A banknote handling apparatus 10 comprises a casing 12, an inlet 20 configured for inserting banknotes into the casing 12 from the exterior thereof, a plurality of storages 40 provided in a lower portion of the casing 12, in a substantially horizontal direction and in parallel relative to one another, and respectively adapted for storing therein the banknotes, and an escrow storage 42 juxtaposed with the respective storages 40 in the casing and adapted for escrowing therein the banknotes inserted into the casing 12 from the exterior thereof through the inlet 20. A transport unit 30 adapted for transporting the banknotes between any two of the inlet 20, respective storages 40 and escrow storage 42 is provided above the respective storages 40 and escrow storage 42 in the casing 12. In addition, a plurality of diverters 36 are provided at diversion points 35 in the transport unit 30 toward each of the storages 40 and escrow storage 42, respectively. Each diverter 36 is adapted for diverting the banknotes transported by the transport unit 30 into a specified storage 40 or escrow storage 42.