Queues at branches, dwindling ATMs and hectic errands have reshaped how Britons handle notes and coins on the go.
From September 2025, Lloyds Bank rolls out a new way to pay in cash while you shop, collect parcels or grab groceries, promising speed without the queue.
What Lloyds is changing
Lloyds Bank has introduced a barcode cash deposit feature inside its mobile app, billed as a first among major UK banks. Customers generate a single-use barcode in the app and hand over notes and coins at participating tills. The cashier scans the code and the bank credits the account. No card or paper slip is required.
Deposit up to £300 in cash per day, capped at £600 per month, using a time-limited barcode from the Lloyds app.
The network behind the tills is PayPoint, which spans convenience stores, newsagents and petrol forecourts. Lloyds says the feature goes live nationwide in September 2025 and sits alongside its existing cash deposit routes at branches, cash machines, Banking Hubs and Post Offices.
How the barcode deposit works
- Open the Lloyds mobile app and go to the Everyday section.
- Choose the cash deposit option to generate a barcode.
- Visit a participating PayPoint retailer and present the barcode at the till.
- Hand over notes and coins within the stated limits; the cashier scans the code.
- Receive confirmation in the app; the code expires after two hours if unused.
Where you can use it
More than 30,000 PayPoint locations will accept the barcode for deposits. Most are open long hours and seven days a week. Lloyds highlights proximity: the vast majority of people live within a short walk or drive of a PayPoint store.
30,000+ sites, with 94% open seven days a week and the network close to 99.5% of the UK population.
Customers can still walk into Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland branches for cash deposits. They can also use Lloyds’ cash-in and cash-out machines, Post Offices across the UK and community Banking Hubs offering counter services via the Post Office.
Limits, timing and what to expect
The mobile barcode deposit supports up to £300 per day and £600 per calendar month. The code remains valid for two hours after creation, helping reduce misuse and accidental sharing. Retail staff process the deposit at the till in the same visit.
Lloyds has framed the move as convenience rather than a replacement for branches. The bank has not flagged changes to existing branch, Post Office or cash machine services. It also has not announced extra charges for using barcode deposits; customers should check their account terms for any cash handling limits or fees that may already apply.
| Channel | What you can do | Access | Deposit limit stated |
|---|---|---|---|
| PayPoint barcode (Lloyds app) | Pay in notes and coins using a time-limited barcode | 30,000+ stores, extended hours, seven days in most sites | £300 per day, £600 per month |
| Lloyds/Halifax/Bank of Scotland branches | Cash deposits and wider banking services | Business hours, weekdays and some Saturdays | Bank-defined; check account terms |
| Cash-in/out machines | Deposit notes at enabled machines, withdraw cash | Available at selected locations | Machine and account limits apply |
| Post Office counters | Deposit and withdraw for day-to-day needs | 11,500 branches nationwide | Post Office and account limits apply |
| Banking Hubs | Counter services run by the Post Office | Selected towns and communities | Hub and account limits apply |
Why this matters now
Cash use remains vital for many households and small traders, even as digital payments grow. People want to bank cash without detouring to a high street branch. Long hours and local access make convenience stores an obvious point of service. By introducing barcode deposits, Lloyds taps into everyday shopping journeys and cuts friction for those who handle physical takings or tips.
For customers who live far from a branch or who work shifts, the new route can save time. It also spreads the load across multiple options: PayPoint stores, Post Offices, Hubs, branches and machines. That variety should help keep queues shorter and give customers a fallback if one route is busy.
Who stands to benefit
- People paid part of their income in cash, such as hospitality and trades.
- Parents managing pocket money and small savings for children.
- Micro‑businesses and stallholders banking modest daily takings.
- Shoppers who combine errands and want to avoid a special trip to a branch.
- Rural customers with limited branch access but a nearby convenience store.
Security, safety and practical tips
The two-hour barcode window helps reduce risk. If you generate a code and plans change, let it expire and create a new one later. Do not share screenshots of the barcode. Keep your phone lock active and ensure the app uses up-to-date security features, including biometric login where available.
Count your cash before you reach the counter. Keep coins separate for speed. Ask for a receipt at the till and check the deposit notification in your app. If your deposit does not appear, contact Lloyds support through the app while you are still near the store.
Barcodes time out after two hours, adding a simple layer of protection against misuse or accidental sharing.
What you should do next
Update the Lloyds mobile app to access the Everyday section where the barcode tool lives. Use the store locator in the app to find the nearest participating PayPoint. Plan deposits around your shopping run to stay within the two-hour window. Track the £300 daily and £600 monthly caps, especially if you bank takings across several days.
Keep alternative routes in mind. If you need to deposit more than £300 in one day, a branch, machine or Post Office may suit you better. If you rely on coins, confirm the store can accept them in larger volumes, as tills vary.
Scenarios to help you plan
If you often bank £50 to £100 at a time, the barcode route fits neatly into the £300 daily allowance. Three £100 deposits on different days keep you within the £600 monthly cap. If you handle higher volumes—say £250 in notes most weekdays—monitor your monthly tally in the app so you do not hit the £600 ceiling mid-month.
For occasional savers, a once‑a‑fortnight drop of up to £300 covers birthdays, charity tins and spare change. For small traders, consider a rhythm: lighter weekday deposits at PayPoint and a larger weekend deposit at a branch or Post Office if needed. That blends access and limits without disrupting work.
What Lloyds and PayPoint say the aim is
Lloyds frames the change as giving customers more choice and flexibility across familiar locations. PayPoint positions its stores as local hubs for banking, parcels, bills and mobile top-ups. Together, the partners bring banking to places people already visit, with clear limits, long hours and a short, barcode‑led process that turns spare minutes into a cash deposit.
£300 a day, £600 a month—too tight for micro‑biz?
Smart idea: buy milk and bank my tips in one stop. But if the barcode expires in two hours, what happens if the queue is huge?