How to put cash on my debit card

Carolyn has worked in newsrooms around the country as a reporter and editor. Her interests include personal finance, sci-fi novels and ridiculous Broadway musicals.

Wealth psychology expert and coach Kathleen Burns Kingsbury, founder of KBK Wealth Connection and host of the Breaking Money Silence podcast, is an internationally published author and speaker. As an expert on financial psychology, Kathleen has appeared on television and her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, "PBS NewsHour," Money magazine, Today Money, Forbes and CNBC. Kathleen served as an adjunct faculty member at the McCallum Graduate School at Bentley University from 2009 to 2019 and currently teaches at Champlain College.

It is possible to deposit cash or checks in your bank account using a deposit-enabled ATM. With the growing availability of mobile deposits, though, you can just stay home, take a picture of your check, and submit it for deposit using your bank’s app. So why would you need to ever use ATMs to make deposits?

First, if you have the cash to deposit, then you can't do it with an app. And with checks, it may take a bit longer for your funds to become available using mobile deposits compared to ATM deposits, depending on your bank's policies.

Let’s review the process of depositing cash or checks in your bank account using a deposit-enabled ATM—from start to finish.

Note

Not all ATMs accept deposits, and not all deposit-enabled ATMs will work with your account.

How to Make ATM Deposits

Be prepared. Make a habit of bringing everything you need. Try to move as efficiently as possible so that you can get your cash safely into the ATM and avoid holding up the line. Beyond your debit card and personal identification number (PIN), bring the following items:

• A pen for endorsing checks and filling out a deposit slip. Bank-provided pens may be missing or out of ink.
• A deposit slip, if your bank requires one. Grab a few extra so you can fill these out before arriving at the ATM the next time you make a deposit. Plus, you never know if they’ll run out.
• An envelope, if your bank requires one. Again, grab a few extra if your bank requires a particular type of envelope.

Note

Before you begin your deposit, look around to ensure that the environment is safe. Don’t pull out cash if somebody is watching you and making you feel uncomfortable.

Also, verify that the ATM you want to use accepts deposits (and that it works with your bank account).

You may be able to insert multiple deposit items at once. Some machines allow you to insert a stack of up to 30 items. But be sure to follow the on-screen instructions to see if you need to insert them one by one.

When you finish, confirm that the deposit was completed correctly. Review the amount deposited, and, if possible, make any corrections. Next, get a receipt, preferably with images of each check you deposited on the receipt. Confirm that your session ended and that your account is no longer accessible before you walk away from the machine.

When the Money Is Available

When you deposit funds through an ATM, there may be a delay before you can use the money. You might have to wait before using funds for debit card purchases, bill payments, and withdrawals. Check your bank’s funds availability policy, which explains your bank’s rules for holding deposits.

Cash deposits to a no-envelope ATM might be available immediately or within one business day. Check deposits typically post on the same day you deposit, but your bank might only make the first $200 of your check available within one or two business days. The remaining amount should be available for use after a few business days.

Cut-off times are sometimes generous when you use an ATM. Banks might allow you to deposit funds as late as 8:00 p.m. (or later) to have the deposit count for that day. Especially if your bank clears your deposits quickly, this can be helpful when you’re too late to reach a teller.

Problems With ATM Deposits

Before relying on an ATM entirely, make sure you know some of the potential pitfalls.

Errors

Occasionally, ATMs make mistakes, and researching transactions can take several days or more.

Safety

Bringing cash to an ATM opens up the opportunity for robbery or for somebody to steal your card information and PIN (the same goes for withdrawals from an ATM). Evaluate your ATM’s location, stick to well-lit areas, and remember there is safety in numbers.

If you regularly deposit cash, change your routine so nobody can learn your patterns. If you’re just depositing checks, there’s less risk, and you can even deposit those checks with your mobile device instead (from the safety of your home or workplace).

Access to Funds

Again, depositing in person with a bank employee might be the fastest way to get access to funds from a check. If time is of the essence, try to get to a teller before branches close.

Tips for Making Deposits

There are some important things to keep in mind before making your first ATM deposit:

Other Banks

Typically, you cannot make deposits to another bank’s ATM. If you don’t have an account at a given bank, you can often make withdrawals (for an extra fee), but you can't make deposits.

Check Your Bank’s Website or App for ATM Locations

Look for ATM networks that might work with your bank. Another easy way to find out whether or not you can make a deposit is to simply insert your card and punch in your PIN. If you see an option to make deposits, you're in business.

Traveling

If you’re out of the country or even just out of town, it may be difficult to find a deposit-enabled ATM for your account. Even if your bank has ATMs installed overseas (or is part of a network), they might not work for deposits.

Online Banks

Online banks often prefer that you make mobile check deposits. But if you want to deposit cash or use an ATM for any reason, those banks might also have relationships with ATM owners. For example, Capital One 360 allows you to make deposits at select ATMs.

Credit Union Members

If your credit union participates in shared branching, you can use branches of other credit unions. You might not be able to deposit at their ATMs, but you can probably make a deposit inside with a teller. Depending on where you are and your schedule, that may be the solution you need.

How Much Can You Deposit in an ATM?

There is usually not a limit on the amount you can deposit in an ATM, but your bank might limit the number of items you can deposit at once.

What Is an ATM Deposit Hold?

Some banks place a hold on all or a portion of your deposit until the next day or several days later. This allows time for the bank to verify your deposit and ensure your transaction is valid. It's a good idea to wait until all holds have cleared before you try to use the funds you deposited in the ATM.

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Sources

The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. Wells Fargo. "Mobile Deposit."

2. Consumer Reports. "Pros and Cons of Mobile Check Deposit."

3. Capital One. "Can I Deposit a Check at an ATM?"

4. Wells Fargo. "Envelope-Free ATMs."

5. Wells Fargo. "Deposit Questions: When Will My Deposit Be Credited to My Account?"

6. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. "How Quickly Can I Get Money After I Deposit a Check Into My Checking Account? What Is a Deposit Hold?"

   How do you put money on a debit card?

   Steps for how to deposit cash at an ATM.

   Find an in-network ATM that takes cash. ... .

   Enter your debit card and PIN. ... .

   Push the button for depositing money. ... .

   Choose your checking or savings account. ... .

   Put your money into the machine. ... .

   Confirm the deposit amount..

   Can I deposit cash into my debit card account?

   ATM/debit cardholders can usually make deposits to their accounts at ATMs owned by their financial institution, as long as the ATM is capable of accepting deposits.

   Can I put cash on my card at any ATM?

   It is possible to make cash deposits at an ATM. However, unlike withdrawals, which can be made at any ATM (for a small fee), it is not possible to make deposits at any ATM that you find on your way. Deposits can be made only at an ATM that belongs to your bank.

   Can I deposit money through ATM?

   Use your debit or ATM card and PIN to access your account at the ATM. On the menu screen, you'll likely see an option to make a deposit. Choose the account you'd like to deposit to. You may be able to deposit money into your checking or savings account.