Bank of Israel to Allow Post-Dated Check Deposits via Mobile Apps
The Bank of Israel will allow digital deposits of post-dated checks up to 100,000 NIS via mobile apps starting September 2026. The move aims to phase out physical branch visits and lower transaction fees.
The Bank of Israel announced on Monday that starting September 2, 2026, customers will be able to deposit post-dated (deferred) checks directly through commercial banking applications. The initiative, aimed at reducing reliance on physical branch visits and streamlining payment systems, will be rolled out gradually over the coming weeks, reaching full deployment during October 2026.
Until now, banking apps only supported the scanning and depositing of checks for immediate clearance, while post-dated checks required physical deposit at service stations or bank branches.
Limits and Eligible Banks
The new digital service will be offered by most major Israeli banks, including Bank Hapoalim, Bank Leumi, Discount and Mercantile, Mizrahi-Tefahot, First International Bank Group (FIBI), Bank Yahav, the digital bank One Zero, and the Postal Bank.
To manage risks during the initial phase, the central bank has established specific operational ceilings:
-
Digital deposits will be capped at 100,000 NIS per check.
-
The maximum deferral period is 13 months from the date of deposit.
-
The service is restricted to crossed checks bearing the "payee only" ("l'mutav bilvad") restriction.
A Shift in Physical Custody
The key operational shift lies in the custody of the physical paper. Unlike traditional custody services, where the bank physically holds the check in a vault until its maturity date, the digital service allows the customer to retain the physical check.
An image of the check is stored in the bank's database and automatically presented for payment on the designated date. The magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) line details and maturity date are transmitted between banks to facilitate clearing and prevent double-depositing. This transition is expected to lower operational costs for banks and reduce transaction fees for customers compared to over-the-counter deposits.
While cash and debit cards continue to dominate immediate transactions, the check market remains a vital economic channel. In 2025, check transaction volume reached approximately 640 billion NIS, accounting for about 5% of the total activity across major payment methods in the economy.
