The most direct ways to put cash in your account
You can deposit cash at an ATM, at a bank branch, through a mobile app that accepts cash deposits, or by giving it to someone else who deposits it for you. The method you choose depends on which bank you use, whether you have a nearby branch, and how quickly you need the money to show up in your account.
Most banks offer at least two of these options. Some offer all of them. A few banks with no physical branches only accept cash through partner ATMs or third-party deposit services, so check your bank's website or call before you assume a method will work.
Key Takeaways
- ATM deposits are available 24/7 at most banks, but the cash may not appear in your account until the next business day.
- Deposits at a bank branch teller are usually processed immediately or within hours, and you get a receipt on the spot.
- Mobile app deposits (where available) let you photograph cash and deposit it without leaving home, though limits apply and processing takes time.
- If you give cash to someone else to deposit, make sure you trust them completely and get a receipt or confirmation of the deposit.
- Some banks charge fees for cash deposits above a certain amount, so check your account terms before depositing large sums.
Depositing cash at an ATM
Most ATMs that belong to your bank accept cash deposits. Insert your debit card, enter your PIN, select "Deposit," and follow the prompts. The machine will accept bills and sometimes coins. You do not need to count the money beforehand—the ATM counts it for you and shows the total on the screen before you confirm.
The cash appears in your account within one business day at most banks, though some show it immediately. You will not get a paper receipt from the ATM, but the transaction will show in your online banking history. If the ATM rejects a bill or coin, it will return it to you.
ATM deposits are free at your own bank's machines. If you use an ATM belonging to a different bank, you may be charged a fee by that bank, and your bank may also charge you. Check your account terms or call your bank to confirm which ATMs are free to use.
Depositing cash at a bank branch
Walk into any branch of your bank during business hours with your cash and your debit card or ID. Tell the teller you want to make a cash deposit. They will count the money in front of you, enter it into the system, and give you a receipt showing the amount and the date. The money is usually in your account immediately or within a few hours.
This method is the most reliable if you need the cash to show up quickly or if you want proof of the deposit right away. You can also ask questions about your account while you are there. The downside is that branches have limited hours and you have to travel to one.
Cash deposits at a branch are free. Some banks charge a fee if you deposit more than a certain amount in a single transaction or over a set period—often $10,000 or more per day—but most do not. Your account terms will specify any limits.
Depositing cash through a mobile app
Some banks let you photograph cash using their mobile app and deposit it without going to a branch or ATM. You take a photo of the front and back of each bill, enter the total amount, and submit it through the app. The bank then processes the deposit, usually within one to three business days.
Not all banks offer this feature, and those that do often limit how much you can deposit per transaction and per day—commonly $500 to $5,000 per deposit. Check your bank's app or website to see if this option is available to you. If it is, the app will walk you through the steps.
Mobile app deposits are free. After you submit the photos, you will receive a confirmation number. Do not spend the cash until the bank confirms the deposit has posted to your account, because if the photos are unclear or the bank rejects the deposit for any reason, the money will not appear.
Having someone else deposit cash for you
You can give cash to another person and ask them to deposit it into your account. They can do this at an ATM (if the ATM accepts deposits from anyone, not just cardholders) or at a branch by giving the teller your account number and their ID. Some banks require the person making the deposit to be an authorized user on your account, so call your bank first to confirm.
This method works if you cannot reach a branch or ATM yourself, but it carries risk: the other person has your cash and could spend it or lose it. Only use this option if you trust the person completely. Ask them to get a receipt or take a photo of the confirmation, and follow up to make sure the deposit actually posted to your account.
What happens if your bank does not have branches near you
If you bank with an online-only institution or a bank with no branches in your area, you have fewer options. Some online banks partner with ATM networks like Allpoint or MoneyPass, which means you can deposit cash at thousands of ATMs nationwide. Others accept cash deposits only through third-party services like Green Dot or Walmart, where you can hand over cash and it gets deposited into your account.
Check your bank's website or app to see which deposit methods are available. If your bank does not list any cash deposit option, call customer service to ask what your options are. Some banks will accept cash deposits only through specific partner locations, and those locations may have fees or limits.
Timing and holds on cash deposits
Cash deposits are treated differently from checks. Most banks make cash available immediately or within one business day, regardless of the amount. This is because cash does not need to be verified the way a check does—the bank counts it and it is done.
However, if you deposit a very large amount of cash—typically $10,000 or more—your bank is required by federal law to file a report with the government. This does not mean the money is held or that you have done anything wrong. The deposit will still post to your account normally. The report is routine and does not affect your access to the money.
If you deposit cash and it does not appear in your account within the timeframe the bank promised, contact customer service right away. Bring your receipt or confirmation number. If the deposit was made at an ATM, the bank can check the ATM records to confirm the transaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit cash at any ATM, or only my bank's ATM?
You can only deposit cash at ATMs that belong to your bank or are part of your bank's network. Trying to deposit at a different bank's ATM will not work—the machine will reject your card. Use your bank's ATM locator tool or app to find nearby machines that accept deposits.
What if the ATM rejects my cash or says it cannot accept a deposit?
The ATM may reject bills that are torn, stained, or too worn to read. It may also reject coins if it does not have a coin slot. If this happens, take the rejected cash to a bank branch and deposit it with a teller, who can accept damaged bills and coins that an ATM cannot.
Do I have to report cash deposits to the IRS?
You do not report the deposit itself to the IRS. However, if you deposit $10,000 or more in cash in a single transaction or a series of transactions within a short period, your bank files a Currency Transaction Report with the government. This is automatic and does not create a tax problem unless the cash came from illegal activity.
How long does it take for cash to show up after I deposit it at an ATM?
Most banks post ATM cash deposits within one business day. Some banks show the deposit immediately, but you should not assume this. Check your account the next morning to confirm the deposit posted. If it has not appeared within two business days, contact your bank.
Can I deposit cash if I do not have my debit card with me?
At a bank branch, yes—bring your ID and tell the teller your account number. At an ATM, you typically need your debit card and PIN. Some banks offer cardless ATM access through their app, which lets you generate a one-time code to use instead of your card, but not all banks support this for deposits.