{"id":18511,"date":"2026-01-07T09:42:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T15:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/?p=18511"},"modified":"2026-02-05T17:21:23","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T23:21:23","slug":"adding-to-a-savings-account","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/adding-to-a-savings-account\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you add to an online savings account regularly?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Whether you\u2019re funding your first savings account<\/a> or growing an existing rainy day fund<\/a>, actually depositing money into your savings should be the easiest part. But if you\u2019re still taking cash or checks to your local bank branch, you might find putting money in your savings to be inconvenient and even time-consuming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re considering opening an online bank account, especially if that bank doesn\u2019t have a local brick-and-mortar branch, you might wonder how to deposit money into savings accounts that are online. Here\u2019s a look at how to regularly add to an online savings account<\/a> without ever needing to leave your couch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Automated deposits from an existing account<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Automation is one of the best tools<\/a> to help you reach your savings goals. By removing the hands-on element of the savings process, you save time and energy and eliminate one of the most common savings hurdles: getting in your own way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

With an online account, you can set up automatic transfers from a linked account (such as your checking account). Once your accounts are linked, you can move money back and forth whenever you want to contribute to savings or withdraw for a special expense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, decide how often you want to contribute to your savings account. This decision might be based on a personal savings goal you\u2019ve set or could depend upon your paycheck schedule. Next, think about how much you can afford to save. Keep your account\u2019s cash flow in mind, like when you get paid and when bills are due. Lastly, plan to revisit your automatic savings plan occasionally to make sure you\u2019re saving the right amount and at the right intervals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Direct deposits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many employers today offer direct deposit, which electronically puts your paycheck in your bank account. But did you know that you can usually route a portion of your pay into a savings account, too?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With direct deposit, you can allocate a flat dollar amount or even a percentage of your pay into a dedicated online savings account. This often involves speaking with your employer\u2019s HR or payroll department, then filling out a direct deposit form with your savings account information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, choose the dollar amount (or percentage). You\u2019ll get the rest of your paycheck as usual\u2014and grow your savings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ATM deposits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You may have a regular influx of cash to deposit into your savings account, but visiting a local branch during banking hours may not be possible or convenient. In this case, you might be able to add cash to your account through a network ATM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Some network ATMs allow you to insert cash using the debit card connected to your checking account. Assuming you maintain checking and savings accounts at the same institution, the machine will ask which account you want to deposit the funds into, then will count your cash and provide a receipt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The benefits of making ATM deposits to your savings account are that you don\u2019t need to wait in a long line, speak with a teller, or plan your visit around the bank\u2019s business hours. Not all banks or accounts offer this service, though, so check whether your online savings account supports ATM cash deposits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can you deposit a check into a savings account?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With mobile check deposits<\/a>, you can use your phone, web browser, or other connected device to deposit paper checks from anywhere. There\u2019s no need to visit a bank branch or mail your check, and funds can sometimes be available in just minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This process applies to both checking and savings<\/a> accounts. You can make a mobile check deposit from your phone or other connected device to initially fund your account or add money. Just sign the back of your check, use the bank\u2019s mobile app to take pictures of both sides, confirm the amount, and click \u201cdeposit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transfers between accounts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve linked another account, you can easily initiate transfers between your accounts. If you have multiple eligible bank accounts, transferring between them is easy and can be done through a mobile app or online.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to transfer from an external bank account into your savings, you should request to link the accounts. This process might take a few days to complete and is typically done through a series of small automated clearing house (ACH) deposits that you\u2019ll confirm. Future transfers between financial institutions might take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of business days, depending on the accounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another option is to make a wire transfer to your savings account from another bank account. Note that a service charge may be associated with domestic or international wires from your outgoing account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start adding to your online savings account regularly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gone are the days of visiting a bank branch to fund your savings account. With an online savings account, you can set up automatic transfers, deposit checks from your mobile phone, arrange transfers from linked accounts, or even accept direct deposits from your employer. And if you\u2019re wondering how to check your savings account online, that\u2019s as simple as logging in on your device. It\u2019s now easier than ever to manage your savings and meet your financial goals in the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Articles may contain information from third parties. The inclusion of such information does not imply an affiliation with the bank or bank sponsorship, endorsement, or verification regarding the third-party or information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The information provided herein is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be construed as professional advice. Nothing contained in this article shall give rise to, or be construed to give rise to, any obligation or liability whatsoever on the part of Discover, a division of Capital One, N.A., or its affiliates.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Once you open a savings account, you should add to it regularly. Here are some simple ways to deposit money into your savings.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":18562,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[76,77],"tags":[3410,135,94,132,98,127,26,97,25,32],"class_list":["post-18511","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-banking101","category-online-savings-account","tag-atm","tag-automatic-transfer","tag-convenience","tag-direct-deposit","tag-funds-transfer","tag-how-to","tag-mobile-banking","tag-mobile-check-deposit","tag-online-banking","tag-online-savings-account"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18511","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18511"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18511\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22906,"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18511\/revisions\/22906"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18562"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18511"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18511"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18511"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}