Can You Deposit Cash at an ATM?
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Allison Hache
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Elizabeth Constantineau
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If you can’t make it to a local branch during regular business hours, using an ATM is a convenient alternative. You may be wondering, “Can you deposit cash at an ATM?” The answer is yes, but you have to find an ATM that accepts cash deposits. For the many ATMs offering this feature, you have a flexible solution to manage your finances outside of traditional bank hours. Not only can this save you time, but it also ensures your money is safely deposited without delay.
Read on to learn how you can utilize ATM services to make your banking experience smoother and more convenient.
Can You Deposit Cash at an ATM?
Many ATMs give you the option to deposit cash, but you may need to be a customer at the bank. For example, U.S. Bank and Chase accept cash and check deposits from customers at most of their branded ATMs. Online banks may ask you to visit a physical location to make a cash deposit. Discover, Member FDIC, accepts cash deposits at Walmart stores. Axios accepts cash deposits through Green Dot retailers.
Your financial institution’s rules for deposits are just one factor to consider. Not all ATMs accept cash deposits, so you’ll need to find one that does and works with your bank. For example, small ATMs in convenience stores typically don’t accept cash deposits, nor do some small banks and credit unions. Contact your financial institution to find out whether you can make cash deposits, and if so, where.
How To Deposit Cash at an ATM
To deposit cash at an ATM, follow the following steps:
- Count your cash: Be sure you know how much money you’re depositing. That way, if there’s an error, you can contact the bank and have your balance adjusted.
- Go to the ATM and access your account: Go to your local ATM and access it as you would if you were making a withdrawal.
- Click deposit: Click the deposit button to start the transaction.
- Insert your deposit: Insert your cash into the ATM. The ATM will typically count the cash and confirm the total with you.
- Complete the transaction: Confirm the total to complete the transaction.
How To Deposit Cash With an Online Bank
If you want to deposit cash in an online checking or savings account, confirm with your bank where you can make the deposit. Some online banks do not accept cash deposits directly, while others partner with ATM networks or retailers to let you deposit cash. If your bank will let you deposit cash at a participating ATM, visit your bank’s website or mobile app to locate an ATM. Then follow the steps above.
To make a cash deposit through a retailer, you will need to locate a participating retailer — typically, stores like Walmart, Kroger, CVS, Dollar General and 7-Eleven. When you visit the retailer, give the cash to the cashier and follow directions in your bank’s app to accept the cash and move the funds to your account. You may pay a fee for this service, depending on the bank and retailer.
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Where To Find ATMs That Allow Cash Deposits
Finding an ATM that accepts cash deposits is simple if you know your bank accepts cash deposits at branded ATMs. In that case, you can visit your bank’s website or open its mobile app to locate ATMs in the network. You may need to enter your location or allow the app to access your device’s location settings to find the ATMs nearest to you.
If you use an online bank, you may need to research your options for making a cash deposit. If your bank partners with an ATM network that accepts cash deposits, use the network’s ATM locator tool. For example, Allpoint+ ATMs take cash deposits. If your bank is in the Allpoint+ network, you can use the “Where is Allpoint” feature on the website to find an ATM nearby.
Can You Deposit a Check at an ATM?
Yes, you can deposit a check at some ATMs. Like with a cash deposit, the easiest way to deposit a check is to use an ATM owned by your bank. If you use an online bank or are not near a bank-owned ATM, look for a machine within your bank’s ATM network.
To deposit a check at an ATM, insert your debit card to start the transaction. Follow the instructions on the screen, which should prompt you to indicate the type of deposit and when to feed the endorsed check into the ATM. Confirm the check amount and ask for a receipt so you have proof of the transaction.
Can You Deposit Cash at an ATM That Isn’t Your Bank’s?
In most cases, you cannot deposit cash at an ATM that isn’t associated with your bank. For example, Capital One customers can only deposit cash at Capital One-branded ATMs.
Contact your bank to find out whether you can use ATMs from other banks to deposit cash into your account. If so, ask about the fees you might incur and how long you’ll have to wait to use your money.
How Much Cash Can You Deposit at an ATM?
How much cash you can deposit at an ATM depends on your bank’s deposit policy. Some banks limit the amount you can deposit each day, and others have a limit on the amount you can deposit per transaction. For example, USAA accepts up to 30 bills per ATM deposit. If you need to deposit more than 30 bills, you may need to do so in separate transactions. Contact your bank to find out whether you have a daily ATM deposit limit or a bill-per-transaction limit so you’re not surprised when you get to the ATM.
If You Deposit Cash Into an ATM, When Can You Spend It?
Some banks process ATM cash deposits faster than others. Some banks allow you to use the cash you deposit into their ATMs on the same day for purchases or transfers to other accounts like a savings or CD account. Others make funds available the next business day or later. Whether there’s a delay may depend on when you make your deposit.
For example, if you bank with Wells Fargo and make your ATM cash deposit before 9 p.m., you should be able to use the money the day you deposit it. If you make your deposit after 9 p.m., however, you’ll need to wait until the following day to use the money.
Final Take
If having access to ATMs for deposits and withdrawals is important to you, be sure to ask about ATM access and deposit policies when you open a bank account. Most large financial institutions make it easy to deposit cash at either their own branded ATMs or ATMs within their network. You also may be able to deposit cash if you have an account at a regional or online bank, but be prepared to do some research to find a partner ATM that’s able to receive cash.
FAQ
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about ATM cash deposits.- How much cash can I deposit at Chase ATMs?
- Chase doesn't limit the amount of money you can deposit at an ATM on any given day, but there may be a limit on the number of bills you can deposit. If you need to deposit more than the bill limit, you can do so by making multiple ATM deposits.
- Can you deposit cash at Wells Fargo ATMs?
- Yes, you can deposit cash at Wells Fargo ATMs if you have a Wells Fargo account. Wells Fargo doesn't impose any daily or per-transaction ATM deposit limits. However, you can't deposit money into your Wells Fargo account with any other ATM.
- Can I deposit money if the bank is closed?
- Yes. In most cases, you can deposit money if your bank is closed. That is, if your bank accepts one of these two types of deposits:
- ATM deposits. Most ATMs are operational 24 hours per day. So, if your bank accepts ATM deposits, you can make an ATM deposit regardless of whether the bank is closed.
- Mobile deposits. Some banks allow you to deposit checks and money orders through their mobile apps, although this isn't an option if you're depositing cash.
- Yes. In most cases, you can deposit money if your bank is closed. That is, if your bank accepts one of these two types of deposits:
- Can you deposit cash at an ATM with a debit card?
- It depends. Some ATMs don't accept deposits, while others require you to be a bank member to make a deposit.
- Is a cash deposit at an ATM instantaneous?
- Many banks will accept your cash deposit and post it to your account immediately. However, some delay processing if you deposit outside of normal business hours, such as late evenings or weekends. Check your bank's cash deposit rules to determine whether your cash will post instantaneously.
- Can I deposit $2,000 cash in an ATM?
- It depends on whether the ATM accepts cash deposits and is within your network. Also, some ATMs can take only a specific number of bills, so you may need to make multiple deposits if you have $2,000 in cash.
Virginia Anderson, Joshua Rodriguez and Sarah Sharkey contributed to the reporting for this article.
Information is accurate as of June 25, 2024.
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