The most direct way to deposit cash is to walk into your bank branch with the money and a deposit slip
You hand the teller your cash and a deposit slip — a form with your account number printed on it. The teller counts the money, records it, and the funds appear in your account immediately or within one business day. This works at any branch of your bank, and you do not need an appointment.
If your bank is closed when you want to deposit, use the ATM deposit envelope in the vestibule. Slide your cash and a deposit slip into the envelope, seal it, and insert it into the ATM slot marked for deposits. The bank processes it the next business day. Some ATMs read cash directly without an envelope — your bank's website or a call to customer service will tell you which type your ATM uses.
A third option is to ask someone you trust to deposit cash on your behalf. Give them the cash and a signed deposit slip with your account number. They can deposit it at any branch of your bank. You do not need to be present.
Key Takeaways
- In-branch deposits at a teller are processed the same day or next business day and work during business hours.
- ATM deposits in the vestibule are available 24/7 but are processed the next business day.
- You need a deposit slip with your account number — get blanks from your bank or print one from your online banking portal.
- Mobile deposit (photographing checks) does not work for cash, so you must use a branch, ATM, or authorized person.
- Large cash deposits over $10,000 trigger a federal report, but this is routine and not a problem if the money is legitimate.
Where to find a deposit slip
Deposit slips come in a pad with your account number pre-printed on them. If you still have the pad that came with your account, use one of those. If you have run out, visit any branch of your bank and ask for more — they are free and take 30 seconds.
You can also print a deposit slip from your online banking portal. Log in, look for "deposit slips" or "forms," and download the PDF. Print it and fill in the amount. Some banks let you write the amount by hand on a blank slip at the ATM or branch.
If you do not have internet access or cannot get to a branch, call your bank's customer service line. They can mail you a pad of deposit slips, though this takes five to ten business days. For an urgent deposit, go to any branch in person — you do not need to be a customer of that specific location.
What happens to your money after you deposit it
At a teller window, the money is yours to use the same day in most cases. At an ATM, the bank credits your account the next business day. Either way, the funds are insured by the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) up to $250,000 per account, so your money is protected if the bank fails.
If you deposit cash late in the day — after the bank's cut-off time, usually 2 or 3 p.m. — it may not post until the next business day. Weekends and federal holidays do not count as business days, so a Friday evening deposit will not clear until Monday.
Once the deposit posts, you can withdraw it, transfer it, or pay bills from that account. There is no hold on cash deposits the way there can be on checks.
Large cash deposits and federal reporting
If you deposit more than $10,000 in cash in a single transaction or in multiple transactions that add up to $10,000 within a short period, your bank files a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) with the federal government. This is automatic and routine — it does not mean you are under investigation or that anything is wrong.
The bank is required by law to file this report. You do not have to do anything. The report simply records that a large cash deposit happened. If the money comes from a legitimate source — your job, a sale, an inheritance, a loan from a friend — there is no problem at all.
Do not try to avoid this by splitting a large deposit into smaller ones over time. That practice, called structuring, is illegal even if the money itself is legal. If you have a legitimate reason to deposit a large amount of cash, deposit it all at once and let the bank file the report.
Depositing cash when you do not have a deposit slip
If you are at an ATM and do not have a deposit slip, some ATMs will accept cash without one — they read the bills directly and credit your account. Check your bank's website or call to confirm your ATM has this feature.
If your ATM requires a slip and you do not have one, you can write your account number on a blank piece of paper and include it with the cash in the envelope. The bank will process it, though it may take an extra day because staff have to match the deposit to your account manually.
The safest route is to go inside the branch during business hours. A teller can deposit cash without a slip if you provide your account number or ID. This takes five minutes and guarantees the money goes to the right place.
Depositing cash from someone else's account
If someone wants to put cash into your account, they can do it themselves at your bank's branch or ATM — they just need your account number and a deposit slip with that number on it. They do not need your permission or your ID.
Alternatively, you can give them cash and they deposit it into their own account, then transfer the money to you electronically. This is common between family members or friends.
If you are depositing cash into someone else's account, bring a deposit slip with their account number. If you do not have one, ask the teller for a blank slip and write the account number yourself. The teller will process it the same way.
What to do if your cash deposit does not show up
If you deposited cash at a branch and it has not appeared after one business day, call your bank's customer service line. Have your account number and the date and time of the deposit ready. The teller who processed it can confirm the amount and when it was recorded.
If you used an ATM, check your account online or by phone first — the deposit may have posted but not shown up in your app yet. If it has been more than two business days and the money is not there, call the bank. ATM deposits are tracked by machine, so the bank can pull the record and see exactly what was deposited and when.
If the bank finds that cash went missing, they will investigate. In rare cases, the ATM malfunctioned or the envelope was lost. The bank will credit your account once they confirm the deposit was made.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit cash at a bank branch that is not my bank?
No. You can only deposit cash at a branch of the bank where you have your account. If you bank with Chase, you must go to a Chase branch. Some credit unions have shared branching networks that let members use other credit union branches, so check with your credit union first.
Do I need to tell the bank where the cash came from?
No. The bank does not ask questions about the source of cash deposits under $10,000. For deposits over $10,000, the bank files a report but does not ask you to explain. If the money is from your paycheck, a sale, or any other legitimate source, you have nothing to worry about.
How long does it take for cash deposited at an ATM to show up?
Usually one business day. If you deposit on a Friday after hours, it will not post until Monday. Deposits made on a weekend or holiday are processed the next business day after that.
What if I deposit cash but do not have a bank account yet?
You cannot deposit cash into an account you do not have. You will need to open an account first. Visit a branch with your ID and a small amount of money to open the account, then you can deposit cash into it.
Is there a limit to how much cash I can deposit?
No legal limit exists for how much cash you can deposit. Your bank may have internal limits on ATM deposits (often $1,000 to $5,000 per transaction), but you can deposit any amount at a teller window. Deposits over $10,000 trigger a federal report, but that is routine and not a restriction.