Depositing checks
Overview
Account admins, AP clerks, and any other users with the specific product capability can deposit checks into your checking account provided by Column N.A., in conjunction with your Brex business account from the Brex mobile app. The app lets you take a photo of your physical check and starts processing it right away. Checks will typically clear in 2-5 banking days after they’ve been deposited. Until they’ve fully cleared, the funds won’t be available for use.
Note: Brex does not accept or process mailed checks.
Accepted check types
Before depositing a check into your checking account, please make sure it’s issued in one of the following formats:
- Cashier’s checks
- Regular handwritten checks
- E-checks
- E-checks are accepted as long as the deposit photo isn't a screen capture. The check must be printed and the word “e-check” or “electronic check” must be present on the check.
As a general rule, the check can’t be on printed paper, unless it is a printed e-check. The content in the Pay to the order of field, the amount, and the signature must all be input by wet pen.
We cannot accept any of the following check formats:
- Money orders
- Traveler’s checks
- Printed checks (Excluding printed e-checks as noted above)
- Photocopies or screenshots of checks
- Checks in currency other than USD
- Checks that did not originate from a US-based bank account
- Promissory notes
Payor instructions
Once you make sure that we support the type of check your payor plans to issue, you’ll want to work with that payor to make sure all the other check details are correct. This helps to ensure your check deposits are smooth and quick.
Where to send the check
Payors will need to send the check to your own business address, or that of an account admin or AP clerk. The check cannot be mailed to Brex directly. If your payor has already sent the physical check to one of our offices, get a stop payment issued on this check, and request that the sender reissue the check to your business address.
Who to make the check out to
To successfully deposit a check into your checking account, request that your payor make the check payable to one of the following names:
- Legal business name: Your Brex business account’s legal name is the name you provide us with during the application process.
- Doing Business As (DBA) name: You can designate one or more DBA names for your Brex business account at any point after your account is approved. DBA has to be on file with Brex or the check deposit may be rejected.
Deposit instructions
Once you have your check in hand, it’s time to deposit it via the Brex app.
In the app
Step 1: In your Brex app, tap Accounts at the bottom of the screen.
Step 2: On the Business account page, tap Deposit near the top of the screen. Then tap Deposit a check at the bottom.
Step 3: Select a checking account to deposit your check into and tap Continue.
Step 4: Fill out the required information. This includes the check amount and the name of the sender.
Step 5: Take a photo of the front and back of the endorsed check. The check will need to be horizontally aligned.
When taking a photo of the back of the check, make sure to click the box that says Check here if mobile or remote deposit, if applicable.
The app will provide live feedback on image quality and automatically take the photo when it meets the appropriate parameters. You’ll have the option to retake the photo and receive a notification if the check has already been submitted.
Note: After 20 seconds of an unsuccessful automatic picture attempt, you'll see an option for manual image capture.
Step 6: Confirm the check details to start processing the deposit.
Check processing time
Checks will typically clear within 2-5 banking days. However, processing times might vary depending on a variety of factors.
You can view the status of your deposit from your Brex dashboard under Accounts > Transactions.
Successful check deposits
Here are some tips for a successful check deposit:
- You can only deposit checks using your primary entity’s business name, unless your other entities have separate Brex business accounts.
- Checks must be endorsed before they can be deposited.
- We encourage endorsement in the format of “your legal name + for mobile deposit only at Column N.A.”.
- Use ballpoint pens for a clean line, in blue or black ink.
- Don’t use pencils, felt-tip pens, or sharpies.
- Don’t use a single dot or line–use as close to your actual signature as possible.
- Ensure that all fields of the check are legible and accurate.
- Take the photo on a solid black background.
- Check for intrusions on the Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) line and make sure the check, account, and routing numbers are fully visible.
- If any part of the MICR line is obstructed, the check won’t be accepted and you’ll need to request a new one.
If your check deposit fails, make sure that the check format is supported and that there are no illegible or missing details. For more information on failed check deposits, refer to the section below.
Failed check deposits
When you deposit a check into your checking account, it goes through a verification process to make sure it meets all requirements. If it does not, the deposit may be rejected.
Below are the most common reasons why check deposits are rejected, along with what you can do to fix the issue or try again successfully.
Duplicate submission
The same check has already been deposited—possibly at Brex or another bank. Banks do not allow a check to be processed more than once, even if it was rejected the first time.
To resolve this, ask the payor to issue a new check with the same amount. Then deposit the new check instead.
Missing or invalid date
The check was either postdated (set to a future date), too old (more than 180 days), or missing a date altogether. We also follow any validity period printed on the check, if the check includes a shorter expiration timeframe.
To resolve this, request a new check dated today or within the last 180 days.
Missing signature or endorsement
Checks must be signed by the payor and endorsed by the recipient (you or an authorized user).
Make sure the check is fully signed and endorsed. If not, contact the payor for a new check.
Blank payable line or amount
If the check is missing the payee’s name or the amount (numerical or written), it’s considered incomplete. Ask the payor to issue a new check that includes:
- Payee name (your business name or DBA)
- Exact dollar amount written in numbers and words
Payable name mismatch
The name on the check doesn’t match the business name or DBA registered with your Brex account.
Ensure the check is made payable to your company’s legal or DBA name as listed on your Brex profile.
Check image issues
The photo of the check was blurry, cropped, poorly lit, or taken from a screen.
To resolve this, retake the image using a physical check. Place it on a dark, flat surface with:
- Good lighting.
- All four corners visible.
- Clear, legible text.
Manual amount mismatch
The amount you entered during the deposit does not match what was printed on the check.
Carefully re-check both the numerical and written amounts on the check, and re-enter them exactly as shown.
Altered or tampered check
Checks with crossed-out amounts, white-out, overwriting, or any visible edits are flagged as suspicious.
Request a new check from the payor. All information must be clearly written with no alterations.
Unauthorized payee
The check was made out to someone who isn’t authorized to deposit into your Brex account.
To resolve this, follow either of the following steps:
- Ask the payor to issue a new check to your business name, or
- Add the individual as an admin on your Brex account if appropriate.
Numerical/written amount mismatch
The number (e.g., $500) and the written amount (“Five thousand”) didn’t match.
Have the payor reissue the check with matching amounts in both fields.
Unsupported check type
Checks like money orders, third-party checks, or stimulus checks are not supported.
Ask the sender to use a standard business or personal check, or consider using ACH or wire transfer instead.
Note: You can re-submit the same check if the issue was a blurry image, wrong amount entry, or missing endorsement, and you still have the original check in good condition. If the check was flagged as a duplicate, expired, altered, or if it was previously submitted to another bank, please ask the sender to issue a new check.
Returned check deposits
Once deposited, your check begins processing and the funds appear on your Accounts page.
If the paying bank cannot process the check, the deposit is returned. When this happens, the funds are removed from your account and the check is assigned a return code.
Note: Re-depositing a returned check without resolving the issue can result in additional returns.
Not sufficient funds (NFS)
The account the check was drawn from did not have enough available funds to cover the amount.
To resolve this, contact the check issuer and request a new check or a different payment method once sufficient funds are available.
Stop payment
The check issuer instructed their bank not to honor the check or cancel the outgoing check.
To resolve, contact the issuer to understand why the payment was stopped and request a replacement if appropriate.
Closed account
The bank account the check was drawn on has been closed.
To resolve, ask the issuer for a new check from an active account or an alternative payment method.
Unable to locate account
The account number or routing information on the check is invalid or no longer exists.
To resolve, verify the account details with the payor, and request a new check.
Stale dated
The check is too old to be processed, typically older than six months.
To resolve, request a new check or a different form of payment.
Post dated
The check was deposited before the date written on it.
To resolve, ask the issuer to reissue it.
Endorsement missing
The check was not properly endorsed by the payee.
To resolve, request the issuer reissue the check.
Endorsement irregular
The endorsement on the check does not meet bank requirements.
To resolve, request a replacement check.
Signature(s) missing
The check is missing one or more required signatures.
To resolve, ask the issuer to provide a properly signed check.
Signature(s) irregular
The signature could not be verified or appears inconsistent.
To resolve, work directly with the issuer to confirm authenticity and request a new check.
Uncollected funds hold
The funds in the issuer’s account are not yet fully available.
To resolve, confirm with the issuer when funds will be available and request the issuer to reissue.
Unable to process
The check is damaged, illegible, or missing required information.
To resolve, request a replacement check.
Not authorized
The check was not authorized by the account holder.
To resolve, verify authorization with the issuer before re-depositing.
Non-cash item
The item deposited is not a negotiable check.
To resolve, ask the issuer for a valid, negotiable payment method.
Branch or account sold / wrong bank
The check was issued from a bank or branch that no longer exists.
To resolve, confirm updated banking details with the issuer and request an updated check.
Altered / fictitious item
The check appears altered or potentially counterfeit.
To resolve, contact the issuer and do not redeposit unless a new, valid check is provided.
Refer to maker
The paying bank requires you to contact the check issuer for more information.
To resolve, reach out to the issuer directly to resolve the issue.
Item exceeds maximum value
The check amount exceeds processing limits.
To resolve, request an alternative payment method or a replacement check for a lower amount.