How to Deposit Money Into Your Bank Account

The main ways to put money into your account

You can deposit money at an ATM, through your bank's mobile app, at a branch in person, by mail, or through an electronic transfer from another account. Which method works best depends on what kind of money you're depositing, how quickly you need it to show up, and whether you have easy access to your bank's locations or technology.

Most deposits show up in your account within one business day, though some methods are faster than others. ATM deposits and mobile app deposits usually post by the next morning. In-person deposits at a teller window typically post the same day. Mailed checks can take five to seven business days.

Key Takeaways

• ATM deposits are available 24/7 and usually post by the next business day, but your bank must have ATMs in your network.
• Mobile app deposits let you photograph a check from home, but only work for checks and require a smartphone with a camera.
• In-person deposits at a teller window post the same day and work for cash, checks, and other forms of money.
• Electronic transfers from another bank account are instant or next-day, depending on whether both banks use the same real-time payment system.
• Mailed deposits take five to seven business days and work best for checks you're not in a hurry to use.

Depositing at an ATM

Most banks have ATMs that accept deposits 24 hours a day. You insert your debit card, select "Deposit," and the machine walks you through the steps. For checks, you place them in an envelope the ATM provides, insert the envelope into the slot, and confirm the amount on the screen. For cash, you feed bills into the machine one at a time, and it counts them as it goes.

The deposit posts to your account by the next business day, sometimes the same day depending on when you deposit and your bank's processing schedule. One catch: some ATMs have daily deposit limits—often $5,000 or $10,000 per day—so if you're depositing a large amount, you may need to split it across multiple days or use a different method.

ATM deposits work only if your bank has ATMs you can reach. If you bank with a smaller regional bank or credit union, you may have fewer ATM options than customers of larger national banks. Some banks let you use ATMs from partner networks at no charge, so check your bank's website to see which machines you can use.

Depositing through your bank's mobile app

Most banks now offer mobile check deposit, which means you can photograph the front and back of a check using your phone and submit it through the bank's app. You take a clear photo of each side, the app confirms it can read the check amount and routing number, and you hit submit. The deposit posts within one business day, often faster than mailing a check.

Mobile deposit only works for checks—you cannot deposit cash this way. You also need a smartphone with a working camera and the bank's official app installed. Some banks limit how many checks you can deposit per day (often five to ten) or how much total you can deposit per month (sometimes $5,000 to $25,000), so check your bank's rules before you rely on this method for large amounts.

After you submit a mobile deposit, most banks ask you to write "Mobile Deposited" on the back of the check and keep it for a set period (usually 30 days) before destroying it. Do not deposit the same check again in person or at an ATM, because the bank will catch the duplicate and reverse one of the deposits.

Depositing in person at a bank branch

Walking into a branch and handing money to a teller is the oldest method and still one of the fastest. You can deposit cash, checks, or both. The teller counts the cash, stamps the checks, and hands you a receipt. The deposit posts the same day, usually within a few hours.

In-person deposits are useful if you have a large amount of cash, multiple checks, or money in an unusual form (like a cashier's check or money order). The teller can answer questions on the spot and confirm the deposit went through before you leave. The downside is that you have to go during branch hours, which are usually weekday business hours and limited Saturday hours.

If you do not have a branch nearby or cannot get there during open hours, this method may not work for you. But if you pass a branch regularly or have time to stop by, it is the most straightforward way to deposit large amounts quickly.

Depositing by mail

You can mail a check to your bank's deposit address, which you can find on your bank's website or by calling customer service. Put the check in an envelope with a deposit slip (if your bank provides one) or a note with your account number written on the back of the check. Mail it using regular postal mail.

Mailed deposits take five to seven business days to post, sometimes longer if the mail is slow or your bank is processing a high volume. This method works best for checks you are not in a hurry to use. Never mail cash—the postal service does not insure cash, and if the envelope is lost, you have no way to recover it.

Some banks provide prepaid envelopes for deposits, which speeds up the process slightly. Check your bank's website to see if yours does, and use the prepaid envelope if available.

Transferring money from another bank account

If you have money in another bank account, you can transfer it electronically to your current bank. Log into your bank's app or website, select "Transfer," choose the external account you want to transfer from, enter the amount, and submit. The transfer posts within one to three business days, depending on whether both banks use the same real-time payment system.

To set up an external transfer, you will need the routing number and account number of the account you are transferring from. You can find these on a check from that account or by logging into that bank's website. Some banks require you to verify the external account first by depositing a small amount and confirming it, which takes an extra day or two.

If both banks are part of the same real-time payment network (such as FedNow or The Clearing House RTP), the transfer may post within minutes. If not, it takes the standard one to three business days. Ask your bank which real-time networks it uses if you need a transfer to post quickly.

What to do if your deposit does not post

If a deposit does not show up in your account by the time your bank said it would, contact customer service right away. Have your receipt or confirmation number ready. The bank can look up the deposit and tell you whether it is still processing, whether there was an error, or whether it needs more information from you.

For ATM deposits, the bank may ask you to confirm the amount you deposited or provide a photo of the envelope. For mobile deposits, they may ask you to confirm the check amount or provide the original check. For mailed deposits, they may ask you to wait a few more days or resubmit the check if it was lost in the mail.

If the deposit was lost or rejected, your bank can usually reprocess it or help you figure out what went wrong. The key is to report the problem quickly so the bank has time to investigate while the deposit is still recent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit cash through my bank's app?

No. Mobile deposit works only for checks. To deposit cash, you must use an ATM, visit a branch in person, or use a third-party service like a check-cashing store or retail location that accepts deposits for your bank.

How long does it take for a check deposited at an ATM to post?

Most ATM check deposits post by the next business day. Some banks post them the same day if you deposit before a certain time (often 9 p.m. or midnight). Check your bank's website or app to see the cutoff time for same-day posting.

What is a routing number and where do I find it?

A routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank. You can find it on the bottom left of any check from your account, or by logging into your bank's website and looking at your account details. You need it to set up transfers from other banks.

Can I deposit a check made out to someone else?

Usually no. A check must be deposited into an account in the name of the person it is made out to. If someone gives you a check made out to them, they must sign the back and write "Pay to the order of [your name]" before you can deposit it into your account. Some banks do not accept these third-party checks, so call ahead if you are unsure.

What happens if I deposit the same check twice by accident?

The bank will catch the duplicate and reverse one of the deposits, usually within a few days. You will see the reversal as a debit in your account. To avoid this, write "Mobile Deposited" on the back of any check you deposit through your app and do not deposit it again.