Does a bank have to accept a check marked "for deposit only" with the account number of the person(s) the check is made out to, but no other endorsement? If so, is there legal documentation for making them accept the check? I recently went to the bank with four checks made out to my friend, with whom I have a joint account. I had the back of the checks marked "for deposit only" with the account number. I have been doing business with this bank for sixteen years. The teller told me that she could not accept the checks without an endorsement. I argued with her and she finally agreed to take them and used some stamp on the back. I have been doing this type of deposit for years at this and other banks, and have never had an issue. She gave me the distinct impression that she would not accept this again. I need to know who is right before I decide to change banks.
Although a bank can legally accept a check for deposit without an endorsement under the Uniform Commercial Code, the law doesn't require it. The addition to the Code that permits unendorsed checks to be deposited is observed by some banks and not by others. It was added primarily to address cases in which checks are processed in bulk by banks for high check volume businesses such as public utilities and others, but it also can benefit other banks that occasionally get unendorsed checks. Some banks don't avail themselves of the option.
I can't say why your bank appears to have changed policy in this area. Could the teller have been new to the bank, bringing with her what her previous employer told her to do? Perhaps a conversation with the head teller or branch manager would help determine whether your bank has decided not to accept unendorsed checks any longer, or if it was a case of the teller acting on her own initiative.
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Although a bank can legally accept a check for deposit without an endorsement under the 