I am trying to transfer Roth IRA funds from broker to bank. If broker sends a check from my Roth account made payable to <<Receiving Institution>> FBO, For Benefit of <<my name>> and sends to my address, and then I bring to the bank but I don't cash this check but rather bring this check and deposits directly into my Roth IRA at bank is this considered a direct transfer?
Yes ... this is a direct transfer because YOU cannot negotiate the check ... it must be put in the account the check is written out to.
However, the check should be made out to <<Receiving Institution>> FBO <<my name>> Roth IRA. Leaving off the "Roth IRA" portion allows the check to be deposited into any of your accounts at the receiving institution. Depositing it into an account other than a Roth IRA would disqualify the transaction from being a trustee-to-trustee transfer even if the funds are subsequently deposited into a Roth IRA. If that happens it would constitute a reportable distribution and rollover rather than a nonreportable trustee-to-trustee transfer.