public and free Wi-Fi connections should not be used for banking transactions; for enhanced security, we recommend that you use your carrier’s internet connection.
Is there a dollar limit per individual cheque deposit, a daily deposit limit or maximum number of cheques that can be deposited per day?
Please contact us to find out about your limits. There is no maximum number of cheques that can be deposited per day.
What do I do with the cheque after I deposit it?
After depositing your cheque with Deposit Anywhere™, simply write “Deposited” across the front of the cheque with the date you deposited it and store it in a safe spot — we may need it for verification purposes.
After 120 days, you can safely dispose of the cheque by shredding it. There is no need to mail in the physical cheque.