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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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
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3. Deposit cash in a linked ATM
Some — but not all — online banks with nationwide shared ATM networks such as Allpoint and MoneyPass are able to collect deposits through cash-accepting ATMs. Ask your institution if an ATM option is available.
» Depositing a check? How to find your bank routing number, account number and other important information
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.
