Despite reports that we are moving towards a ‘cashless’ society, you might still find yourself with notes you need to pay into your bank account.
How much cash can you deposit at a UK bank?
There is no specific UK-wide limit on depositing cash at a bank branch, but if you deposit a large amount of cash, this is more likely to be flagged by your bank and reported. Your bank may ask for evidence of the source of your deposit if it’s flagged as suspicious.
These limits are put in place to flag any suspicious activity, ensure that anti-money laundering protocols are followed and protect customers from financial crime.
Most banks have a limit for depositing at cash machines or ATMs – this is likely to be around £2,000-£3,000 a day or around 30-50 notes, depending on the bank. There are also limits for depositing cash at the Post Office, but this will vary between banks.
Some UK banks have also started setting an overall limit on cash deposits. Barclays, for example, will only permit personal banking customers to deposit £20,000 in cash over a year from July 2024.
Natwest has a £24,000 annual cash deposit limit for any machine deposits, including those in branch. There is also a cap of £3,000 a day. These limits do not apply to in-person deposits in branch.
How to deposit cash in a UK bank
To deposit your hard-earned cash at your bank, you’ll first need to open a bank account if you don’t already have one.
Bank branch. For larger sums or if you prefer to speak to someone about your deposit, you can go into your local bank branch and request a deposit. You’ll need your debit card and PIN.
Cash machine. For smaller sums, you can use a cash machine to deposit the money and you’ll just need your bank card and PIN to pay the money.
Post office. It’s also possible to deposit cash, although there are typically limits in place. If you’d prefer to deposit cash at the Post Office, you can check out our guide to paying money in there.
Can you deposit money regularly?
Yes, you can deposit cash regularly, so long as this doesn’t go over any limits put in place by your bank. However, keep in mind that if you are regularly depositing large sums of money into your bank account, this may be flagged as suspicious activity and reported in line with the government’s Money Laundering Regulations.
Bottom line
There is no official cash deposit limit in the UK, but depositing large amounts or paying in a lot of cash regularly may raise suspicion and your bank could report it for investigation. There may also be specific limits in place by your bank – especially for ATM or post office deposits – so it’s worth checking the restrictions before paying in.
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Sophie Barber is a content marketing manager for Finder in the UK after previously working as a content manager at a digital marketing agency. She has over 5 years experience in writing and publishing clear, concise and informative online articles for a variety of websites. See full bio
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