Gyroscopic Investing

My wife received a check payable to her. I endorsed the back 'For Deposit Only' and then our account number for our joint checking account.

The teller refused to deposit it, because my wife didn't sign it.

OK, I realize my Business Law class was a long time ago, and I am sure that in class we learned 'For Deposit Only' + account number was the safest/easiest way to deposit a check. In any event it is the way I've always deposited checks.

The teller seemed to try to tell me that this method of endorsing a check, with 'For Deposit Only' only, is no longer allowed?

Anyone have any ideas? Internet searches don't seem to reveal any information about a change to the Commercial Code.

I think the problem was that you, not your wife, was trying to deposit the check into a joint account where you, and not just your wife, would then have access to the funds.

If your wife had been present, I bet there would have been no problem. Or if you had just used the ATM for the deposit, again I suspect there would have been no problem.

I can’t remember the last time I went to a teller to deposit a check. I’ve been doing it with my phone via my bank’s mobile app for several years. They instruct us to endorse the check exactly as you did. I have deposited checks into joint accounts and our kids’ accounts with no problem. Of course with the app it’s all automated so nobody asks any questions anyway.

I do know they don't like or don't allow For Deposit Only any more. I don't know why.

When I was a teller, this sufficed, "For credit to the account of the within named payee."