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Comment by bergie | Hacker News Reader

I don't think a bank should ever have a mobile app instead of a nicely done web interface. Would you really want to use a bank that only works on iPhone?

There have been countless situations where I've had to make transactions in an internet cafe or using a friend's computer.

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Sounds like you've never experienced the joys of depositing checks by taking pictures of them on your phone. I do this now with my current bank and it's awesome. (And I don't think anyone is suggesting that the website is replaced with an app, but rather that the app would supplement the website).

You know, the only times in my life I've even seen a check have been when dealing with some US company (which is rarely). I have to admit being greatly amused with the combination of really old and really new that you have in using mobile apps to handle checks.

A Brit here, who has recently established a (B2B) company in the US. The check thing really surprised me too. The USA still loves checks: we receive them for most of the work we do, and make a lot of our payments that way.

From a personal perspective, I rarely use checks, except (and this blew my mind) I can set up a regular payment through my bank's website to a recipient. If the recipient's bank is on a similar system, the transactions are made digitally. If not, then they automatically mail a check each month. Transparent to me, but seriously.

Sounds like you've never experienced the joys of free, instant wire transfers. Taking pictures of cheques? Are you going to telegraph them after?

Free wire transfers are great, but what does that do for you when you have a check in your hand? How about both?

Why would you have a cheque in your hand if you and everyone else have the option of using wires?

A) not everyone does yet B) with a check you don't have to get any information from who you're paying other than the name.

I'm sure I'm going to feel really dumb after getting the answer to this, but what prevents someone from sending a picture of the same check to deposit in multiple banks through their respective phone apps?

Probably the same thing that prevents you from making up fake checks:

1) It will eventually get reconciled through the clearinghouse and the extra funds reverted.

2) The lawman will come for you.

The biggest deterrent is probably the criminal check fraud charge you would face. Most banks also have additional counter-measures in place to detect this type of fraud too, but you are right, it is a concern: http://www.americanbanker.com/btn/22_3/-374033-1.html

If you don't mind me asking, what is your bank? Is their non-mobile website decent?

I use USAA which has a web interface, a mobile web interface, an iPhone app and an Android app.

It's fantastic to be able to deposit checks by taking a picture of both sides instead of driving someplace, or throwing something in the mail.

If you're going to spam the thread with USAA recommendations you could at least avoid using a throwaway account and do it openly so that we can see your motivations.

Assuming you aren't just spamming on behalf of USAA, or even if you are: can any USAA customer deposit checks by taking a picture of both sides? I thought that was only if you had some sort of connection to the US military, no?

Yes, you can deposit checks by taking pictures. (I'm not the throwaway account above, but I do have a USAA account through my father-in-law, who's retired Navy. And yes, you need a US military connection to get an account there.)

Personally, I deposit checks via my scanner, but that's just because I don't have a smartphone. But I don't vastly care, because I deposit a check about... once every three months?

(The flip side of USAA is that they have no branches, if you ever need to talk to a human in person. Phone support, yes, in spades; branches, no.)

I have no military connection, but I have a USAA account. My understanding is that the check-deposit-via-photo feature is only available to customers with US military connections, but I'm looking for confirmation of that. (The USAA website is vague about the details.)

I use Alliant Credit Union, and they allow deposit of scanned checks online. I have used my phone to take the pictures before, and they were accepted.

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