Simple Answers About Safe Deposit Boxes
What banks, hotels, and casinos need to know, explained in clear, practical terms.
Watch Jeff from Safe & Vault Store walk through how safe deposit boxes work and where they’re used.
You’ve seen them behind the counter. Maybe a customer asked if you had one. Safe deposit boxes are a steady way to protect what matters. You’ll find them in banks, casinos, hotels, and motels. Below, we break down what they are, how they work, the latest options, and how to choose the right setup for your space.
Safe deposit boxes hold valuables and documents in a locked, organized space. They’re built to be secure and simple. Boxes can be labeled and come in several configurations, but they’re all 24 inches deep unless you want a custom option in a different depth. Inside, you’ll see sliding trays (bond boxes) or open compartments for neat storage. Security is provided by two types of keys: guard (manager) keys and user (customer) keys. Units can sit on a stand, be cabinet- or wall-mounted, and an optional base can lift them off the floor.
Why these safe deposit boxes still matter
Physical security is still the simplest answer for certain items: a deed, a will, small heirlooms, or original photos. Offering secure boxes builds trust and gives your customers a clear, repeatable process for access.
Safe deposit boxes are used in banks, casinos, hotels, and motels. That range shows how flexible they are. A bank may safeguard documents and valuables. A casino may support VIP guests who carry chips or cash. A hotel may offer storage for travelers. The common thread is confidence and convenience.
Why some banks offer fewer boxes and who is stepping in
Quick insight
Many large banks have reduced or removed safe deposit box services. Customers often move valuables into home safes. That shift creates space for smaller banks, credit unions, hotels, and casinos to reintroduce secure, managed storage as a premium amenity.
Fewer big-bank offerings do not mean lower demand. It means the service has moved. Hospitality and gaming properties now use boxes as a trust signal and a revenue driver. Community banks and credit unions use them to stand out with personal service. If you manage a property that values guest confidence or branch loyalty, boxes can fill that gap.
Size and the inside story
Boxes come in many different configurations in a narrow or wide style, but they’re always 24 inches deep. Twenty-four inches is two feet, think two rulers end to end. That depth allows for the best use of the space. Internally, sliding trays pull out like a tidy file drawer. Clear labels speed up pickup and service.
Units can also be fixed to each other to build stable banks of boxes that use space efficiently and improve tamper resistance.
Locks that share responsibility: guard and user keys
Each box uses a guard key held by staff (manager) and two user (customer) keys issued to the renter. In many systems, both keys are required to open a box. This shared control reduces risk from misplaced keys or unauthorized access and creates a consistent, auditable process.
Combined with ID checks and a clear opening routine, the process protects both the business and the customer without slowing service.
Useful accessories and upgrades
Traditional guard and renter keys are still the most common. Many facilities now add upgrades that improve accountability and ease of use:
- Label and numbering kits: faster identification and cleaner service counters.
- Removable inner bond boxes: small inner containers for items that need extra separation.
- Lighting and visibility aids: LED strips or brighter interiors for quicker interaction.
If you manage high-traffic areas or VIP programs, electronic logs and tighter key control can reduce disputes and training time.
Where and how to put them: installation options
Boxes can sit on a stand, live in a cabinet, or be mounted on a wall. An optional base lifts the whole unit off the floor for easier reach and cleaning. Choose what fits your room and your customers.
- Stand (pedestal): reduces bending and improves accessibility.
- Cabinet banks: group multiple boxes in a neat footprint.
- Wall-mounted: saves floor space in tight rooms.
- Optional 3" base: keeps boxes off wet floors and raises the open height.
Consider traffic patterns, ADA access, and line-of-sight from staff areas for security and service speed.
Beyond banks: industries we serve
- Hotels and motels: guest valuables, passports, small electronics.
- Casinos: winnings, chips, documents, VIP amenities.
- Credit unions and community banks: member service and local trust builders.
- Property managers and offices: keys, contracts, small assets.
- Healthcare and specialty facilities: sensitive items that need controlled access.
The same 24-inch-deep modular systems fit these environments, with lock options and labels that match your process.
Casino use cases
Casinos handle cash and chips daily. Safe deposit boxes give players and guests a private, secure place to store high-value items between sessions. For the property, boxes reduce theft risk on the floor, simplify guest requests, and add a premium service for VIP programs.
- Secure storage for winnings, chips, cash, and personal valuables.
- Private, staff-assisted access with guard and user keys.
- Optional electronic logs and key control for audit clarity.
- An amenity that signals trust and high-touch service.
Picking the right setup for your branch (advice for Jordan)
Meet Jordan, a branch manager who wants security that is easy to use. Here is a short checklist to guide the decision:
- Match size to need. Count common requests. Mix different opening sizes (for example: 10 - 3" x 5" Openings) depending on needs. Depth is always 24 inches.
- Balance security and access. Decide when both keys are required. Train staff on ID checks and the steps involved.
- Think about placement and ergonomics. A stand or base can prevent bending. Use wall mounts in tight rooms.
- Use internal organization. Show customers how trays slide and how small compartments lock.
- Consider modern options. Electronic logs, better key control, and clear labels speed service and reduce disputes.
- Plan for basic service. Set a simple check routine for locks, hinges, labels, and mounts.
A quick example
A customer brings family documents. Jordan guides them to a box with sliding trays (bond boxes). The tray (bond box) pulls out like a file drawer. The customer places important family documents, valuable jewelry, and some collectibles inside. With the guard key and the customer key, opening is calm and quick. The items are secure, and the visit is simple.
Small moves, big trust: your next step
As large banks scale back, other sectors are reintroducing secure storage as a premium amenity. The combination of standard depth, flexible sizes, sliding trays, and shared-key control provides dependable protection in banks, casinos, hotels, and motels.
5-minute checklist
- Check sizes on hand, do they fit the most common requests?
- Walk through the guard-key plus customer-key routine.
- Test a box’s sliding tray and small inner compartments.
- Decide if a stand or base improves reach and cleaning.
- Label clearly for faster service and fewer mistakes..
Ready to add secure storage to your business?
Safe deposit boxes are an affordable way to offer customers peace of mind, and an easy way to add long-term value to your property.
Request a Quote
Frequently Asked Questions
Are safe deposit boxes still used in banks?
Yes, but many large banks have reduced or phased out their programs. Smaller banks and credit unions still offer them as a way to build customer trust and provide secure physical storage for valuables and documents.
What types of businesses use safe deposit boxes today?
Beyond banks, they’re used in hotels, casinos, credit unions, property management offices, and medical facilities. These industries value physical security and customer confidence, especially for high-value or sensitive items.
What are the standard sizes for safe deposit boxes?
Safe deposit boxes come in a range of configurations, but almost all are 24 inches deep. That’s enough to fit folders, small jewelry boxes, and small valuables while keeping storage space efficient.
How do guard and user keys work?
Each box uses two keys. The guard key is held by staff, and the user key belongs to the customer. Both keys must be used together to open the box, which adds a layer of protection and accountability.
Can safe deposit boxes be installed in existing spaces?
Absolutely. They can be wall-mounted, placed in cabinets, or installed on a raised base. Modular construction allows you to add sections or adjust configurations as your needs grow. Just make sure to measure your space to make sure they will fit.
DOMINIC SCHWEBS
Connect with Dominic Schwebs:
SafeandVaultStore.com
Direct line 509-321-8792
Business line (800) 207-2259 101
dschwebs@safeandvaultstore.com
Connect with Dominic Schwebs
Dominic excels at delivering expert advice in an engaging and approachable style, whether he's taking the mic as a podcast speaker, contributing as a guest blogger, or infusing energy into webinars. With a deep understanding of safe and vault products for both residential and commercial applications, Dominic is a go-to authority.
Journalists seeking to enhance their content with credible expertise can rely on Dominic to provide valuable insights.
BIOGRAPHY
Dominic Schwebs, a home safety and security expert with over 15 years of experience, is the Digital Marketing and E-Commerce Manager of the Safe and Vault Store. He thoroughly understands the art of building brand awareness and skillful product marketing using the power of social media, crafting informative and hot-topic blogs, producing podcasts, hugely popular YouTube videos, and more. Driven by the desire to provide the ultimate user experience, he has built safeandvaultstore.com into a top-selling, nationally recognized e-commerce site. Dominic is tireless in his pursuit of creatively expanding content and generously shares his knowledge across multiple platforms.
