Tangerine’s mobile app supports cheque deposit — an important feature for a bank with no branch network. The standard limits are $5,000 per cheque and $10,000 per day for established accounts. For cheques above these limits, Scotiabank branch tellers can process deposits to Tangerine accounts, or you can deposit at another institution and transfer the funds electronically.
Tangerine Mobile Cheque Deposit Limits
| Limit Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Per cheque | $5,000 | Single cheque maximum |
| Daily limit | $10,000 | Resets at midnight ET |
| USD cheques | Not supported | Deposit at another bank |
| Fund availability | $100 next day; remainder 4–7 days | Standard personal accounts |
How to Deposit a Cheque via Tangerine App
- Open the Tangerine app and log in
- Tap Deposit Cheque from the account menu
- Select the account to deposit into (chequing or savings)
- Enter the cheque amount
- Endorse the back: sign your name and write “For Tangerine mobile deposit only” below your signature
- Photograph the front of the cheque — all four corners visible, in good lighting, no glare
- Photograph the back of the cheque
- Review and submit
- Retain the physical cheque for 90 days, then shred
Fund Availability Schedule
| Cheque Type | First $100 | Remainder |
|---|---|---|
| Standard personal cheque | Next business day | 4–7 business days |
| Government of Canada cheque | Next business day | Often 1–2 business days |
| Certified cheque or bank draft | Next business day | Typically 1–2 business days |
| New Tangerine account (< 90 days) | May be held | Up to 7 business days |
| First deposit or large amount | May trigger review | Up to 7 business days |
Cheques Over $5,000: Your Options
Unlike the Big Five banks, which offer ATM envelope deposits as an alternative, Tangerine ATMs don’t exist — Scotiabank ATMs are shared infrastructure but do not process Tangerine deposits. For cheques above the mobile deposit limit:
Option 1: Scotiabank branch teller
- Scotiabank tellers can process deposits to Tangerine accounts at a branch
- Not all tellers are familiar with the process — be prepared to explain
- Best for occasional large cheques when you are already near a Scotiabank branch
Option 2: Deposit at another bank, then transfer
- Deposit the cheque at your nearest Big Five bank branch (or any bank where you hold an account)
- Wait for the hold to clear
- Transfer funds to Tangerine via EFT (linked account) or Interac e-Transfer (up to $3,000/transaction)
- More reliable than Option 1 for regular large deposits
Tangerine vs Competitors: Cheque Deposit Options
| Bank | Mobile Deposit | ATM Envelope Deposit | Branch Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| RBC, TD, CIBC, Scotiabank, BMO | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tangerine | Yes | No | Scotiabank teller only |
| Simplii Financial | Yes | CIBC ATMs | No |
| EQ Bank | Yes | No | No |
Tangerine has a slight advantage over EQ Bank — Scotiabank tellers can accept deposits for Tangerine clients, though this is an informal workaround. Simplii clients can use CIBC ATM envelope deposits, which is more reliable than the Tangerine/Scotiabank teller option.