The depositum is the simplest form of bailments for the bailor's sole benefit, being a simple deposit of the goods for safekeeping.

An important species of the depositum at the present time is that of the special bank deposits. This kind of bailment arises where banks receive for deposit in their safe boxes or packages, containing the money or other valuables of favored individuals. The bank receives no compensation for this particular service; it has no right to use such deposits, and upon the demand of the depositor, must return the specific valuables in bulk as they were deposited. Such special deposits form no part of the bank's regular business, and no bank officer has any authority to bind the bank to such a bailment without the express or implied assent of the directors.8