Mobile Check Deposit: Israeli Banks Launch Digital Service

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis will soon be able to skip trips to their bank branch just to deposit a postdated check. The Bank of Israel has announced the rollout of a new digital service allowing customers to deposit postdated checks directly from their smartphones, a development expected to significantly streamline banking operations and save customers considerable time.

The service will become available gradually over the coming weeks at most Israeli banks, including Bank Hapoalim, Leumi, Discount, Mercantile, Mizrahi Tefahot, the International Group, Bank Yahav, One Zero, and Postal Finance. According to the Bank of Israel, the system is expected to reach full operational capacity during October.

Through the new service, customers can deposit checks marked "cross" and "to payee only" via their banking apps, subject to several conditions: a maximum amount of 100,000 shekels per individual deposit, and a forward period of up to 13 months for postdated checks. The check image will be stored in the bank's systems and automatically presented for payment on the specified date.

Until now, anyone wishing to deposit postdated checks had to visit a physical branch for safekeeping deposit and often pay unnecessary bank fees. The new service eliminates this requirement and enables complete management of future payments with a single tap.

Bank of Israel data underscores the critical need for this move: in 2025 alone, check activity totaled approximately 640 billion shekels, representing about 5% of total activity across the economy's main payment methods. These figures demonstrate that checks remain a significant payment instrument, particularly among business owners and self-employed individuals.

Ofer Golan, head of the Payments and Clearing Department at the Bank of Israel, stated: "Checks continue to be a significant payment method in the Israeli economy. The new service combines a veteran payment infrastructure with advanced digital capabilities. This is a move that will contribute to process efficiency, improved public service, and strengthening the effectiveness of Israel's payment systems."

It should be noted that Bank Yerushalayim is not included in the list of banks launching the service in the first phase. The bank's customers will need to wait for further announcement regarding when the service will become available to them.

The initiative joins a series of digital steps the banking system has taken in recent years, aimed at streamlining service and reducing the need for physical branch visits. However, this time the service affects hundreds of thousands of customers who regularly use postdated checks, and could significantly change how business payments are managed throughout the economy.