How to Deposit Cash at an Online Bank - NerdWallet (2024)

Key takeaways:

  • To fund your online bank account, you can deposit cash into a separate bank account that has ATMs or branches and then transfer that money to your online bank electronically.

  • You can also buy a money order and make it payable to yourself before making a mobile check deposit into your online bank account. (Alternatively, you could write yourself a standard check from a traditional account and deposit it into your online account.)

  • If your online bank is part of an ATM network, you can deposit cash into your online account via a linked cash machine.

  • You can also consider getting a reloadable prepaid debit card that you can deposit cash onto and link it to your online bank account.

Got cash? Great. Or not so great if you want to deposit it in an online bank account.

Although cash deposits aren't a strong suit for online banks, great rates and lack of fees may more than make up for it. Depositing cash requires a few extra steps, but it's doable. Here are four ways.

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Member FDIC

Chase Total Checking®

How to Deposit Cash at an Online Bank - NerdWallet (4)

APY

N/A

Monthly fee

$12

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Deposits are FDIC Insured

Chime Checking Account

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APY

N/A

Monthly fee

$0

1. Deposit locally, transfer electronically

Online banks should let you link your account electronically to another account at a traditional bank or credit union. If that linked institution has a local branch, make your cash deposit there. Then, create an electronic transfer, also known as an ACH transfer, to move the money to your online bank.

Many institutions allow free ACH transactions, though they can take up to three business days to complete.

2. Buy a money order

Transform your cash into an easy-to-deposit check by buying a money order at a local retailer or a post office, then make it payable to yourself. If your online bank has an electronic scan feature, you can snap a photo and upload the money order to your account for deposit. If your bank doesn’t have this feature, you can mail it to the bank’s headquarters for deposit.

You might have to pay a small fee for the money order — often less than $2 — for a value of up to $1,000. But you would have a safe alternative to cash, which is one of the main reasons to buy a money order. For amounts larger than $1,000, you may have to spring for a cashier’s check at a bank, which usually costs a few dollars more. Remember, you could also write yourself a standard check from a different account and deposit that into your online bank account.

Make the most of your cash

Track all your spending at a glance to understand your trends and spot opportunities to save money.

How to Deposit Cash at an Online Bank - NerdWallet (7)

3. Deposit cash in a linked ATM

Some — but not all — online banks are able to collect deposits through cash-accepting ATMs. Ask your institution if an ATM option is available.

4. Load cash on a reloadable prepaid debit card

To make frequent cash deposits, consider buying a reloadable prepaid debit card and linking it to your online bank account. You can then load cash to the card at certain stores and make an ACH transfer to your online bank.

But there are drawbacks: Many cards charge for deposits at other retailers, and some have extra fees, such as monthly membership charges, that will eat into your balance. Use NerdWallet's guide to compare prepaid debit card options before deciding to get one.

Online banks are optimized for online transactions, so electronic transfers and even mobile check deposits are often a snap. That’s not the case with cash, but there are ways to eventually stash your money into an online account. It may take some effort, but it will be worth it the next time a wad of bills comes your way.

How to Deposit Cash at an Online Bank - NerdWallet (2024)

FAQs

How do I deposit cash into an online bank only? ›

To fund your online bank account, you can deposit cash into a separate bank account that has ATMs or branches and then transfer that money to your online bank electronically. You can also buy a money order and make it payable to yourself before making a mobile check deposit into your online bank account.

What is the best way to deposit cash into your bank account? ›

Use a linked ATM

Once you've found an ATM, take your cash to the ATM, fill out a deposit slip with your account information, and put the money into the deposit envelope. Then use your ATM card to make your deposit. You'll receive a receipt when you deposit cash into an ATM.

What is the one way to deposit money into your bank account? ›

To safeguard your funds, you can deposit them into a bank using various methods. You can deposit cash by physically visiting a local branch of your bank. You can deposit funds into your bank account through ATMs as well. You can deposit funds into an online bank account via wire transfers or money orders.

What is the 10 000 deposit rule? ›

Depositing a big amount of cash that is $10,000 or more means your bank or credit union will report it to the federal government. The $10,000 threshold was created as part of the Bank Secrecy Act, passed by Congress in 1970, and adjusted with the Patriot Act in 2002.

Can I deposit cash at bank without card? ›

You can pay money into your account using a pre-printed paying-in slip if you don't have a debit card. These slips are personalised. If you don't have any, call into a branch and we'll order you some, or give us a call.

How to do a cardless deposit? ›

Create your ATM Deposit Code online (only available for business accounts) Then scan the code and choose Cardless Deposits from the main screen to deposit money at any ATM with instant deposit. You can also print or send the Deposit Code to someone via SMS or email.

What is the easiest way to pay cash into a bank account? ›

To pay in cash at a branch, you'll need to go to a self-service machine or counter. You'll need your debit card and PIN, business deposit card or a pre-printed paying-in slip. *If you don't have any of these when you visit us, talk to us and we'll see how we can help. You can order a deposit card in Online Banking.

What happens when I deposit cash into my bank account? ›

When you deposit money into a bank, the bank doesn't keep all of it in cash reserves. Instead, they lend it to other parties to earn interest and make a profit. Banks can lend money in various ways, such as consumer or business loans, government bonds and credit cards.

What is used for depositing cash into a bank account? ›

Pay-in-slip.

How to deposit money in bank step by step? ›

Simply go to your bank branch and fill out a deposit slip with your account number and the amount you are depositing. Hand the slip and your cash to the representative, who will process the transaction and provide you with a receipt for your records.

What are two methods of depositing money into an account? ›

6 ways to deposit cash into someone else's account
  • Make an electronic transfer.
  • Make a wire transfer.
  • Write a check.
  • Deposit cash at the bank.
  • Use a cashier's check.
  • Use a money order.
Dec 22, 2023

Can someone deposit money directly into my bank account? ›

You don't necessarily need their permission to make the deposit — but you will need their account number for the deposit to be completed. Is there a limit on how much cash I can deposit into someone else's account? The bank may impose a limit and will have to file IRS Form 8300 if the cash deposit exceeds $10,000.

What is the $3000 rule? ›

The regulation requires that multiple purchases during one business day be aggregated and treated as one purchase. Purchases of different types of instruments at the same time are treated as one purchase and the amounts should be aggregated to determine if the total is $3,000 or more.

Is depositing $2000 in cash suspicious? ›

As long as the source of your funds is legitimate and you can provide a clear and reasonable explanation for the cash deposit, there is no legal restriction on depositing any sum, no matter how large. So, there is no need to overly worry about how much cash you can deposit in a bank in one day.

How much cash can you keep at home legally in the US? ›

The government has no regulations on the amount of money you can legally keep in your house or even the amount of money you can legally own overall. Just, the problem with keeping so much money in one place (likely in the form of cash) — it's very vulnerable to being lost.

How can I deposit cash if my bank isn't local? ›

Eh, sort of.
  1. Many modern automated teller machines will take cash deposits.
  2. Some people mail cash to make deposits or loan payments. ...
  3. Many credit unions belong to the Shared Branch Network, which allows members to use the branch facilities of any subscribing credit union.
Jan 9, 2024

How do you get cash from an online only bank? ›

6 Ways to Withdraw Cash From Online Banks
  1. Use Your Debit Card at an ATM. ...
  2. Take Out Cash Back While Shopping. ...
  3. Transfer Money to a Physical Bank. ...
  4. Utilize Wire Transfers. ...
  5. Write a Check. ...
  6. Talk To Your Bank.
Mar 4, 2024

How do I deposit cash into an ATM that's not my bank? ›

Can you deposit cash at an ATM that isn't your bank? Most banks don't allow you to deposit cash at an ATM that's out-of-network. The banks that do accept cash deposits through out-of-network ATMs often charge an extra fee — and, typically, require longer processing periods.

Can you put money in your account online? ›

Online Bank Transfer - Provide your account details (A/C number, IFSC Code) to your employer/business partner or use it to transfer money to yourself from another Bank Account. Digital Wallets - With your account details (A/C number, IFSC Code) you can add money easily into your account using any digital wallet.

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