You don’t need to visit a branch bank teller to get your money where it needs to go. If you deposit cash and checks into an ATM, you can skip the hassle of working around bank business hours.
Here’s our easy guide to using an ATM to get your money into your bank account.
Here’s how to deposit cash in an ATM
1. Confirm whether you can deposit money into a particular ATM. While many bank ATMs allow withdrawals from noncustomers (often for a fee), you’ll typically need to use your own bank’s ATM system to make deposits. Your bank likely has a map of eligible nearby ATMs on its website. Some local and regional banks and credit unions belong to shared nationwide ATM networks such as Allpoint or MoneyPass, while others might give ATM fee reimbursem*nts.
See the best banks for ATMs
Check out banks that don't charge ATM fees and even reimburse third-party ATM fees.
2. If you have checks to deposit, prep them by signing the back. You don’t want to hold up the line at the ATM by digging for a pen to endorse your check. If checks are the only thing you’re depositing, see if your bank offers free mobile check deposit, which lets you use your smartphone to deposit checks from anywhere, so you won’t need to queue up at a machine.
3. Insert or tap your debit or ATM card at the card reader and enter your PIN. This security step acts like a password for accessing your funds.
4. Select which account you want to deposit your cash or checks into. If you have multiple checking and/or savings accounts, the ATM will ask where you would like your cash to go.
5. If the ATM doesn’t require an envelope, stack your bills and/or checks together and insert them. Most modern ATMs from major banks have scanning technology that can differentiate between bills and checks and can detect the total amount of money you’re depositing. Many major banks allow you to insert dozens of bills and checks at a time; there’s no need to feed them in individually or fill out a deposit slip.The ATM will tell you when to insert the stack of bills and checks you want to deposit into the appropriate slot.
6. If the ATM does use envelopes, put your bills and/or checks inside and insert the envelope. You’ll be hard-pressed to find an ATM that uses envelopes for deposits these days, but if you do, you’ll have to put the bills and/or checks inside, seal the envelope, write the total on the envelope and manually enter the amount you’re depositing into the ATM. It may take a couple of business days for your funds to become available since the deposit amount must be confirmed by the bank.
7. Verify your deposit at the machine. The last step before you finish up at the ATM is to make sure it registered the correct deposit amount into the right account. The ATM will display a message asking if the total amount you deposited is accurate; you must OK it before the funds are processed into your account. If the amount is inaccurate, cancel the deposit and try again, or contact your bank if the problem persists. Should you find that the ATM deposit amount was incorrect, contact your bank as soon as possible.
8. Wait for your deposit to clear. Instantaneous access to your cash is becoming the norm, but if your bank has a waiting period, keep an eye on your accounts over the next few days to make sure the full deposit lands.
How to deposit money with an online bank
If you want to deposit cash in an online-only bank account, you may have some extra hoops to jump through. Many online banks participate in shared ATM networks, which allow customers to deposit cash without surcharges. Other options may be to deposit cash in a traditional bank account, if you have one, then electronically transfer it into your online-only bank account, or buy a money order and deposit it with your online bank mobile app.
While it may take a few more steps to deposit money into an online bank account, depositing cash or checks at an ATM is a convenient way to get your money into a traditional bank account.
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FAQs
Look to see whether the ATM accepts deposits, stack your bills and checks, follow the prompts to insert, then verify your total. Chanelle Bessette is a personal finance writer at NerdWallet covering banking.
Can I deposit a check at an ATM and get cash? ›
Yes, you can cash your check at an ATM, as long as it's part of your bank's network. You may be able to deposit the check and withdraw the same amount, though you'll want to double check your bank's policies, including daily withdrawal limits.
How do I deposit cash at an ATM? ›
You just need a debit card and the money to deposit.
- Access your account(s). Insert your debit card and enter your PIN. ...
- Choose an account and an action. ...
- Enter the bills based on the bank's instructions. ...
- Confirm the total deposit. ...
- Get a transaction receipt.
Possible reasons could be improperly following prompts on the screen, inserting the cash incorrectly, or attempting to deposit some money with an out-of-network ATM.
What is the largest check you can deposit in ATM? ›
While you can deposit checks over $10,000 at any bank or ATM, cashing this requires the bank to report it to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), a rule for all cash transactions over $10,000. If you need a substantial check, you may also want to consider cashier's checks that the bank guarantees.
What app will cash a check immediately? ›
The top instant check cashing apps without verification include Ingo Money, Brink's Money, PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, Chime, and Flare Account. These apps allow you to quickly cash checks by taking photos with your phone for deposit into bank accounts or prepaid cards.
What is the fastest way to deposit a check? ›
Depositing a check at a bank or credit union branch is often the quickest way to have access to those funds.
How much cash can you deposit in ATM without being flagged? ›
When Does a Bank Have to Report Your Deposit? Banks report individuals who deposit $10,000 or more in cash. The IRS typically shares suspicious deposit or withdrawal activity with local and state authorities, Castaneda says.
Is cash deposited in ATM available immediately? ›
With in-network ATMs, deposits are usually available immediately, within the same day or on the next business day. Deposits made at out-of-network ATMs can take three business days. If the money isn't there or it's an incorrect amount, call the ATM company for guidance.
How can I deposit cash in my account through ATM? ›
How To Deposit Cash at an ATM
- Check your bank's website or app ahead of time to find an ATM that allows deposits. ...
- At the ATM, insert your debit or ATM card and enter your PIN. ...
- Select the option for making a deposit.
- Choose the account that will receive the deposit.
- Insert bills and checks. ...
- Confirm the deposit amount.
The item is inserted incorrectly or is somehow jammed in the intake mechanism. The cardholder doesn't bank with the bank owning the ATM or with another bank for which deposits are accepted in interchange by the ATM owning bank. The deposit amount exceeds a deposit amount maximum.
Why does ATM reject my check deposit? ›
The main reason banks refuse to cash checks is due to insufficient funds, but checks can be rejected for other reasons, too, including unreadable or invalid account and routing numbers, improper formatting, a missing or invalid signature, or the elapse of too much time since the printed date.
Is it bad to deposit cash into ATM? ›
In most cases, your deposits should be successful and error-free. But consider the consequences of an error. Especially when you're making a large, important deposit—or if you're in danger of bouncing checks—an ATM might not be your best choice. From time to time, there will be errors.
How to justify cash deposits? ›
Here are some examples of how to explain a cash deposit:
- Pay stubs or invoices.
- Report of sale.
- Copy of marriage license.
- Signed and dated copy of note for any loan you provided and proof you lent the money.
- Gift letter signed and dated by the donor and receiver.
- Letter of explanation from a licensed attorney.
If you deposit a check at an ATM instead of inside a bank or credit union, your bank or credit union has more time under the law to make the funds available. If you deposit a check into an ATM not owned by your bank or credit union, it is allowed to take even longer.
Can I deposit a $10,000 check at ATM? ›
You can deposit a check of any amount in an ATM.
How can I cash a check at an ATM without an account? ›
Consider a Prepaid Debit Card
With this option, you can get a debit card that enables you to deposit your check directly – likely by mobile check deposit – onto the card without needing to open an account with a bank. Then you should be able to get cash from an ATM by using the card.
How to deposit a check without going to the bank? ›
Banking 101: How to Cash a Check Without Going to the Bank
- Use mobile check deposit.
- Load it onto a prepaid card.
- Endorse the check to a friend.
- Cash your check at a retailer, but beware of fees.
- Go to a check-cashing store as a last resort.
Can you deposit cash at an ATM that isn't your bank? Most banks don't allow you to deposit cash at an ATM that's out-of-network. The banks that do accept cash deposits through out-of-network ATMs often charge an extra fee — and, typically, require longer processing periods.
