Chase Bank does not cash EE bonds directly, but you can deposit the proceeds into your Chase account once you cash them elsewhere

Chase Bank is not set up to redeem U.S. Savings Bonds, including Series EE bonds. The U.S. Department of the Treasury issues these bonds, and only certain financial institutions and the Treasury itself can cash them. If you hold EE bonds and want to convert them to cash, you will need to go through a different channel first, then move the money into your Chase account if you want it there.

The most straightforward way to cash an EE bond is through your bank's parent institution or directly through the Treasury. Many regional and national banks do offer bond redemption services, but Chase does not include this among its standard services. This does not mean you are stuck — it just means one extra step.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase Bank does not redeem EE bonds, but you can cash them at most other banks or through the U.S. Treasury website.
  • The Treasury's TreasuryDirect website lets you redeem EE bonds online if you hold them in an account there.
  • Many regional and community banks offer bond redemption services, and some credit unions do as well.
  • Once you receive the cash from redemption, you can deposit it into your Chase account through a transfer or in person.

Where to cash your EE bonds instead

If your EE bonds are held in a TreasuryDirect account (the Treasury's online platform), you can redeem them directly on the TreasuryDirect website without visiting a bank at all. Log in, navigate to your bonds, and request redemption. The money goes into the bank account linked to your TreasuryDirect profile within a few business days.

If you hold physical EE bond certificates or bonds in a different system, your best option is usually a bank other than Chase. Call ahead to confirm they offer bond redemption — most larger regional banks do, and many credit unions offer this service as well. You will need to bring the bonds themselves, your ID, and proof of Social Security number. The bank will verify the bonds are legitimate, confirm you are the registered owner, and issue you a check or deposit the funds directly into an account there.

The Federal Reserve Banks also redeem savings bonds, though you cannot walk into a local branch — you must mail the bonds to the Federal Reserve Bank that serves your region. This route takes longer but works if no local bank will help you.

How to move the cash into your Chase account

Once you have cashed the EE bonds at another bank or through TreasuryDirect, getting the money into Chase is straightforward. If the redemption happened at another bank and they issued a check, you can deposit that check into your Chase account using mobile check deposit (through the Chase Mobile app) or by visiting a Chase branch in person.

If the other bank deposited the funds into an account there, you can transfer the money to Chase using an external transfer. Log into your Chase account online, go to the transfer section, and add the other bank as an external account. Chase will verify the account with two small deposits, and once confirmed, you can move money between them. This usually takes one to two business days.

What you need to bring when cashing bonds at another bank

Banks that redeem savings bonds require specific documentation to verify you are the rightful owner and to process the transaction correctly. Bring the physical bond certificates if you have them, or documentation showing you own the bonds if they are held electronically. You will also need a government-issued ID such as a driver's license or passport.

If the bonds are registered to someone else but you have power of attorney or are an authorized representative, bring that legal document as well. Some banks may also ask for your Social Security number or a tax ID to verify your identity. Call the bank before you go to confirm what they need — requirements vary slightly between institutions.

Timing and what to expect

Redeeming EE bonds through TreasuryDirect is the fastest option and usually takes three to five business days from the time you request redemption. Redeeming at a bank that offers the service typically happens the same day or within one business day, though the bank may hold the funds for a few days before releasing them to you.

If you mail bonds to a Federal Reserve Bank, allow two to three weeks for processing and return of the funds. Once you have the money in hand or in an account, transferring it to Chase adds another one to two business days if you are moving it electronically.

Why Chase does not offer bond redemption

Chase, like most large national banks, has decided not to offer savings bond redemption as a service to customers. This is a business decision — the volume of bond redemptions does not justify the cost and complexity of maintaining the systems and training staff to handle them. Smaller regional banks and credit unions often do offer this service because their customer base may have higher concentrations of bond holders, or because they see it as a relationship-building service.

This does not reflect any limitation on your part or on Chase's ability to hold money. It is straightforward a service line that Chase has chosen not to provide. You are not locked into using Chase for this task — you can use any bank that offers redemption, then move the proceeds to Chase afterward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I redeem an EE bond that is registered to someone else?

Only if you have legal authority to do so. If you are the co-owner or have power of attorney, bring that documentation. If the bond is registered only to another person, they must redeem it themselves or sign a form authorizing you to act on their behalf. The bank will explain what paperwork they need.

What if my EE bond has not matured yet?

EE bonds can be redeemed at any time after one year, though you will lose the last three months of interest if you cash them before five years have passed. The bank or TreasuryDirect will calculate the current value and tell you what you will receive before the transaction is final.

Can I deposit a check from bond redemption into Chase using mobile deposit?

Yes. Take a photo of the front and back of the check using the Chase Mobile app, and the funds will be deposited into your account. Most checks clear within one to two business days, though Chase may hold the funds longer if the check amount is very large.

Do I have to pay taxes on the interest from my EE bonds?

Yes, but you have options on when to report it. You can report the interest in the year you redeem the bond, or you can report it annually while you hold the bond. Talk to a tax professional about which approach makes sense for your situation — the bank that redeems the bond will not handle the tax reporting.