How do you pay-in a cheque?

ziknik

Sounds like a daft question, I know, but...

I get a half hour lunch break at work so I can't take cheques to the bank during office hours.

I went to the bank today (Sunday) with a cheque & pay-in slip in a sealed envelope expecting to be able to post them through a safe slot in the bank.

First I went to Barclays. the safe slot requires a key which I don't have.

Next I went to HSBC (where I also have an account). There was a letter box, in a glass door. I decided not to post my envelope because it would be sat in view of anyone passing by. I could see a paying machine on the 'wrong side' of the glass door.

As I walked home with my cheque, I walked past a Lloyds which also didn’t have a box for receiving cheque payments.

Is this common for all banks?

I searched the net and found that A+L allow you to post your cheques to them.

Does anyone else have the same trouble?

techno_geek

You can post cheques to your branch or put it in an envelope and put it through their letterbox, as long as you enclose a paying-in slip. Some cash machines also accept cheques to pay in, but it varies from bank to bank, branch to branch.

Errata

I often put my cheques in the ordinary post. You can check your account online to see if it gets credited to your account, and if it doesn't you can chase it up.

dzug

With Barclays and Lloyds (and several others, but not HSBC) you can pay your cheques in over the counter at any Post Office, if that's more convenient than a bank. You need a paying in slip and a special envelope which the bank will supply (although the PO will probably have a few spare for emergencies)

AnW'sMum

You can pay in cheques for certain accounts at the post office, Lloyds and A&L are 2 from memory not sure which others. Many post offices are open later and also on Saturday mornings.

iceicebaby

I just post mine to my bank along with a paying in slip

clarkey1000

Halifax won't even give me a paying in book so I have to go into the branch everytime. :mad:

Why do banks seem to be going back in time!!

well in this country at least - my brother in Hong Kong is with HSBC and can pay in cheques using a machine individually and put a note with each one saying who it's from and it all appears on his statement - wouldn't that be nice (I think it may be still only during opening hours though)

ziknik

iceicebaby wrote: »

I just post mine to my bank along with a paying in slip

Do you post to your own branch, local branch or head office?

Stephen_Leak

dzug wrote: »

(although the PO will probably have a few spare for emergencies)

Actually, no. They are only allowed to handle the sealed envelopes. If they don't have any unselaed envelopes, there is no way that the PO staff can be accused of mishandling the cheques.

medic1978

I just deposit cheque into a cash machine. Many have one that is suitable.

Out of hours, some branches (in town centres) allow access to the cash machines which allow cheque deposits e.g. by swiping your card through a reader first which then opens door

Nationwide even scan the cheque and then give you a printed receipt for it

saxmund

All Abbey National cashpoints at branches (but not remote ones) allow you to pay in cheques, although with their current online banking problems I'd hesitate to recommend Abbey to anyone - I am now contemplating moving my account. Online bank accounts will normally give you prepaid envelopes so you can pay in by post. Maybe it's time to think about shifting your account - in my view, convenience and practiality is probably the most important criterion.