The checks must be made payable to you and you must make the deposit in person. Your bank may also require that you use a special deposit slip. Be sure to ask. Anyone may receive a copy of a bank's funds availability policies by stepping up to a teller and asking. These booklets, while chock-full of valuable information, are not fun to read.
Some spots can be difficult to decipher.
If you have questions, ask. Cash and electronic deposits easiest to access The rules concerning cash and electronic deposits, such as wire transfers and direct deposits, are the easiest to understand. Federal regulations require banks to make all money from these types of deposits available on the next business day. This goes for new customers, too. Some banks allow same-day withdrawals.