Can I Get a Money Bag from the Bank? An In-Depth Guide for You

Have you ever wondered about those hefty canvas bags hauled around by bank employees or armored truck guards? What are they, and could you get your hands on money bags like those for your own personal or business use? I‘m going to walk you through everything you need to know about money bags in this detailed guide.

What Exactly Are Money Bags?

Money bags go by many names – cash bags, deposit bags, security bags, bank bags. But they all serve the same essential purpose – to safely transport and store currency, coins, checks, valuables and other items.

Money bags provide rugged, tear-resistant portable protection thanks to heavy-duty materials and tamper-proof closures like reinforced zippers and combination locks. Without money bags, banks, retailers, and other cash-intensive businesses would have a hard time securely handling large cash volumes.

Some key facts about money bags:

• Used by banks since the 1800s
• Range from 4 x 6 inches to over 18 x 24 inches in size
• Can hold $1,000 to $250,000+ in cash equivalents
• Materials include vinyl, canvas, nylon, aluminum, stainless steel mesh
• Extra security from zipper locks, combo locks, RFID blocking

Money bags are indispensable tools for safely transporting currency and other valuables across distances. But banks don‘t usually hand them out to customers. Let‘s look at why…

Why Don‘t Banks Provide Money Bags to Customers?

While banks use heavy duty money bags every day, they don‘t give them to customers for a few good reasons:

Cost – With their rugged materials and protective features, money bags range from $5 for basic canvas bags up to $50+ for large steel mesh bags with combination locks. Banks could not justify providing these expensive bags for free.

Necessity – For everyday transactions, most individuals have no need to regularly transport large sums of cash. A basic wallet or purse meets their needs.

Security – Money bags enable discreet transport of cash and valuables. Handing them out widely increases the risk of theft and misuse.

Banks want to limit access to control these concerns. But there are still options for safely handling cash…

What Banks Do Provide Customers for Cash Handling

For day-to-day banking needs, banks offer some free alternatives to money bags:

• Deposit envelopes – Simple paper envelopes to discreetly deposit cash or checks.

• Straps – Paper bands to wrap around stacked bills for easier organization.

• Coin wrappers – Paper sleeves to sort and bundle coins before deposit.

• Night drop bags – Tamper-evident plastic bags for after-hours deposits.

While not as hardy as true money bags, these tools meet most basic consumer cash management needs. But businesses regularly handling large cash volumes may desire something more heavy duty.

Where Can You Purchase Money Bags?

Money bags can be purchased from:

• Office supply stores – Carry inexpensive canvas and vinyl zippered money bags.

• Online retailers – Offer wider selection of sizes, materials, and features.

• Bank equipment vendors – Sell the same money bags used inside banks.

I recommend buying from bank equipment retailers if you want true commercial-grade bags. Here are some top vendors to check out:

• Prosource Packaging
• My Office Innovations
• American Security Products Co.
• Money Bags Supply Co.
• AFEX Money Bags

Types of Money Bags and Their Uses

Money bags come in many styles designed for specific uses:

Teller Bags

• Typically 8" x 5" x 2" in size
• Made of cut-proof, slash-resistant materials
• Used to transport cash from drawers to vaults

Deposit Bags

• Medium to large capacity (8"x10" up to 18"x24")
• Durable vinyl or ballistic nylon material
• Securely transport bank deposits

Coin Bags

• Made of heavy canvas material
• Clear panel lets contents be viewed
• Ribbed or mesh bottom helps bags stand upright

Messenger/Shoulder Bags

• Worn by security personnel transporting money
• Adjustable shoulder strap for hands-free carrying
• Oversized capacity with reinforced bottoms

Payment Bags

• Clear panel to view contents
• Interior divider pockets organize checks and documents
• Ideal for transporting paper payments

Key Materials Used in Money Bags

Money bags need to stand up to years of daily use, abrasion, and even attempted theft and robbery. Here are the prime materials used:

Vinyl

• Waterproof and stain resistant
• Wipes clean easily
• Less prone to rot and mildew than canvas

Ballistic Nylon

• Abrasion-resistant synthetic fiber weave
• High tensile strength
• Originally developed for flak jackets

Canvas

• Made of dense, sturdy cotton
• Naturally water-repellent yet breathable

Aluminum/Stainless Steel

• Slashproof metal mesh construction
• Structurally rigid
• Completely weather and water-resistant

Advanced money bag materials make them extremely puncture, tear, and cut resistant while remaining flexible and lightweight.

Security Features to Look For

To keep your money and belongings safe, opt for money bags with features like:

• Reinforced zipper closures – With dual zippers or heavy duty chains for resistance to tears.

• Combination lock – Pick 3 or 4 wheel combination locks for keyed security.

• Key lock – Requires matching physical key to open bag.

• Tamper-evident seal – Clear adhesive seals that visibly split open if bag is accessed.

• RFID blocking – Stops remote scanning of chips/RFIDs inside the bag.

• Alarm – Loud 95+ db alarm emits if bag is moved or opened.

• Color dye packs – Explode staining contents if improperly opened. Used in transit bags.

Money Bag Users Span Many Industries

Any business or institution handling significant amounts of currency has a need for money bags:

• Banks – Transport deposits between branches and central vaults.

• Retail/food service – Safely handle point of sale cash and bank deposits.

• Casinos – Move chips, tickets, and cash around gaming floors.

• Jewelers – Discreetly transport high-value gems and metals.

• Government – Handle tax payments and currency shipments.

• Hotels – Store front desk cash deposits.

• Parking garages – Collect and transport cash from pay stations.

• Hospitals – Transport insurance and patient cash payments.

Money Bag Sizes Range from Palm-Sized to Massive

Money bag sizes cover a wide spectrum based on their intended contents:

Size	Typical Uses
4" x 6"	Transport bill straps, convenience store deposits
8" x 10"	Standard retail/food service deposits
12" x 15"	Large cash transports between bank locations
18" x 24"	Massive coin and currency shipments

I‘d recommend sizing up if between standard sizes to allow room for potential future needs.

Customized Money Bags for Branding

Many vendors offer custom-printed money bags that can:

• Display your company logo and colors

• Include your brand taglines or messages

• Provide contact information like website and phone number

These are popular giveaways at conferences, client meetings, and charity events. They provide useful branded items that recipients will see every time they use the bag.

What Belongs Inside a Money Bag?

Money bag contents can include:

• Paper currency and coins
• Cash register receipts and sales reports
• Loan applications or cash advance agreements
• Certificates, stock certificates, bonds
• External hard drives, laptops, tablets
• Sensitive documents like contracts
• Valuables like jewelry, concert tickets

Avoid overstuffing bags – leave some room for items to move around inside.

Purchasing Tips for Selecting Money Bags

Here are my top tips for picking out the perfect money bags:

• Focus on durable vinyl or ballistic nylon over basic canvas

• Make sure zipper closures are reinforced or have secondary locks

• Pick bags sized specifically for cash transport (usually state this purpose on the product description)

• Opt for styles with shoulder straps if you‘ll be physically carrying the bags

• Choose between combination or key locks based on your preferences

• Select bags with RFID-blocking if carrying electronics or ID cards

• Buy from reputable bank equipment suppliers for commercial-grade quality

• Pick muted colored bags – black, brown, gray, navy, forest green – to avoid drawing attention

Now that you‘re a money bag expert, get out there and find the ideal bags to meet your currency transportation and storage needs! Don‘t hesitate to contact me if you have any other money bag questions arise.