The main ways to deposit money into your bank account
You can deposit money into your bank account through an ATM, at a branch, by mail, or through a mobile app—depending on what your bank offers and what you're depositing. ATMs are the fastest if you have a debit card and cash or checks. Branches work for cash, checks, and money orders, and a teller can answer questions on the spot. Mobile apps let you photograph checks from home. Mail is slowest but works if you're far from a branch.
The method you choose depends on what you're depositing (cash or a check), how quickly you need the money to show up in your account, and whether you have access to an ATM or branch. Some banks charge fees for certain deposits or limit how much you can deposit at once, so check your account terms or call your bank if you're unsure.
Key Takeaways
- ATM deposits of cash or checks are available 24/7 at most banks, but some ATMs have daily limits on how much you can deposit.
- Branch deposits let you hand cash or checks directly to a teller, and the money usually shows up the same day or next business day.
- Mobile check deposit lets you photograph a check with your phone and send it to your bank without visiting a branch or ATM.
- Mailed deposits take 5 to 10 business days to clear, so use this method only when you cannot deposit in person.
- Some banks charge fees for deposits over a certain amount or for using an out-of-network ATM, so review your account agreement.
Depositing cash or checks at an ATM
Most ATMs accept both cash and checks. Insert your debit card, enter your PIN, select "Deposit," and follow the on-screen prompts. For cash, the ATM will count it and confirm the amount before accepting it. For checks, the ATM will scan the front and back, so make sure the check is clean and legible. The ATM will show you the deposit amount and ask you to confirm before the transaction completes.
Cash deposits usually show up in your account within minutes or a few hours. Checks typically take one to two business days to clear, though some banks offer next-day clearing for checks deposited before a certain time (often 9 p.m.). Check your bank's website or app to see the cutoff time and expected clearing date.
ATMs have daily deposit limits—often $5,000 to $10,000 for cash and $10,000 to $25,000 for checks, though this varies by bank. If you need to deposit more, use a branch or split the deposit across multiple days. Also, only use ATMs owned by your bank or a network your bank belongs to; using an out-of-network ATM may result in a fee and slower processing.
Depositing at a bank branch in person
Walk into any branch of your bank during business hours with your debit card, cash, or checks. Tell the teller you want to make a deposit. They will ask for your account number (on your debit card or account statement) and count or scan what you're depositing. You'll receive a receipt showing the deposit amount and the new account balance.
Cash deposits at a branch show up immediately—you can check your balance on your phone right after you leave. Checks deposited before the bank's cutoff time (usually 2 p.m. on weekdays) clear by the next business day. Weekend and holiday deposits are processed on the next business day.
Branches have no deposit limits, so this is the best option if you're depositing a large amount of cash or many checks at once. If you don't have a debit card or account statement with you, bring a government-issued ID so the teller can look up your account.
Depositing checks by phone or mobile app
Most banks offer mobile check deposit through their app. Open the app, select "Deposit Check," photograph the front and back of the check, enter the check amount, and confirm. The app will show you the expected deposit date—usually one to two business days. You'll receive a confirmation number and can delete the photo from your phone once the bank confirms receipt.
Mobile deposit is convenient because you can do it from home or anywhere with cell service, and you don't have to visit an ATM or branch. However, there are usually limits on how much you can deposit per check ($5,000 is common) and per day ($10,000 to $25,000 depending on the bank). Check your app or call your bank to confirm these limits.
After you deposit a check by phone or app, write "Mobile Deposit" on the back of the physical check and keep it for 30 days in case the bank needs to verify it. Do not deposit the same check twice—once the bank processes it, depositing it again is check fraud.
Mailing a check or money order to your bank
If you cannot deposit in person or by phone, you can mail a check or money order to your bank. Write your account number on the back of the check or money order. Include a deposit slip (available from your bank's website or by calling the branch) or a note with your name, account number, and the deposit amount. Mail it to the address on your bank's website or the back of your debit card.
Mailed deposits take 5 to 10 business days to clear, depending on where your bank is located and mail delivery times. Do not mail cash—it can be lost or stolen. If you must send cash, use a money order instead, which is safer and can be replaced if lost.
Keep a copy of the check or money order and the deposit slip for your records. If the deposit does not show up in your account after 10 business days, call your bank with the check number and amount so they can trace it.
What happens after you deposit money
Cash deposits show up in your account immediately at a branch or within hours at an ATM. Checks take longer because the bank must verify the check is real and that the account it's drawn from has enough money. This process is called clearing, and it typically takes one to two business days for checks deposited at a branch or ATM, and one to three business days for checks deposited by mail or mobile app.
During the clearing period, the money is in your account but marked as "pending" or "uncleaned." You can usually spend it right away, but if the check bounces (the account it's drawn from has insufficient funds), the bank will reverse the deposit and charge you a fee. This is rare with personal checks from people you know, but more common with checks from strangers or businesses.
If a check you deposited bounces, the bank will notify you and deduct the amount from your account. You can then contact the person or business that wrote the check and ask them to write a new one or pay you another way. If they refuse, you may need to pursue the debt through small claims court.
Deposit fees and limits to know about
Most banks do not charge fees for deposits made at your own bank's ATM or branch. However, some banks charge fees for deposits at out-of-network ATMs or for deposits over a certain amount. Check your account agreement or call your bank to confirm whether you'll be charged.
Daily and per-check deposit limits vary by bank and account type. Business accounts often have higher limits than personal accounts. If you regularly deposit large amounts, ask your bank whether they offer a higher-tier account or a business account with higher limits. Some banks also limit the number of checks you can deposit per day (often 10 to 25), so if you have many checks, split them across multiple days or visit a branch.
If your bank is part of a network like Allpoint or MoneyPass, you may be able to deposit at ATMs owned by other banks in that network without a fee. Check your bank's website to see which networks it belongs to and where you can deposit for free.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a deposited check to clear?
Checks deposited at a branch or ATM before the bank's cutoff time (usually 2 p.m. on weekdays) clear by the next business day. Checks deposited by mail or mobile app take one to three business days. Weekends and holidays do not count as business days, so a check deposited on Friday may not clear until Tuesday.
Can I deposit a check that's made out to someone else?
No, you cannot deposit a check made out to another person into your own account. The person whose name is on the check must deposit it themselves or sign the back and write "Pay to the order of [your name]" so you can deposit it. This is called a third-party check, and many banks no longer accept them due to fraud risk.
What should I do if my ATM deposit is not showing up in my account?
Wait at least 24 hours for the deposit to process. If it still has not appeared, call your bank with the date, time, and amount of the deposit. The bank can check the ATM's records to confirm whether the deposit was received. If the ATM malfunctioned, the bank will credit your account.
Can I deposit cash at an ATM that belongs to a different bank?
Most out-of-network ATMs do not accept cash deposits—they only dispense cash. Check the ATM screen before you insert cash; it will tell you whether deposits are accepted. If the ATM does not accept deposits, use an ATM owned by your bank or visit a branch instead.
Is there a limit to how much cash I can deposit without reporting it to the government?
Banks report all cash deposits of $10,000 or more to the federal government through a Currency Transaction Report (CTR). This is not a penalty or a sign of wrongdoing—it is standard procedure. If you deposit less than $10,000, no report is filed. If you deposit exactly $10,000 or more, the bank will file the report automatically.