The fastest ways to get money into Chase
You can move money into a Chase account through wire transfer, ACH transfer, mobile deposit, peer-to-peer payment apps, or by walking into a branch with cash or a check. Which one works depends on how fast you need the money, whether you're sending it from another bank or person, and whether you have the account details handy.
Wire transfers arrive the same business day but cost $15 to $20 and cannot be reversed. ACH transfers are free but take three to five business days. Mobile deposit works instantly for checks but only if you have the Chase mobile app. Peer apps like Venmo and PayPal let you receive money from friends in minutes. Cash and checks at a branch are immediate but require you to be there in person.
Key Takeaways
- Wire transfers land in your Chase account the same business day but cost money and cannot be undone once sent.
- ACH transfers from another bank are free and take three to five business days, and you initiate them through your sending bank or through Chase's website.
- Mobile deposit lets you photograph a check with the Chase app and the funds post within one business day, usually faster.
- Peer payment apps like Venmo, PayPal, and Square Cash deposit money to your Chase account in minutes once you link the account.
- Depositing cash or a check in person at a Chase branch posts immediately for cash and the next business day for checks.
Wire transfers: same-day but irreversible
A wire transfer moves money from another bank directly to your Chase account on the same business day. The sending bank initiates the transfer using your Chase routing number (071000013 for most Chase accounts) and your account number. Chase receives it by 2 p.m. Eastern time on a business day and posts it to your account by end of day.
Wire transfers cost $15 to $20 depending on whether the money is coming from inside or outside the United States. Once the sending bank releases the money, Chase cannot recall it or reverse it—even if the receiving account number was wrong. For this reason, confirm your account number and routing number with the sender before they initiate the wire. If you receive a wire to the wrong account, you will have to contact that account holder directly to ask them to send it back.
To receive a wire, give the sender your full name as it appears on your Chase account, your account number, and Chase's routing number. If the wire is coming from outside the US, you may also need to provide your bank's SWIFT code (CHASUS33 for most Chase locations). Ask the sender's bank what information they need—different banks have different requirements.
ACH transfers: free but slower
ACH (Automated Clearing House) transfers move money between banks through the Federal Reserve's network. They are free and take three to five business days. You can initiate an ACH transfer from your sending bank's website or app, or you can ask the sender to push money to your account if they have your routing and account number.
To receive an ACH transfer, provide the sender with your Chase routing number (071000013) and your account number. The sender's bank will submit the transfer, and it will land in your Chase account within three to five business days. Weekends and federal holidays do not count as business days, so a transfer initiated on Friday may not arrive until Wednesday.
ACH transfers can be disputed and reversed within a limited window if there is an error or fraud, unlike wire transfers. If you receive an ACH transfer by mistake, contact Chase and they can often reverse it if the receiving account still has the funds. This makes ACH safer for large transfers between people who do not know each other well.
Mobile deposit: photograph a check instantly
If someone sends you a check, you can deposit it without going to a branch. Open the Chase mobile app, tap "Deposit a Check," photograph the front and back of the check, and submit it. Chase will hold the funds for one business day and then make them available. For most customers, the money posts within 24 hours.
Mobile deposit works only for checks drawn on US banks and only if the check is made out to you and has not already been deposited elsewhere. The check amount must be under $10,000 (some accounts have lower limits). After you submit the deposit through the app, do not spend the check or deposit it again—write "deposited" on the back and keep it for 30 days in case Chase needs to verify it.
If the check is large or you want the money immediately, go to a Chase branch in person and hand the check to a teller. It will post the same day. Mobile deposit is most useful when you receive checks outside of branch hours or do not have a branch nearby.
Peer payment apps: money from friends in minutes
Apps like Venmo, PayPal, Square Cash, and Zelle let friends and family send you money directly to your phone number or email. Once you link your Chase account to the app, incoming transfers land in your Chase account within minutes to a few hours, depending on the app and the time of day.
To receive money through a peer app, download the app, create an account, and link your Chase account by entering your routing number and account number. Give the sender your username or the phone number or email associated with your account. They send the money through the app, and it appears in your Chase account shortly after. Most peer apps do not charge a fee for standard transfers, though some charge extra for instant transfers.
Peer apps are useful for splitting rent, reimbursing friends, or receiving money from family. They are not suitable for large business payments or formal transactions, because the apps are designed for casual transfers and offer less fraud protection than banks do.
In-person deposit at a Chase branch
Walk into any Chase branch with cash or a check and hand it to a teller. Cash deposits post immediately. Check deposits post the next business day. You do not need to have an appointment, though branches can have wait times during busy hours.
Bring your Chase debit card or account number so the teller knows which account to deposit into. If you are depositing a check, make sure it is made out to you and signed by the person who wrote it. The teller will give you a receipt showing the deposit amount and the date it will be available.
In-person deposit is the only option if you have a large amount of cash or if you need the money posted the same day. It is also the safest way to deposit a very large check, because the teller can verify it on the spot and answer questions about holds or limits.
Holds and limits on deposits
Chase may place a hold on a deposit if the amount is large, if you are a new customer, or if the check or transfer looks unusual. A hold means the money is in your account but you cannot withdraw it yet. Holds typically last one to five business days, depending on the deposit type and the reason for the hold.
Cash deposits have no hold. Mobile deposits and in-person check deposits usually clear within one business day. Wire transfers and ACH transfers have no hold once they post. If Chase places a hold on a deposit, you will see a note in your account showing when the hold will lift.
Chase does not publish a daily deposit limit, but the bank may flag unusually large deposits or frequent deposits that look like structured deposits (many small deposits to avoid reporting thresholds). If your deposit is refused or flagged, contact Chase directly to ask why and what you can do.
What to do if a transfer does not arrive
If you are expecting a wire transfer and it has not arrived by end of business on the day it was sent, contact the sending bank first—they can confirm whether they released it and provide a tracking number. Give Chase the tracking number and ask them to locate it. Wire transfers can take longer if they are coming from outside the US or if there is a routing error.
If you are expecting an ACH transfer and it has not arrived within five business days, contact the sending bank and ask them to check the status. Provide them with your routing number and account number so they can verify the transfer was sent to the right place. If the sending bank confirms they sent it but Chase says it never arrived, contact Chase and file a claim.
If you deposited a check through mobile and it has not posted within two business days, contact Chase. If you deposited a check in person and the teller said it would post the next day but it has not, contact Chase the day after the promised posting date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is my Chase routing number?
The routing number for most Chase accounts is 071000013. Some older accounts or accounts opened at regional Chase branches may have a different routing number. Log into your Chase account online or call the number on the back of your debit card to confirm your routing number before giving it to someone sending you money.
Can I receive money through Zelle if I have a Chase account?
Yes. Zelle is integrated into the Chase mobile app and website. To receive money through Zelle, open the app, tap "Send or Request Money," select Zelle, and provide your phone number or email to the sender. The money will arrive in your Chase account within minutes.
How long does a wire transfer take if it is coming from outside the US?
International wire transfers typically take one to three business days, depending on the sending country and the sending bank's processing time. The receiving bank (Chase) usually posts the money the same day it arrives, but delays can happen if the wire lacks required information or if there is a currency conversion involved.
What happens if I deposit a check that bounces?
If a check bounces, Chase will reverse the deposit and remove the funds from your account. You will be notified by email or through your account. If you have already spent the money, your account will go negative and you may owe Chase an overdraft fee. Contact the person who wrote the check and ask them to send you a new one or wire the money instead.
Can I receive money if my Chase account is closed?
No. If your account is closed, incoming transfers and deposits will be rejected. If someone tries to send you money to a closed account, the money will be returned to the sender. Open a new Chase account before asking someone to send you money.