Varo Bank, the US all-digital nationally chartered consumer bank, has launched fee-free cash deposits at more than 2,000 Kroger Family of Stores locations, giving customers a way to add physical cash to their digital accounts without the usual retail service charge.
The service is being delivered through Green Dot’s embedded finance platform and money processing network as part of a four-week pilot running until 18 August 2026. The initiative is supported by a joint marketing campaign targeting both existing Varo customers and prospective customers.
To make a deposit, customers create a unique barcode through the Varo app before taking their cash to a participating Kroger location. A member of staff then scans the barcode at either the checkout or customer service desk, allowing the money to be added directly to the customer’s Varo account.
The service removes the $4.95 retail cash service charge that would typically apply to the transaction, meaning customers can deposit cash without paying an additional fee.
The new option builds on Varo’s existing network of fee-free retail cash loading locations. The company said the service is intended to bring everyday banking into customers’ existing shopping routines, with the barcode cash loading option now available at participating Kroger checkout and customer service counters.
Varo Bank is a nationally chartered consumer technology bank focused on helping Americans build credit, save money and access faster payments, while Green Dot Corporation is a NYSE-listed FinTech platform and bank holding company providing banking and payment technology through businesses including GO2bank, the Green Dot Network, Arc by Green Dot, rapid! and Santa Barbara Tax Products Group.
Varo Bank CEO Gavin Michael said, “Nobody should have to pay a fee just to deposit their own money. Now that Varo customers can add cash fee-free at stores nationwide, they can take care of their banking right in the grocery line. With this new offering, we are making it as simple as possible for our customers to manage their cash where they already shop.”
Green Dot senior vice president and general manager, embedded finance, Renata Caine also commented, “Adding cash to your bank account should be as simple as buying groceries. Our money processing technology brings Varo’s fee-free digital cash add capabilities straight to checkout lanes nationwide, making everyday money management that much easier.”
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