Mobile Cheque Deposit Limits at Major Canadian Banks
Mobile cheque deposit (called “Remote Deposit Capture” or RDC) is now available at all major Canadian banks. Limits depend on account type, account age, and banking relationship.
| Bank | Per-Cheque Limit | Daily Limit | Monthly Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| RBC | $10,000 (standard) | $10,000 | $50,000 |
| TD | $5,000–$10,000 | $10,000–$20,000 | Varies |
| Scotiabank | $5,000–$10,000 | $10,000 | Varies |
| BMO | $10,000 | $10,000–$25,000 | Varies |
| CIBC | $5,000–$10,000 | $10,000 | $50,000 |
| National Bank | $5,000 | $10,000 | Varies |
| Tangerine | $3,000 | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| EQ Bank | Up to $100,000 | Up to $100,000 | Varies |
| Simplii Financial | $5,000 | $10,000 | $25,000 |
| Desjardins | $10,000 | $10,000 | Varies |
Limits are for established accounts in good standing. New accounts typically have lower limits for the first 90–180 days.
New Account vs. Established Account Limits
Banks apply higher scrutiny to new accounts for cheque fraud risk:
| Account Age | Typical Limit Tier |
|---|---|
| 0–90 days | $500–$2,000 per cheque; $1,000–$5,000 daily |
| 90–180 days | $2,000–$5,000 per cheque |
| 6+ months | Standard limits apply |
| Premium/Private Banking | Higher limits available on request |
If you need to deposit a large cheque into a new account, visiting a branch is typically the only option.
Cheque Hold Policies
Under the Canadian Payments Act, federally regulated financial institutions must provide access to funds as follows:
| Cheque Type | Minimum Next-Day Availability |
|---|---|
| Government of Canada cheques | First $1,500 next business day |
| Certified cheques | First $1,500 next business day |
| Personal/business cheques (local) | First $100 immediately; $1,400 next business day |
| Personal/business cheques (non-local) | First $100 immediately; rest within 7 business days |
“Next business day” means the business day after the deposit — weekend deposits count from Monday.
How mobile deposits affect holds
Many banks apply standard hold periods to mobile cheque deposits regardless of the amount. Some apply longer holds than for in-branch deposits due to fraud risk. Your bank’s specific hold policy should be disclosed in your account agreement.
How to Deposit a Cheque via Mobile
General steps (most Canadian banking apps)
- Open your bank’s app and tap “Deposit” or “Deposit Cheque”
- Sign the back of the cheque — some banks require you to write “For mobile deposit only” below your signature
- Place the cheque on a flat, well-lit surface
- Photograph the front of the cheque (app guides alignment)
- Photograph the back of the cheque
- Enter the cheque amount
- Select the deposit account
- Submit and note the reference number
Keep the physical cheque
Do not destroy the original cheque until your deposit has cleared (usually 7+ business days). If a technical issue arises, you may need to re-deposit or present the original.
What to Do If Your Cheque Exceeds the Limit
If your cheque amount exceeds your mobile deposit limit:
- Visit a branch — in-branch deposits typically have much higher or no limits
- Request a temporary limit increase — call your bank’s service line; some increase limits for a specific cheque
- Wire transfer (for business) — if the payer can send funds via EFT/wire, this bypasses the cheque system entirely
- Split the payment — for arrangements where possible, ask the payer to issue two cheques on separate days
Security Tips for Mobile Cheque Deposits
- Photograph your cheque in good lighting to ensure the bank’s system can read all numbers clearly
- Check that the MICR line at the bottom of the cheque is fully visible (routing and account numbers)
- Write “DEPOSITED” on the back of the cheque after successful confirmation to prevent accidental re-deposit
- Only deposit cheques made out to you — depositing cheques made to someone else (even family) may be rejected and can trigger fraud flags