Yes, you can deposit cash at most ATMs if your bank offers that service
Most banks let you deposit cash directly into your checking account through an ATM, but not all ATMs have this feature. The machine must have a deposit slot — a physical opening where you insert cash or checks. If your bank's ATM has one, you can deposit during any hour the ATM is accessible, and the money typically posts to your account within one business day, sometimes the same day.
The catch: you need to use an ATM owned by your bank or a network your bank belongs to. Using an out-of-network ATM may result in a fee, and some out-of-network machines do not accept deposits at all. Check your bank's website or call customer service to confirm which ATMs near you have deposit capability.
Key Takeaways
- Cash deposits at your bank's ATM usually post within one business day, though some banks credit them the same day.
- Not every ATM has a deposit slot — only machines equipped with one can accept cash or checks.
- Using an out-of-network ATM for a deposit may trigger a fee and the deposit may not be accepted at all.
- You will need your debit card and PIN to access the deposit function on most ATMs.
- If the ATM rejects your cash or the deposit does not appear in your account after two business days, contact your bank immediately.
How the deposit process works at the ATM
Insert your debit card and enter your PIN. Select "Deposit" or "Make a Deposit" from the menu. The machine will ask you to choose the account — select your checking account. The ATM will then open the deposit slot and prompt you to insert your cash or checks.
Count your bills before you insert them, and insert them all at once in the same direction. The machine scans and counts the bills as they go in. Once all cash is inserted, the ATM displays the amount it detected. Review this number carefully — if it is wrong, you can cancel the transaction and retrieve your cash. If the amount is correct, confirm the deposit. The machine prints a receipt showing the deposit amount and your new balance.
Do not leave the ATM until you have your receipt and your card. If the machine keeps your card or your cash, contact your bank's customer service line immediately with the time, location, and transaction details.
Which banks and ATM networks accept cash deposits
Nearly all major banks — Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, US Bank, and others — offer cash deposit at their own ATMs. Credit unions typically allow deposits at their ATMs as well. The limitation is that you must use your own bank's machine or a machine in a network your bank belongs to.
Many banks belong to shared ATM networks that let you use other banks' machines without a fee. The Allpoint network, MoneyPass, and CO-OP are three large networks. If your bank is part of one, you can deposit at any ATM in that network. Check your bank's website under "ATM locator" or call customer service to find which network your bank uses and which machines near you accept deposits.
Some online banks and smaller regional banks do not have physical ATMs with deposit capability. If your bank is one of them, you will need to deposit cash at a branch during business hours or use a partner bank's ATM if your bank has an agreement with one.
What happens to your money after you deposit it
The cash enters a secure vault inside the ATM. Your bank's armored truck service collects the cash from the machine, usually once or twice per day. The bank then processes the deposit and credits your account. For most banks, this takes one business day. Some banks credit same-day deposits if you deposit before a certain time — often 2 p.m. or 5 p.m. — but this varies by bank and by branch.
Your receipt shows the deposit amount immediately, but that is not the same as the money being in your account. The receipt is proof you made the deposit. The actual credit to your balance happens after the bank processes it. You can check your account balance online or by phone to see when the deposit posts.
Fees and limits on ATM deposits
Deposits at your own bank's ATM are free. If you use an out-of-network ATM, your bank may charge you a fee — typically $1 to $3 — and the other bank that owns the machine may charge a fee as well. Some banks waive out-of-network fees for customers with premium accounts, but most do not.
Most banks do not set a limit on how much cash you can deposit at an ATM in a single transaction, but the machine itself may have a physical limit — some machines accept only up to $5,000 or $10,000 per deposit. If you need to deposit more than that, make multiple deposits or visit a branch. There is no daily limit on the total amount you can deposit across multiple ATM transactions, but your bank may flag unusually large deposits for review as part of anti-fraud procedures.
What to do if the ATM rejects your cash or the deposit does not appear
If the machine rejects your bills, it will return them to you. This usually happens because the bills are torn, too old, or the machine's scanner cannot read them. Try inserting them one at a time, or take them to a branch teller instead. If the machine accepts the cash but the deposit does not appear in your account after two business days, contact your bank immediately.
Have your receipt ready when you call. The receipt has a transaction number that the bank can use to track what happened. The bank will investigate whether the cash was actually collected from the machine and credited to your account, or whether it was lost in transit. If the bank confirms the deposit was made but not credited, they will add the money to your account. If the cash was never collected from the machine, the bank will retrieve it from the ATM vault and credit your account.
Do not assume the money will appear on its own. If you do not see it within two business days, call your bank the same day you notice it is missing. The longer you wait, the harder it is to trace the transaction.
Alternatives if your bank's ATM does not have a deposit slot
Visit a branch during business hours and deposit cash with a teller. This is the most straightforward option and takes only a few minutes. Bring your debit card or account number and your cash.
If your bank is part of a shared ATM network, find a partner bank's ATM that has a deposit slot. Use your debit card and PIN just as you would at your own bank's machine. The deposit will post to your account the same way.
Some banks offer mobile deposit for checks but not for cash. If you have a check instead of cash, you can photograph it with your phone and deposit it through the bank's app. This does not work for cash, however.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit cash at an ATM that belongs to a different bank?
Only if your bank belongs to the same ATM network as that machine. Check your bank's website or call to find out which networks you can use. If you use an out-of-network ATM, both your bank and the other bank may charge you a fee, and the deposit may not be accepted.
How long does it take for an ATM deposit to show up in my account?
Most deposits post within one business day. Some banks credit deposits the same day if you deposit before a certain time, usually 2 p.m. or 5 p.m. Check your bank's policy. If the deposit does not appear after two business days, contact your bank.
What if I accidentally deposit cash into the wrong account?
Contact your bank immediately with your receipt and transaction number. The bank can reverse the deposit and credit it to the correct account. Do this as soon as you realize the mistake — the longer you wait, the more complicated the reversal becomes.
Can I deposit a check and cash in the same ATM transaction?
Some ATMs accept both, but most require you to deposit them separately. Insert the cash first, complete that transaction, and then start a new transaction for the check. Check your specific ATM's menu to see what it accepts.
What should I do if the ATM keeps my card?
Contact your bank's customer service line immediately. Have the time, location, and ATM number ready. The bank can retrieve your card from the machine or issue you a replacement. Most banks can have a replacement card to you within three to five business days.