Yes, you can deposit 10 lakhs in a savings account, but your bank will file a report
You can deposit 10 lakhs (10,00,000 rupees) into your savings account without the bank blocking the money or refusing it. However, any single deposit of 10 lakhs or more triggers a Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) that your bank must file with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). This is not a penalty—it is a legal requirement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The deposit will go through, but the bank will document where the money came from.
The report does not mean you have done anything wrong. Banks file these reports for all large deposits as routine compliance. What matters is that you can explain the source of the money clearly. If the source is legitimate—salary, business income, sale of property, inheritance, loan repayment—you will have no problem. The bank may ask you to provide documents showing where the money came from, and you should be ready to do that.
Key Takeaways
- Deposits of 10 lakhs or more in a single transaction trigger a Suspicious Transaction Report that the bank must file with the FIU, but this does not block your money or mean you are under investigation.
- You will likely need to show the bank proof of where the money came from—bank statements, salary slips, business records, property sale documents, or a loan agreement.
- If you split a 10-lakh deposit into smaller amounts across multiple days to avoid the report, the bank can still flag this as "structuring" and report it anyway.
- The bank may ask questions at the time of deposit or follow up later; answering honestly with documents is the fastest way to clear the matter.
- Different banks have different internal thresholds for asking questions, so some may ask more details than others even for deposits below 10 lakhs.
What documents the bank will ask for
When you deposit 10 lakhs, the bank will ask you to fill out a form stating the source of the funds. You should be prepared to provide documents that match your statement. The exact documents depend on where the money came from.
If the money is salary or bonus, bring recent salary slips and bank statements showing deposits from your employer. If it is business income, bring your business registration documents, recent profit-and-loss statements, and bank statements showing business deposits. If you sold property, bring the sale deed and bank statement showing the sale proceeds. If it is a loan you received, bring the loan agreement and bank statement showing the loan disbursement. If it is an inheritance, bring the will or succession certificate and the bank statement showing the transfer. If it is a gift from family, bring a gift deed and the donor's bank statement showing the transfer.
The bank does not need all of these at once—they will tell you what they need based on what you write on the form. The key is to have something that proves the money came from a legitimate source and that you can produce it within a few days if asked.
When the bank will ask questions
Some banks ask questions at the time of deposit. Others file the report first and then contact you later if something in the transaction looks unusual. If your account is new, if you have never deposited this much before, or if the source does not match your usual account activity, the bank is more likely to ask on the spot.
For example, if you work as a salaried employee and suddenly deposit 10 lakhs in cash with no explanation, the bank will ask questions immediately. If you own a business and regularly deposit large amounts, the bank may ask fewer questions because the pattern is expected. If you have been saving money gradually and now deposit a large amount that matches your savings pattern, the bank will likely accept it with minimal questions.
If the bank does ask, answer the question directly and offer documents. Do not be defensive or evasive—the bank is following the law, not accusing you of anything. Most deposits are cleared within a few days once you provide the source documents.
What happens if you split the deposit into smaller amounts
Some people try to avoid the 10-lakh threshold by depositing 5 lakhs one day and 5 lakhs the next day, or by making multiple smaller deposits over a week. This is called structuring, and banks are trained to detect it. If the bank sees a pattern of deposits that add up to 10 lakhs or more within a short time frame, they will file a report anyway—sometimes a more serious one, because the pattern itself looks suspicious.
Structuring does not prevent the report; it often makes the situation worse because it raises questions about why you are trying to avoid the reporting threshold. If you have 10 lakhs to deposit, deposit it in one transaction and provide the source documents. This is faster and cleaner than trying to work around the system.
How long the process takes
The deposit itself clears immediately—the money goes into your account on the day you deposit it. The bank files the Suspicious Transaction Report within a set time frame (usually within a few days), but you do not see this report or receive a copy. It goes directly to the FIU.
If the bank needs documents from you, they will contact you within a few days of the deposit. You typically have 7 to 10 days to provide what they ask for. Once you provide the documents, the bank reviews them and closes the matter. The entire process usually takes 2 to 3 weeks from deposit to resolution.
If you do not provide documents when asked, the bank may freeze the account or escalate the matter to the FIU. This is rare and usually happens only when someone refuses to cooperate or when the source truly cannot be explained. If you have legitimate documents, providing them quickly prevents any delay.
Deposits from different sources and what to expect
A deposit from your employer's account (salary or bonus) is the easiest to explain. Bring recent salary slips and your employer's letter if needed. The bank usually accepts this with minimal questions.
A deposit from your own business is straightforward if you have business registration and recent financial records. If your business is new or unregistered, the bank may ask more questions and may request GST registration or business license details.
A deposit from the sale of property requires the sale deed and proof that the money came from the buyer. If you sold property through a real estate agent, bring the agent's letter and the bank statement showing the transfer.
A deposit from a family member as a gift requires a gift deed (a simple document stating that the money is a gift with no repayment obligation) and proof that the donor had the money to give. The donor's bank statement or income documents help here.
A deposit from a loan requires the loan agreement and the lender's bank statement showing the disbursement. Personal loans from banks are easiest; loans from individuals require a written agreement.
What not to do when depositing 10 lakhs
Do not deposit the money in cash without being able to explain where the cash came from. If you say "I saved it over time," the bank will ask for proof—old bank statements showing gradual deposits, or a statement from your employer confirming your salary. If you cannot provide this, the bank will flag it.
Do not lie about the source. If the bank asks where the money came from and you give a false answer, and then the bank discovers the truth (which they often do through their own checks), the situation becomes serious. Stick to the truth and provide documents that support it.
Do not ignore the bank if they contact you asking for documents. Respond within the time frame they give you. Ignoring a request can lead to account restrictions or a more serious report to the FIU.
Do not assume that because you have nothing to hide, the bank will not ask questions. Large deposits always trigger questions—that is how the system works. Be prepared with documents from the start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the bank freeze my account after I deposit 10 lakhs?
No, the bank will not freeze your account just because you deposited 10 lakhs. The money goes into your account and you can use it. The bank may ask for source documents, but this does not freeze the account. Freezing only happens if you refuse to provide documents or if the source cannot be explained.
Do I need to inform the bank before I deposit 10 lakhs?
No, you do not need to inform the bank in advance. You can walk in and deposit the money. However, if you are depositing a very large amount in cash (several lakhs), it can help to call ahead so the bank has enough cash on hand. The reporting requirement is automatic and does not require your permission.
What if I deposit 10 lakhs in multiple accounts at different banks?
Each bank will file its own report for deposits of 10 lakhs or more. The FIU can see all reports filed across all banks, so if you deposit 10 lakhs in Bank A and 10 lakhs in Bank B on the same day, both banks will report it and the FIU will see both reports. This does not mean you have done anything wrong, but it does mean the pattern is visible to authorities.
Can I deposit 10 lakhs as a cheque instead of cash?
Yes, and it may be easier. A cheque deposit is easier to trace because it comes from another bank account. The bank can verify the cheque's source quickly. You will still need to explain where the cheque came from, but having a cheque (rather than cash) makes the source clearer and often reduces the number of questions the bank asks.
What if the bank asks for documents I do not have?
Tell the bank what you do have and explain why you do not have the rest. For example, if you received money as a gift from a family member and they do not have a bank account, you cannot show a bank statement. Explain this to the bank and provide what you do have—a written gift deed and any other proof of the relationship. The bank will work with you if your explanation is reasonable and honest.