The main ways to deposit funds into Santander

You can deposit money into a Santander checking account through an ATM, at a branch in person, by mobile app, or by having someone else deposit it for you. The fastest method depends on whether you have a Santander ATM or branch nearby, whether you have the Santander mobile app installed, and how quickly you need the money to show up in your account.

Each method has different timing. ATM deposits and branch deposits usually post the same business day or next business day. Mobile app deposits (using mobile check deposit) typically post within one to two business days. Direct deposits from employers or other sources post on the date the sender initiates them, which may be several days before the money arrives in your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Santander ATMs accept cash and check deposits 24/7, and most deposits post by the next business day.
  • In-branch deposits at any Santander location are when ready for cash and usually post the same day for checks.
  • The Santander mobile app lets you deposit checks by photo without visiting a branch, though posting takes one to two business days.
  • You can have paychecks or other payments deposited directly to your account if you provide the sender with your routing number and account number.

Depositing cash or checks at a Santander ATM

Santander ATMs accept both cash and checks. Insert your debit card, enter your PIN, and select the deposit option. The machine will guide you through the steps: choose whether you are depositing cash, checks, or both; insert the bills and checks into the slot; and confirm the amounts shown on the screen. The ATM will print a receipt showing what you deposited.

Cash deposits usually post to your account within one business day. Check deposits typically post within one to two business days, depending on the check amount and the bank it is drawn from. Santander ATMs are available 24/7, so you can deposit outside of branch hours. If you do not have a Santander ATM nearby, you can search for one on the Santander website or mobile app by entering your location.

Depositing in person at a Santander branch

Walk into any Santander branch during business hours with your cash or checks and your debit card or account number. Tell the teller you want to make a deposit. They will count the cash in front of you, verify the checks, and deposit the funds into your account. You will receive a receipt showing the deposit details.

Cash deposits post when ready. Check deposits usually post the same business day if you deposit before the branch's cutoff time (typically 2 p.m. or 3 p.m., but this varies by location). If you deposit after the cutoff, the checks may not post until the next business day. Branch hours vary by location, so check the Santander website or call ahead if you are unsure when your nearest branch is open.

Using the Santander mobile app to deposit checks

If you have the Santander mobile app installed on your phone, you can deposit checks without visiting a branch or ATM. Open the app, navigate to the deposit or mobile check deposit section, and follow the prompts. You will take a photo of the front and back of the check. The app will read the check amount and routing information automatically.

Review the information the app captured to make sure it is correct, then confirm the deposit. The check image is sent to Santander for processing. Mobile check deposits typically post within one to two business days. You should not deposit the physical check again after submitting it through the app—write "deposited" on the back and keep it for your records for 30 days in case there is a problem.

Setting up direct deposit from your employer or other sources

Direct deposit is the most hands-off way to get money into your account. Your employer, government agency, or other payer deposits funds directly on a schedule you set up with them. You will need to provide them with your Santander routing number and your account number. Both are printed on the bottom left of your checks, or you can find them in the Santander mobile app or by calling Santander customer service.

The routing number for Santander varies depending on which state your account is in. Once you have provided your information to the payer, deposits will arrive on the date the payer initiates them—usually your payday or the date a government benefit is scheduled. The money may take one to three business days to appear in your account after the payer sends it, depending on the payer's bank and the day of the week.

What happens if you deposit a check that bounces

If you deposit a check and the account it is drawn from does not have enough money to cover it, the check will bounce. Santander will reverse the deposit from your account, usually within three to five business days after the check is returned. You will be notified by email or through the mobile app that the check was returned.

Santander may charge you a returned check fee (the amount varies by account type). The person or business who wrote the check is responsible for the funds, not you. You can contact them to ask them to resubmit the check or provide a different form of payment. If the check was from a business, you may also contact your state's attorney general's office if you believe the check was written in bad faith.

Depositing funds from another bank into your Santander account

If you want to move money from another bank into Santander, you have a few options. You can write a check from the other bank and deposit it at a Santander ATM or branch using the methods described above. You can also set up an external transfer through the Santander mobile app or online banking, which pulls money from the other bank's account into your Santander account.

To set up an external transfer, log into Santander online banking or the mobile app, navigate to transfers, and select the option to transfer from an external account. You will need to provide the other bank's routing number and your account number there. Santander will verify the account by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) and asking you to confirm the amounts. Once verified, transfers typically take one to three business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a check deposit to show up in my account?

Check deposits at a Santander ATM or branch usually post within one to two business days. Mobile app check deposits typically take one to two business days as well. In-branch deposits before the branch cutoff time (usually 2 p.m. or 3 p.m.) may post the same day. Deposits made after hours or on weekends post on the next business day.

Can I deposit cash at a Santander ATM?

Yes. Santander ATMs accept cash deposits 24/7. Insert your debit card, select the deposit option, and follow the prompts to insert your cash. The deposit will post to your account within one business day. You will receive a receipt showing the amount deposited.

What information do I need to set up direct deposit?

You need your Santander routing number and your account number. Both are on the bottom left of your checks. You can also find them in the Santander mobile app or by calling Santander customer service. Provide this information to your employer or the organization sending the payment, and they will set up the deposit on their end.

What if my check deposit is rejected or bounces?

Santander will reverse the deposit from your account within three to five business days and notify you by email or through the app. You may be charged a returned check fee. Contact the person or business who wrote the check to ask them to resubmit it or provide another payment method.

Can I deposit checks using the Santander mobile app?

Yes. Open the app, go to mobile check deposit, and take photos of the front and back of the check. The app will read the check information and send it for processing. The deposit typically posts within one to two business days. Do not deposit the physical check again after submitting it through the app.