Yes, you can deposit change into your bank account
Most banks accept coins and paper money as regular deposits. You can walk into a branch with a handful of change, hand it to a teller, and have it added to your account the same day. Some banks also let you deposit change through an ATM, though not all machines accept coins — check your bank's website or call ahead to confirm which ATMs at your branch take them.
The process is straightforward: bring your change to the teller, they count it (or you can count it first and write down the total), and it posts to your account immediately or within one business day. There is no fee for depositing your own coins at most banks, though a few charge a small amount if you use a coin-counting machine on the premises.
If you have a large amount of change — more than a few dollars' worth — some banks ask you to roll it first or use their coin counter. A few banks have stopped accepting loose coins altogether, so if you bank at a smaller or online-only institution, contact them directly before you show up with a bag of pennies.
Key Takeaways
- You can deposit coins and paper money at any bank branch during business hours by handing them to a teller.
- Most ATMs do not accept coins, so check with your bank about which machines at your branch take them before you try.
- Deposits post to your account the same day or within one business day, and there is usually no fee for depositing your own change.
- Some banks ask you to roll coins or use a coin counter if you have more than a few dollars' worth, so call ahead if you have a large amount.
- A small number of banks no longer accept loose coins, so confirm your bank's policy before you bring change in.
How to deposit change at a bank branch
Walk into your bank during business hours with your change in any container — a bag, jar, envelope, or coin purse. You do not need to sort it by denomination or roll it unless your bank specifically requires it. Hand it to a teller and tell them you want to deposit it to your account.
The teller will count the change in front of you or ask you to count it yourself and write down the total on a deposit slip. If you counted it, they may verify the amount by running it through a coin counter. Once they confirm the total, they will record the deposit in your account, and the money is yours to use immediately — even though it may take one business day to show up in your online banking.
Bring your debit card or account number so the teller knows which account to credit. If you do not have your card, you can provide your name and account number, or the teller can look it up using your ID.
Depositing change through an ATM
Not all ATMs accept coins. Many machines only take paper money and checks. Before you try to use an ATM for change, call your bank or check their website to find out which machines at your branch have coin-acceptance capability — usually only a few do.
If your bank's ATM does accept coins, the process is the same as depositing paper money: insert your card, select deposit, choose your account, and feed the coins into the slot. The machine counts them and confirms the amount on the screen. The deposit posts to your account within one business day.
If your bank does not have coin-accepting ATMs, the branch teller is your only option. Some banks offer coin-counting machines in the lobby that you can use for free, but these machines do not deposit the money directly — they count it and give you a receipt that you then take to a teller to deposit.
What happens if your bank does not accept loose coins
A small number of banks, particularly online-only banks and some credit unions, have stopped accepting loose coins from customers. If your bank is one of them, you have a few options.
You can roll the coins yourself using coin wrappers (available at most banks for free, or at office supply stores for a few dollars). Standard coin rolls hold 50 pennies, 40 nickels, 25 dimes, or 20 quarters. Once rolled, bring them to a teller and deposit them as you would loose change.
You can also take your change to a grocery store, pharmacy, or arcade that has a coin-counting machine. These machines charge a small percentage — usually 8 to 10 percent — but give you paper money or a gift card in return. You can then deposit that cash into your bank account. This option costs money, so it only makes sense if your bank truly will not accept coins and you do not want to roll them yourself.
Fees and limits on coin deposits
Most banks do not charge a fee when you deposit your own coins at a branch. However, some banks charge a small fee — typically 50 cents to a few dollars — if you use their coin-counting machine in the lobby. Ask the teller whether there is a fee before you use the machine.
There is no legal limit on how much change you can deposit at once. However, if you deposit more than $10,000 in cash (coins and paper money combined) in a single day, your bank is required by federal law to file a Currency Transaction Report with the government. This is routine and not a sign of wrongdoing — it is simply how banks track large cash movements. The bank will not freeze your account or deny the deposit because of it.
If you regularly deposit large amounts of change, you may want to split the deposits across different days to stay under $10,000 per day. This is legal and common, though if a bank suspects you are deliberately splitting deposits to avoid the reporting requirement, they can file a report anyway.
Depositing change from a business or cash register
If you are depositing change from a business cash register or till, the process is the same as depositing personal change — bring it to a teller and have it counted and deposited. However, if you are depositing large amounts regularly, ask your bank whether they offer a merchant or business account, which may have different deposit procedures or lower fees for frequent cash deposits.
Some banks provide coin bags or coin wrappers to business customers for free. If you run a business and handle a lot of change, ask your bank what supplies and services they offer to make the process faster.
What to do if a teller refuses your change
If a teller tells you they cannot accept your change, ask to speak to a manager. Most banks accept loose coins from account holders, and a manager can clarify the bank's policy. If the bank genuinely does not accept coins, ask whether they will accept rolled coins or whether you need to use a coin-counting machine first.
If your bank refuses to accept coins under any circumstances, you have the right to find a different bank. Many banks compete for customers partly on service, and accepting deposits is a basic service. Before you switch banks, call ahead to confirm that a new bank will accept coins — do not assume all banks have the same policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to count my change before I deposit it?
No. You can hand loose change to a teller and let them count it, or you can count it yourself and write the total on a deposit slip. If you count it, the teller may verify the amount using a coin counter. Either way works.
How long does it take for deposited change to show up in my account?
Change deposited at a teller usually posts to your account the same day or within one business day. If you deposit it through an ATM, it may take up to one business day. Check your bank's policy, as timing can vary.
Can I deposit change at an ATM if the machine says it does not accept coins?
No. If the ATM screen does not offer a coin deposit option, the machine does not accept coins. Go to a branch teller instead, or call your bank to find out which ATMs at your branch do accept coins.
What if I have rolled coins — do I need to unroll them before depositing?
No. Tellers accept rolled coins as-is and count them without opening the rolls. Rolled coins are actually easier for tellers to handle than loose change, so bringing them pre-rolled is fine.
Will depositing a large amount of change cause problems with my bank?
No, unless you deposit more than $10,000 in a single day, which triggers a routine federal report. That report is normal and does not mean your account will be frozen or investigated. If you want to avoid the report, you can deposit the change across multiple days.