We describe a convenient and practical method for the deprotection of N-benzyloxycarbonyl (Cbz) and benzyl ester groups using NaBH4 and catalytic Pd–C in methanol. Deprotection was very facile and rapid. In situ generation of hydrogen is certainly user friendly and avoids the use of a hydrogen cylinder. In order to establish the wider applicability of this approach, deprotection has also been demonstrated in gram scale reactions.