Cash deposit limits on business bank accounts – a simple guide

Although the use of cash has declined rapidly in recent years, around 10 per cent of adults still rely on cash for almost all of their daily purchases, according to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). 

That’s why almost 80 per cent of businesses told the FCA that they’d still be very likely to accept cash by 2025.

With research showing a rise in cash-only consumers due to the cost of living crisis, more small businesses may need to deposit cash into their business bank account. 

But did you know it’s highly likely that your business bank has a limit on the amount of cash you can deposit? 

Read on to find out how cash deposit limits work and how much you can deposit into some of the most popular business bank accounts.

How do cash deposit limits work?

Put simply, a deposit limit is the maximum amount of cash you can pay into your bank account at any one time. 

Some banks have daily deposit limits, while others have annual or monthly limits. There may be different limits depending on where you deposit your cash (e.g. a branch or the Post Office). Some banks also place different limits if you’re depositing coins or notes.

Cash deposit limits only apply to physical cash. Any money paid into your bank digitally (e.g. from sales taken by card) won’t contribute to your max deposit limit. 

Most deposit limits usually range from between £3,000 to £10,000 a day – see below for more details on the cash deposit limits of specific business bank accounts.

Why do banks set cash deposit limits?

By limiting the amount of cash customers can pay into their accounts, banks say it helps them to identify suspicious activity and financial crime such as money laundering. 

However, critics of cash deposit limits point out that more financial crime has been committed digitally in recent years.

The same critics also suggest that by limiting cash deposits, banks can speed up plans to close branches and go cashless.

Data from Which? shows that approximately 6,000 bank and building society branches have closed (or are due to close by the end of 2025) since January 2015. This equates to almost two thirds (61 per cent) of the total number of branches there were in 2015.

Business bank cash deposit limits 

The table below shows the cash deposit limits for businesses from some of the most popular business banking providers.

Bank	Business bank account deposit limit
Barclays	Each business account has a limit set by Barclays
NatWest	£3,000 a day over the counter. £8,000 a day using a self-serve machine
HSBC	No limit in branch. £9,000 a day limit if using the Post Office
Royal Bank of Scotland	£3,000 a day or £24,000 in a rolling 12-month period
Nationwide	No limit over the counter. Limit of £2,500 a day or 90 notes using a self-serve machine
Santander	£20,000 a day in notes, £1,000 a day in coins. £10,000 a day if using the Post Office
Metro Bank	£10,000 a day
The Co-operative Bank	£10,000 a day
TSB	£10,000 a day, £250,000 a year

How can small businesses manage cash deposit limits?

Deposit limits could cause your business problems if you take lots of cash from customers. Having surplus cash on your premises that you can’t deposit into a bank account could be at risk of theft.

So, how can small businesses make sure deposit limits don’t become a problem?

If you’re going to be depositing a lot of cash on a regular basis, it’s important to let your bank know as otherwise your account is more likely to be flagged for suspicious activity. 

You’ll also need to check the cash deposit limit when you open a business bank account. If it seems too low and is likely to cause you problems, speak to your bank and see if they can increase it (some banks set cash deposit limits on a case by case basis). The alternative is to switch business bank accounts to a provider with a higher or more flexible limit. 

It’s also important to keep an eye on your cash flow forecast, so you know at which times you’re going to have lots of cash that needs depositing. This can help you to plan when to make your deposits and how much to deposit without going over your limit.

Is cash making a comeback with consumers?

In 2023, the number of adults mainly using cash increased for the first time since 2019, according to UK Finance.

It’s thought that the increased use of cash last year was down to people withdrawing money to budget more effectively.

Cash use accounted for 12 per cent of all payments in 2023, the study found. And it’s estimated that around three million people still rely on cash on a daily basis.

Despite more people going cashless, the FCA has plans to impose stricter rules on banks and building societies when it comes to access to cash. These are likely to require a certain number of branches and free-to-use cash machines in any one area.

Does your business accept cash payments? Let us know in the comments below.

More banking guides for small businesses

• Online payment methods – a guide for small businesses
• The best joint business account for small businesses
• How to make a Bacs payment – a guide for businesses
• What is a sinking fund? A small business guide

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