You can deposit cash into another person's Bank of America account, but the method depends on whether you have their debit card and PIN, or whether you're depositing at a branch in person.

The most direct way is to use their debit card and PIN at a Bank of America ATM — you insert their card, enter their PIN, select deposit, and feed in the cash. The deposit posts to their account immediately or within one business day. If you don't have their card and PIN, you can walk into a Bank of America branch with cash and their account information (their name and account number), and a teller will deposit it for you. Both methods work, but they have different requirements and timelines.

If the person whose account you're depositing into is not present, the branch deposit is your only option. You'll need to provide the teller with the account holder's full name and account number. Some branches may ask for additional information to verify the account exists, but they do not require the account holder to be there. The cash posts the same business day if you deposit before the branch's cutoff time, usually 2 p.m.

Key Takeaways

  • You can deposit cash at a Bank of America ATM using the account holder's debit card and PIN, and the money posts immediately or within one business day.
  • You can also walk into any Bank of America branch with cash and the account holder's name and account number, and a teller will deposit it without the account holder being present.
  • ATM deposits are faster and require no interaction with staff, but you need the debit card and correct PIN.
  • Branch deposits work even if you don't have the card, but you must have the account holder's full name and account number.
  • Deposits made before the branch cutoff (usually 2 p.m.) post the same business day; after that, they post the next business day.

Depositing cash at a Bank of America ATM

To deposit cash at an ATM, you need the account holder's debit card and their PIN. Insert the card into any Bank of America ATM, enter the PIN, and navigate to the deposit option. The ATM will prompt you to insert cash — most machines accept bills up to $100 bills, and some accept up to 50 bills per transaction. The ATM counts the cash and displays the amount on screen before you confirm. Once confirmed, the deposit is recorded in the account immediately, though the funds may take up to one business day to settle.

This method is available 24/7 at any Bank of America ATM, so you can deposit cash at any time without waiting for branch hours. There is no fee for depositing cash at your own bank's ATM. If you're using an ATM outside the Bank of America network, you may be charged a surcharge by the other bank, but the deposit will still post to the Bank of America account.

Depositing cash at a Bank of America branch

Walk into any Bank of America branch during business hours with the cash and the account holder's full name and account number. You do not need the debit card, the PIN, or the account holder to be present. Tell the teller you want to deposit cash into someone else's account, and provide the name and account number. The teller will verify the account exists, count the cash, and process the deposit.

Deposits made before the branch cutoff time (usually 2 p.m., but check your local branch) post the same business day. Deposits made after cutoff post the next business day. There is no fee for this deposit. Some branches may ask for a phone number or additional information to verify the account, but this is routine and does not delay the deposit.

What information you need to provide

If you're depositing at a branch, you need the account holder's full legal name and their account number. The account number is a 10-digit number that appears on their debit card, checks, or bank statements. You do not need their Social Security number, date of birth, or any other personal information. If you have their debit card, the account number is printed on the front.

If you're depositing at an ATM, you only need the debit card and PIN — the card itself contains all the account information the ATM needs. Make sure the PIN is correct before you start the deposit, because an incorrect PIN will lock the card after a few attempts.

Timing and when the money posts

Cash deposits at Bank of America ATMs post immediately to the account balance, though the funds may take up to one business day to fully settle. This means the account holder can usually see the deposit right away, but if they try to withdraw or transfer the full amount within 24 hours, the bank may hold part of it until the deposit fully clears.

Cash deposits at a branch post the same business day if made before the branch cutoff time (usually 2 p.m.). Deposits made after cutoff post the next business day. Weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days, so a deposit made on Friday evening posts on Monday (assuming Monday is not a holiday).

Limits on how much you can deposit

Bank of America does not publish a daily limit for cash deposits into someone else's account at a branch. However, deposits of $10,000 or more trigger a federal reporting requirement called a Currency Transaction Report (CTR), which the bank files with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). This is routine and legal — it does not mean anything is wrong — but the bank will ask for identification and may ask why you are making the deposit.

ATM deposits may have lower limits depending on the machine. Most Bank of America ATMs accept up to 50 bills per transaction, which could be $5,000 if all bills are $100 bills, but some machines have lower limits. The ATM will display its limit when you start the deposit. If you need to deposit more than the ATM accepts, you can make multiple deposits or go to a branch.

What happens if the account number is wrong

If you provide an incorrect account number at a branch, the teller will attempt to verify the account and will tell you if the number does not match any account at Bank of America. The deposit will not be processed. You can ask the account holder to confirm their account number and try again.

If you use an incorrect account number at an ATM, the machine will reject the deposit and return the cash. The ATM will display an error message. Do not leave the ATM until you have retrieved your cash. If the cash does not come out, contact Bank of America customer service immediately with the ATM location and time of the failed deposit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need the account holder's permission to deposit cash into their account?

Legally, no — anyone can deposit cash into an account if they have the account number and the account holder's name. However, it is good practice to tell the person whose account you are depositing into, especially if it is a large amount. If the account holder did not authorize the deposit and disputes it later, the bank will investigate, but the deposit itself is not reversed simply because the account holder says they did not ask for it.

Can I deposit cash into a Bank of America account if I don't know the account number?

No. At a branch, you need the account holder's full name and account number. At an ATM, you need their debit card and PIN. If you have neither, you cannot deposit cash into the account. Ask the account holder for their account number or debit card.

What if I deposit cash and the account holder says they never received it?

If you deposited at a branch or ATM, the deposit is recorded in the bank's system. The account holder can contact Bank of America customer service and ask for a record of the deposit. If the deposit posted to the correct account, it will show in their transaction history. If it posted to the wrong account by mistake, the bank can investigate and move the funds. Keep your receipt from the ATM or branch as proof of the deposit.

Is there a fee to deposit someone else's cash into their Bank of America account?

No. Deposits into your own account at Bank of America ATMs and branches are free. If you use an ATM outside the Bank of America network, the other bank may charge a surcharge, but Bank of America does not charge a fee for the deposit itself.

Can I deposit a check into someone else's Bank of America account the same way?

No. Checks require the payee's endorsement (signature on the back) and must be deposited into an account in the payee's name. You cannot deposit a check into someone else's account unless they sign the back of the check and write "Pay to the order of [your name]" above their signature, which is called a third-party check. Bank of America accepts third-party checks at branches but not at ATMs, and some branches have restrictions on them.