I am wondering is it possible to deposit a check issued in the US to a Swiss bank account? WE will likely receive deposits for some items after we move and they will be forwarded to us in Switzerland. I am wondering if we can deposit the funds there (or is there another way to do this)?
Firstly, assuming you're a US citizen, congratulations on opening a Swiss bank acount.
Yes, your bank should be able to accept a US cheque (mine does, anyway!). However, they will likely levy a charge for this, and they may stare suspiciously at the cheque (simply because it's a cheque, not because it's from the US) for a few minutes, have it passed around from manager to manager within the branch, and have it stamped several times in contrasting hues. If you bank where I do.
And keep in mind it can a few weeks (or months) to have it paid out to your account and they'll charge a fee. And don't open an account at the Post as they don't take checks (and look at you as if you're insane if you walk in with one - I doubt anyone working the desks has seen one or at least not in years).
If you're expecting a few cheques, could you mail them back to your amenable friend in the US and ask her to deposit them into your US bank account (or you could, by mail, if your bank accepts deposits by mail), then transfer the funds periodically by internet transfer?
You'd save a bundle on fees. Of course, you'd have to spend a little on mailing costs, but not much.
I deposit US dollar checks to my UBS account all the time. The form I use is called a "Check-Einreichung" (9082 AN according to the UBS numbering system), and functions like a deposit slip. I mail it to the bank along with whatever checks I have. The checks are usually credited toward the end of the month. The bank does charge 5 francs a pop, and that amount isn't forgiven even if you keep your balance up. When the dollar was strong, I didn't care that much. Now, though, with the exchange rate so close to 1:1, I've been mailing my dollar checks to my account back in the States so as not to lose both in fees and conversion. I can always wire the money to myself here if I need it.
It is easier to wire money and cheaper. We deposited a cashiers check for a large number of pounds and it cost 30chf plus currency conversion percentage. It was a little cheaper and much much faster to wire money over from the UK.
And yes it is much easier to send your checks back to the USA and have someone take them in for you.
has anyone here ever used the US Bank online check deposit service with a Mac (OS 10.5 or higher) from Switzerland? can you let me know which scanner you used and what version of java that you used?