Personal Finance Tips

Can you put money in your bank account through the Post Office?

Gert Svaiko

07.02.24 (updated more than 1 year ago)

Read time 2 minutes

Prefer to bank in person, or have a cash deposit to pay into your bank account? If you can’t make it to a bank branch, your local Post Office could be the place to go.

In this handy guide, we’ll look at whether you can put money in your bank account through the Post Office, and how to go about it.

**Wise doesn't currently accept cash deposits to the Wise account

Table of contents
Can you pay into your bank account at the Post Office? What about business bank accounts? How to put money in your bank account through the Post Office What you need to bring with you Are there any fees? How long will it take for the money to come through? Need to pay into an international account? Use Wise

Can you pay into your bank account at the Post Office?

Yes, almost everyone with a UK bank account can deposit money into it at a Post Office branch. This makes it more convenient if you do need to pay in a cash deposit, without having to find your nearest bank branch - which could be quite a distance away.

We’ll show you how to put money into your account at the Post Office in just a moment. The process varies between banks, as some let you deposit cash while others only permit deposits using a debit card.

What about business bank accounts?

It all depends on the bank and the account, but the Post Office does offer services for everyday business banking at its branches. This could be useful if your business handles cash or cheques, and you need to pay in at the end of the day - but can’t make it to the bank.

You can check if your bank is supported here.

How to put money in your bank account through the Post Office

Want to make a payment into your bank account at the Post Office? The first thing you need to do is head to the Post Office website to check whether it offers pay-in services for your bank.

It’s really easy to do - simply select your bank from the drop-down menu and check whether cash deposits are supported. You can also find your nearest Post Office branch.

Then, all you need to do is pop in with your cash or card, and pay into your bank account over the counter.

📚 Read more: Post Office’s partnership with Western Union: how it works?

deposit-bag-and-cash-to-bank

What you need to bring with you

The Post Office website has details of what you’ll need to bring with you in order to make a deposit, which varies on who you bank with. You can also contact your bank for details.

But here’s a quick look at what you might need:

Cash or card to make your payment
Your PIN number (if paying by card)
A paying-in slip - if required by your bank. Some banks such as Halifax require you to get a pre-printed paying slip first.¹ You’ll nearly always need a paying-in slip if depositing a cheque.
Details of your bank account.

Are there any fees?

No, it’s completely free to use the Post Office to deposit money into your bank account.²

However, there is one very important thing to check. While the Post Office won’t charge you a fee, some banks do have fees for making cash deposits.² To avoid this, you might want to check directly with your bank beforehand.

How long will it take for the money to come through?

If you pay in your deposit using a debit card, it should show in your bank account the same day. Cash deposits tend to take longer, so you can expect to see it in your account the next working day.² It can vary from bank to bank though.

Need to pay into an international account? Use Wise

The Post Office only lets you make deposits into UK bank accounts. So if you need to make a payment to an international account - your own or someone else’s - you’ll need an alternative solution.

The money services provider Wise is just what you need.

Sign up for a Wise account online and you can send money worldwide to 140+ countries in just a few clicks. You’ll only pay low, transparent fees* and always get the mid-market exchange rate. Wise doesn't accept cash deposits but you can top up your Wise account using a card or a bank transfer.

Sources used for this article:

Post Office - Everyday Banking
Post Office - Help - Everyday Banking

Sources checked on 30-Jan-2024.

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.