topic Re: Cash Deposits for a checking account at Alliant Credit Union in Personal Finance

Cash Deposits for a checking account at Alliant Credit Union

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 00:03:28 GMT

I don't live near a cash deposit atm that is in the Alliant Credit Union network. This sucks because my job is based on cash tips so I have a lot cash that I take to the bank at least twice a week. I call Alliant to see if they have another way to make cash deposits and they say I have $20 worth of atm reimbursements that I can use.

I start looking for local banks that I can use to deposit cash into their atm and so far I find nothing. If I use my Alliant debit card at a Regions Bank atm ( I live near Birmingham, AL), there is no deposit option on the screen at the atm so I cannot do that. If I keep checking at Wells Fargo, PNC, etc... then I may discover the same situation at their atm's.

Does anyone have any ideas on how I can deposit cash straight into this checking account with Alliant Credit Union?

Re: Cash Deposits for a checking account at Alliant Credit Union

UncleB — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 00:19:31 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I don't live near a cash deposit atm that is in the Alliant Credit Union network. This sucks because my job is based on cash tips so I have a lot cash that I take to the bank at least twice a week. I call Alliant to see if they have another way to make cash deposits and they say I have $20 worth of atm reimbursements that I can use.

I start looking for local banks that I can use to deposit cash into their atm and so far I find nothing. If I use my Alliant debit card at a Regions Bank atm ( I live near Birmingham, AL), there is no deposit option on the screen at the atm so I cannot do that. If I keep checking at Wells Fargo, PNC, etc... then I may discover the same situation at their atm's.

Does anyone have any ideas on how I can deposit cash straight into this checking account with Alliant Credit Union?

I took a quick peek at the Alliant branch/ATM locator tool and there don't seem to be any deposit-taking ATMs local to Birmingham or the surrounding area (I have family there as well). The AllPoint ATMs that are "in-network" don't indicate they take deposits, although I'm not sure if that is always perfectly accurate so if you're near one it might be worth at least checking out.

That said, Alliant does appear to participate in shared branching, which might be an option for you. It's certainly not as convenient as using an ATM, but it might be an option in a pinch.

While not quite the same, I have similar issues with USAA and cash deposits. That is the reason I keep an account with a local bank as well; in my case the much-maligned Wells Fargo. When I need to deposit cash, I simply stick it into the WF ATM, then I transfer it to USAA. Again, not a perfect solution but it's worked for me for several years now.

There are many other Alliant members on here, and it's likely some of them will have a solution that might work better for you.

Re: Cash Deposits for a checking account at Alliant Credit Union

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 01:55:56 GMT

it always is fun having a second Credit Union that is a shared branch.

Also, Alliant may do mobile deposits with a check but not a money order.

I just have a very similar situation with Alliant for deposits in 30742 zipcode. I have to go another city to deposit with a shared branch.

Re: Cash Deposits for a checking account at Alliant Credit Union

SouthJamaica — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 02:49:00 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I don't live near a cash deposit atm that is in the Alliant Credit Union network. This sucks because my job is based on cash tips so I have a lot cash that I take to the bank at least twice a week. I call Alliant to see if they have another way to make cash deposits and they say I have $20 worth of atm reimbursements that I can use.

I start looking for local banks that I can use to deposit cash into their atm and so far I find nothing. If I use my Alliant debit card at a Regions Bank atm ( I live near Birmingham, AL), there is no deposit option on the screen at the atm so I cannot do that. If I keep checking at Wells Fargo, PNC, etc... then I may discover the same situation at their atm's.

Does anyone have any ideas on how I can deposit cash straight into this checking account with Alliant Credit Union?

I think you're out of luck, will just need to find a local place, and then make online transfers.

Re: Cash Deposits for a checking account at Alliant Credit Union

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 03:44:39 GMT

I knew there was a reason why I kept my TD checking open.

Re: Cash Deposits for a checking account at Alliant Credit Union

SouthJamaica — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 16:09:03 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I knew there was a reason why I kept my TD checking open.

TD has the advantage of being open more than other financial institutions.

But it doesn't offer the easy ACH transfer capabilities that credit unions, and some banks, offer.

Re: Cash Deposits for a checking account at Alliant Credit Union

MakingProgress — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 16:59:06 GMT

I am going to show my ignorance. What is a shared branch?

Re: Cash Deposits for a checking account at Alliant Credit Union

SouthJamaica — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 17:00:57 GMT

@MakingProgress wrote:
I am going to show my ignorance. What is a shared branch?

Some credit unions have banded together into a network of 'shared branches', where you can do the same basic transactions -- such as making a deposit -- which you could do at a branch of your own credit union.

Re: Cash Deposits for a checking account at Alliant Credit Union

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 18:16:39 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I knew there was a reason why I kept my TD checking open.

Always have a second bank ... what happens if they go down, get malwear, get hacked ... ? Sure glad I do. Like UncleB, I have a bank that I cannot reach so I use my other one and transfer the funds (note however not a bank with such a high reputation). In truth, I have too many banks ...

Re: Cash Deposits for a checking account at Alliant Credit Union

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 18:10:11 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I knew there was a reason why I kept my TD checking open.
Always have a second bank ... what happens if they go down, get malwear, get hacked ... ? Sure glad I do. Like UncleB, I have a bank that I cannot reach so I use my other one and transfer the funds (note however not a bank with such a high reputation).

No worries Dino, I have more than 10 banks, a lot more if you count 5% prepaid debit savings accounts, I'm well covered.

Re: Cash Deposits for a checking account at Alliant Credit Union

UncleB — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 18:20:56 GMT

@SouthJamaica wrote:
@MakingProgress wrote:
I am going to show my ignorance. What is a shared branch?
Some credit unions have banded together into a network of 'shared branches', where you can do the same basic transactions -- such as making a deposit -- which you could do at a branch of your own credit union.

If you already know your own CU participates you can do a quick search from this page for a nearby shared branch: http://sharedbranching.org/

You can get more general info on CU Shared Branching here: https://co-opcreditunions.org/

Re: Cash Deposits for a checking account at Alliant Credit Union

DaveInAZ — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 21:26:15 GMT

@UncleB wrote:
@SouthJamaica wrote:
@MakingProgress wrote:
I am going to show my ignorance. What is a shared branch?
Some credit unions have banded together into a network of 'shared branches', where you can do the same basic transactions -- such as making a deposit -- which you could do at a branch of your own credit union.

+1

If you already know your own CU participates you can do a quick search from this page for a nearby shared branch: http://sharedbranching.org/

You can get more general info on CU Shared Branching here: https://co-opcreditunions.org/

Yep, I made a cash deposit into my DCU savings account yesterday here in southern AZ. DCU only has branches in MA & NH, but with CU Shared Branching it's not a problem.

Re: Cash Deposits for a checking account at Alliant Credit Union

Blodreina — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 07:30:41 GMT

Maintain an account with a major branch. My primary bank is online, but I have a savings account with Bank of America - which has come in handy multiple times, and there's a BoA freaking everywhere lol.

Downside is that maintaining the branch account requires funds to be tied up to avoid the monthly fee. So, I guess it depends on your own analysis of how useful it would be versus the money that would be parked there. For my purposes, I find it worthwhile.

Re: Cash Deposits for a checking account at Alliant Credit Union

Anonymous — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 15:03:41 GMT

Per the Alliant representative, they do not participate in shared branching/co-op so that will not work. Despite this, according to the branch/atm locator on the Alliant website, Navy Federal accepts deposits from Alliant customers. Unfortunately, the closest NFCU is 60 miles away from me.

My local America's First Federal Credit union gives me free cashiers checks since I have an account with them. I used them for cash deposits till now and transferred the money electronically with them to Alliant. Alliant has same day turnaround for mobile check deposits and cashiers checks have no hold time. As long as the check is uploaded with my camera phone by 3pm central time monday-friday, then the check is deposited and funds are available that same day.

After a week of solution searching, my problem is solved. Thank you for the insight.

Re: Cash Deposits for a checking account at Alliant Credit Union

Anonymous — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 17:25:38 GMT

I have made many many money order deposits through the mobile deposit with Alliant. Just have your cash converted to a money order and it will be instantly posted to your account when you mobile deposit.

Re: Cash Deposits for a checking account at Alliant Credit Union

Anonymous — Sun, 15 Apr 2018 03:34:24 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I have made many many money order deposits through the mobile deposit with Alliant. Just have your cash converted to a money order and it will be instantly posted to your account when you mobile deposit.

I have never used a money order. I know they charge for them at Walmart, Publix, etc... Maybe my local credit union will give me a free money order. I will check.

Re: Cash Deposits for a checking account at Alliant Credit Union

Anonymous — Sun, 15 Apr 2018 03:39:23 GMT

Walmart has the cheapest rate, $0.70 for up to $1000.

Re: Cash Deposits for a checking account at Alliant Credit Union

joltdude — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 00:48:20 GMT

At one point you could do virtual Share Branching with the Sprig app.. though both my CUs have exited the program...

It was neat though.. I could remote check deposit into Sprig (which had an awful image capture but i digress) and i could transfer it into and between HFCU and MIT FCU.... at home...

Shared branching is also useful if your CU has cashless branches...... *eyeroll*

As an aside.. many CUs will issue you 1 check a day for free from your account...

Heh i remember one CU i belong to.. to get cash from a stone... (ah cashless branches) before they moved and had an atm attached... you went in.. and got a check that was drawn on the banks account at the bank a few doors down... and that bank would cash it without a fee if you presented your ID to the teller.. Thought it was clever....

-J