The invention relates to an apparatus for depositing loose sheet material, in particular papers of value, bank notes, etc., having a transport apparatus (2) for transporting the sheet material (1) and a stacking unit (3) for depositing the bank notes (1) in a deposit device as well as a strapping unit (7). In such deposit apparatuses it is usual to provide special deposit devices for depositing loose and strapped sheet material, said devices consequently not being interchangeable.It is therefore the problem of the invention to state an apparatus and method for providing a flexible possibility of depositing sheet material. This is obtained by using a deposit device which is suitable for optionally depositing loose and/or strapped sheet material (1).