A deposit is a specific sum of money taken and held on account, by a bank as a service provided for its clients. A financial institution wishing to take deposits are generally required be under financial supervision, and to hold a banking license.
The sum of the held deposits represents an asset, which the bank in turn can use to give loans.
A deposit is also money paid by someone who rents or lends a good, e.g. a car or a shopping cart. The money is returned when the good is returned, after deduction of any rent not paid yet, and compensation for small damage. Small deposits are sometimes required on beverage containers in order to promote recycling, a policy adopted in Oregon, among other U.S. states.