Can You Deposit Money at an ATM? Here’s What to Know

Depositing money at an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) is a convenient and widely available banking service, allowing individuals to manage their finances outside of traditional bank hours. This accessibility provides flexibility for adding funds to accounts, whether it involves cash or checks.

Preparing for Your ATM Deposit

Before heading to an ATM for a deposit, you will need your debit card and its Personal Identification Number (PIN). For cash deposits, count your bills beforehand and organize them so they are flat and facing the same direction, which assists the ATM in processing them accurately. When depositing checks, proper endorsement is necessary; writing “For Deposit Only” along with your signature and account number on the back within the endorsement area is a secure method to ensure the check is only deposited into your account.

Depositing at an ATM owned by your bank is recommended, as it provides quicker processing and avoids potential fees that might be incurred at out-of-network ATMs. Many contemporary ATMs feature envelope-free deposit technology, allowing you to insert cash and checks directly into a designated slot without a physical envelope. However, some older machines may still require you to place your cash or checks into a deposit envelope, which are provided at the ATM. Banks also implement daily or per-transaction deposit limits, which can vary by institution and account type; these limits are often based on the number of bills rather than a specific dollar amount, such as 40 to 50 bills per transaction.

Step-by-Step ATM Deposit Process

You will insert your debit card into the designated slot, and then enter your PIN when prompted. After successfully logging in, the ATM menu will present various options, from which you should select the “Deposit” choice, sometimes specified as “Deposit Cash,” “Deposit Checks,” or “Deposit Both.” The machine will then guide you to choose the specific account, such as checking or savings, where you wish to deposit the funds.

You will insert your funds into the ATM. For cash, you can feed bills into the slot in a stack, ensuring they are flat and oriented correctly, and the machine will count them automatically. If depositing checks, you will insert them one by one or as a stack into the check deposit slot.

Most modern ATMs will scan the items, displaying the recognized amount on the screen for your review. Verify that the amount displayed by the ATM matches your intended deposit. Once confirmed, you will finalize the transaction by selecting the appropriate on-screen option. Finally, remember to retrieve your debit card and the printed receipt upon completion.

Understanding Your Deposit Confirmation and Fund Availability

Upon completing your ATM deposit, the machine will issue a receipt, which serves as a record of your transaction. This receipt includes details such as the date and time of the deposit, the ATM’s location, a transaction identification number, and the amount confirmed by the machine. Keep this receipt as proof of your deposit in case any discrepancies arise later.

The availability of your deposited funds can vary depending on the type of deposit and your bank’s policies. Cash deposits made at a proprietary ATM are often available immediately or by the next business day. Funds from check deposits, however, are subject to federal Regulation CC, which dictates how quickly banks must make funds available. For checks deposited at your bank’s ATM, funds become available by the second business day. If deposited at a non-proprietary ATM, funds may take up to the fifth business day. Banks may also place longer holds on larger check deposits exceeding $5,525, or for new accounts. After making a deposit, monitor your account through online banking or your mobile app to confirm that the funds are available for use.