Chase does not operate coin machines in most branches, and the bank has been phasing them out for years

If you walk into a Chase branch with a bag of coins, the teller will not point you to a machine in the corner. Chase removed most of its coin-counting machines between 2010 and 2015 as part of a cost-cutting move. Some very old branches may still have one, but you cannot count on it — and calling ahead to ask will usually get you a "no."

What Chase will do instead depends on whether you have an account there. If you are a Chase customer, you can deposit coins directly at the teller window, and they will count and credit them to your account the same day. If you do not have a Chase account, the bank will not accept loose coins at all.

This shift away from coin machines is not unique to Chase. Most major banks stopped offering them years ago because the machines are expensive to maintain, and fewer people carry coins. But it means you need a backup plan if you have rolled coins or loose change.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase customers can deposit coins directly at the teller window during business hours, and the deposit posts the same day.
  • Chase does not have coin machines in branches and will not accept loose coins from non-customers.
  • Rolled coins (in paper sleeves) are easier to deposit than loose coins and may be accepted at some Chase branches even if the teller is busy.
  • If your local Chase branch refuses coins, Coinstar machines at grocery stores and retail locations will convert them to cash or a gift card.
  • Some credit unions and local banks still operate coin machines, so calling ahead can save you a trip.

How to deposit coins at Chase if you have an account

Go to your branch during business hours with your coins in a bag or container. Tell the teller you want to deposit coins. They will count them — either by hand or by pouring them into a counting tray — and add the total to your account. There is no fee for this service if you are a Chase customer.

Rolled coins speed up the process. If you have already rolled your coins in paper sleeves (the standard is 50 pennies, 40 nickels, 25 dimes, or 20 quarters per roll), the teller can often accept them without counting. Some branches will still count them to verify, but rolled coins are less likely to hold up the line. Loose coins take longer because the teller has to count each one or use a manual tray. If your branch is busy, the teller may ask you to come back at a slower time or may ask you to roll them first.

A few branches have a policy against accepting loose coins altogether, so if you hit resistance, ask to speak to the branch manager — most will override the teller and accept them. Bringing rolled coins removes this friction entirely and makes your deposit faster for everyone in line.

What to do if Chase will not take your coins

If your branch refuses or you do not have a Chase account, a Coinstar machine is your fastest option. These machines are located in most grocery stores (Safeway, Kroger, Whole Foods), Target, Walmart, and some CVS locations. You dump your coins in, the machine counts them, and you get cash or a gift card code. Coinstar takes a percentage — usually between 10 and 12 percent — so if you have $10 in coins, you will get about $8.80 to $9 back.

Local banks and credit unions often still have coin machines, even though Chase does not. Call ahead to ask whether they have one and whether you need to be a member to use it. Some will let anyone use the machine for a small fee (usually 50 cents to $1), while others reserve it for account holders only. If you want to avoid fees entirely, you can spend the coins directly — at a store, laundromat, parking meter, or vending machine. This takes longer but costs nothing.

Why Chase stopped offering coin machines

Coin machines are expensive to buy, maintain, and empty. A single machine can cost $3,000 to $5,000 upfront, and the bank has to pay someone to service it regularly. As fewer people use coins — especially after the rise of debit cards and mobile payments — the cost stopped making sense for large banks.

Chase made the decision to remove machines from branches starting around 2010. By 2015, most were gone. Other major banks (Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank) made the same choice around the same time. Regional banks and credit unions have been slower to remove theirs, partly because they have smaller networks and lower overhead. The trend reflects a broader shift in how people pay for things.

Rolled coins versus loose coins: which is easier to deposit

Rolled coins are always easier. A teller can often accept a roll without opening it, which means your transaction takes 30 seconds instead of five minutes. If you have a large amount of coins, rolling them before you go to the bank saves time and reduces the chance the teller will ask you to come back later.

You can buy coin rolls at most banks for free (ask at the teller window), or buy them at office supply stores, hardware stores, or online. The standard sizes are: pennies (50 per roll), nickels (40 per roll), dimes (25 per roll), quarters (20 per roll), half-dollars (20 per roll), and dollar coins (25 per roll). If you do not want to roll them yourself, Coinstar machines will do it for you — but they charge the same percentage fee as they do for cash conversion, so there is no savings.

Other banks and credit unions that still have coin machines

Availability varies widely by location and institution. Some options to call and ask about:

  • Local and regional banks: Smaller banks often still operate coin machines because they have fewer branches and lower volume. Call your local bank and ask.
  • Credit unions: Many credit unions maintain coin machines for members. If you belong to one, ask whether yours has one.
  • Federal Reserve branches: The Federal Reserve does not serve the public directly, but some of its regional offices will exchange coins for cash if you bring them in person. This is not a common option and varies by location.
  • Grocery stores and retail chains: Coinstar machines are in most major grocery stores and some Target and Walmart locations. No account needed, but you pay a fee.

Before making a trip, call ahead. Many branches and credit unions will tell you over the phone whether they have a machine and what their policy is for non-members. This saves you time and eliminates the frustration of showing up only to be turned away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit coins at a Chase ATM?

No. Chase ATMs only accept bills, not coins. You must go to a teller window during business hours to deposit coins.

Will Chase take coins if I roll them myself?

Yes. Rolled coins are accepted at the teller window. The teller may open a few rolls to verify the count, but rolled coins are much faster to process than loose coins.

Is there a limit to how many coins I can deposit at Chase?

Chase does not publish a hard limit, but depositing more than a few dollars in coins may take a long time and could be refused if the branch is busy. If you have a large amount, call ahead and ask the branch manager whether they can handle it.

Do I have to be a Chase customer to use a Coinstar machine?

No. Coinstar machines are open to anyone. You do not need an account. You will pay a fee (usually 10 to 12 percent) to convert coins to cash or a gift card.

What should I do with coins if no bank near me has a machine?

Spend them directly at stores, parking meters, or laundromats. If you want cash, find a Coinstar machine at a nearby grocery store or retail location, or ask a local credit union whether they have a coin machine you can use.