How Long Does It Take for a Check to Deposit/Clear? Answers by Bank

You’ve probably heard the expression plenty of times: “The check hasn’t cleared yet.” But what exactly does it mean for a check to clear, and where is your money in the meantime? How long does it take a check to deposit? How long does it take for check to clear? When you deposit a check, when are the funds available? In this article, we’ll address all of the questions you may have about when you can expect to see your money.

What Does It Mean When a Check Clears?

When a check clears, it essentially means that the money has been transferred from the account where it originated into your own account. The amount of time it takes for a check to clear depends largely on how long it takes for the banks to communicate, verify that the original account has the necessary funds, and process the transfer into your own account where you’ve deposited the check.

It’s important to note that different banks may use the term somewhat differently. Generally, if a bank employee tells you that a check has cleared, it means the funds are available for you to withdraw, even if they haven’t technically been debited from the originating account. For the purposes of this post, we’ll define a check as “cleared” when the funds are available for you to withdraw as cash or use with a debit card.

In most cases, a check will clear in two business days or less. Many banks will allow you to access up to $200 immediately when you deposit a check, as long as your account is in good standing. After the check has cleared, the full amount will be available for withdrawal.

What Is a “Business Day”?

You’ll notice that most, if not all, of the policies regarding check holds are based on a “business day.” Business days are almost universally defined as every day except Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays. However, the cutoff time for the business day may vary from one bank to another, or even among different branches or ATMs for the same bank. In some cases, the cutoff time may be as early as 2 p.m. at branch locations — sometimes even earlier for ATMs.

Let’s say that your bank typically makes funds available the same business day that a check is deposited. If you go into a branch of your bank to deposit a check at 3 p.m., but their cutoff time is 2 p.m., your check won’t be processed until the following day. The deposit date will be postponed until the next business day, and so will your funds.

If a bank has specified the cutoff time for branches or ATMs, we’ve included it in the list.

Longer Delays May Apply

What we’ve listed here are the general policies for each bank. However, it’s important to note that nearly every one of these policies also includes a “longer delays may apply” section. Essentially, the bank can decide to place a longer hold on your check than the standard policy. This can be due to a number of factors, such as a newly-opened account or repeated overdraft activity. The banks can more or less impose these additional holds at their discretion. In most cases, you can expect to be informed right away if an additional hold will be placed on your check deposit. A bank teller will often be able to tell you when the full funds will become available if the hold period falls outside the normal range.

50 Top Banks & Credit Unions Listed

We’ve provided a list of the typical time it takes for a check deposited at 50 of the most common banks and credit unions to clear. (See our article for information on ATM withdrawal limits.) Keep in mind that the average check-clearing time may vary for large deposits, or if there are any hangups or peculiarities about processing that particular check. We’ve provided a link to where we found this information on the bank’s website, so you can investigate further if you have more questions.

Alaska USA Credit Union

Funds are typically available on the same business day as the deposit. If a hold is placed on the check, the first $200 will become available on the first business day after the deposit. The remainder may be held for up to two additional business days. See Alaska USA’s Share Account Disclosure Statement for more information.

Alliant Credit Union

Funds will typically be available on the same business day that the deposit is made (cutoff time may be as early as 2 p.m.). See Alliant’s Disclosures page for more information.

Ally Bank

$200 available the next business day after the deposit; remaining funds available the second business day (up to $24,800). See Ally Bank’s Help Center page for more information.

America First Credit Union

Funds will typically be available one full business day after the deposit. See America First’s help search page for more information

American Savings Bank

Checks made before 4 p.m. will be deposited that day; deposits after 4 p.m. will be processed the following business day. Funds availability varies by account type.

Bank of America

With some exceptions, checks deposited on a business day by 8 p.m. will post on the same day except as noted on the face of the ATM.

Bank of the West

Funds will be available on the first business day after the business day that the deposit is made. (See Bank of the West’s Deposit Account Disclosure — here is a downloadable PDF)

BB&T Bank

If the deposit is made on a business day, funds will be made available the same day. If not, the funds will be available on the following business day.

Capital One

Typically funds are available the first business day after the deposit is made (the cutoff for the business day may be as early as 2 p.m. local time). See Capital One’s Rules Governing Deposit Accounts’ page for more information.

Charles Schwab

• Funds deposited in-branch are typically available the same day.

Citigroup Inc.

For Citigold members, check deposits are typically available no later than the business day after the business day of the deposit. Other accounts may vary.

Citizens Bank

Funds from a non-Citizens Bank check are available the next business day after the deposit (cutoff time is 10 p.m. for ATM deposits). See the Citizens Bank checking account page for more information.

City National Corp

Funds are available on the first business day after the deposit is made (information sourced by calling City National Corp’s corporate customer support).

Discover Bank

First $200 is available no later than the first business day after deposit; the remainder will be available the second business day after deposit. See Discover Bank’s National Deposit Account Agreement for more information.

ESL Federal Credit Union

Varies based on banking history. At minimum, the first $200 is typically available on the business day of the deposit. When making a deposit, customers will be informed when the full funds will become available. See ESL’s Funds Availability Policy for more information.

E*Trade

Full funds will be available on the fourth business day after the day of deposit. See E*Trade’s FAQs page for more information.

Fifth Third Bank

First $100 available immediately; the remainder will be available the following business day. See Fifth Third’s Checking Disclosures document for more information.

FirstMerit Bank

First $200 available the same business day as deposit; the remainder will be available the following business day. See FirstMerit’s Funds Availability Policy for more information.

First Technology Credit Union

Funds are typically available the same business day as the deposit. If there will be a longer hold on the funds, customers will be notified at the time of the deposit. See First Technology’s Funds Availability Policy Disclosure for more information.

The Golden 1 Credit Union

Funds are typically made available the same day as the deposit. See The Golden 1’s Disclosure of Account Information document for more information.

Happy State Bank

Not disclosed online; contact customer service about their Funds Availability Policy for more information.

HSBC Bank

First $200 will be available on the first business day after deposit; remainder will be available on the second business day after deposit.

Hudson Valley Credit Union

For most checks, the first $200 will be available immediately, and the remainder will be available the second business day after the deposit. See Hudson Valley’s Disclosure and Account Agreement for more information.

Huntington Bank

Check deposits are typically available the next business day after the deposit. See Huntington’s Funds Availability Policy for more information.

IMB Bank

Could take up to seven business days. Contact customer service for additional information.

JP Morgan Chase & Co.

Funds are typically available the next business day after the deposit.

KeyBank

The first business day after the deposit.

Mountain America Credit Union

Generally, funds will be available the same day as the deposit. If a hold is placed, $200 will be available the following business day and the remainder will be available within two business days. Customers will be informed if there is a hold on a deposited check.

M&T Bank

Varies by account type. New accounts may be subject to longer holds.

Navy Federal Credit Union

The first $200 will be available on or before the first business day after the deposit. The remaining amount will be available the second business day.

PenFed Credit Union

Many types of checks have no hold and the funds will be available immediately. (The link will download as a PDF.) For checks with a hold, $200 will be immediately available, and the remainder will have a two business day hold.

PNC Bank

First $100 is available the same business day as the deposit; the remainder is available on the second business day after the deposit.

Randolph-Brooks Credit Union

Funds are typically available the same business day as the deposit.

Regions Financial

Funds are typically available on the first business day after the day the deposit is made.

San Diego County Credit Union

In most cases, funds will be available the same business day as the deposit. If a hold is placed, the funds will be available by the second business day after the deposit.

Santander Bank

First $200 is available on the first business day after the deposit is made; the remainder will be available no later than the second business day after the deposit.

SchoolsFirst Credit Union

Generally, funds will be available the same business day as the deposit.

Security Service Federal Credit Union

Funds will typically be available on the first business day after the deposit is made.

Star One Credit Union

First $200 will be available on the first business day after the deposit. If the full funds will not be available on the first business day, customers will be notified at the time of deposit when the rest of their funds will become available.

State Employees Credit Union

Funds will typically be available on the same business day as the deposit (cutoff for the business day is 5:30 p.m. at branch locations and may be as early as noon at ATMs).

State Street Bank

Not disclosed online. Contact customer service about their funds availability policy for further information.

Suncoast Credit Union

Funds will typically be available immediately. If a hold is placed on the check, the first $200 will be available on the same business day as the deposit.

SunTrust Bank

Funds are typically available on the next business day after the deposit (cutoff for the business day may be as early as 2 p.m. at some branch locations).

Synovus Financial Corp

Funds are typically available on the next business day after the day of the deposit.

TD Bank

Funds are typically available no later than the first business day after the day of the deposit.

Union Bank

Funds will typically be available on the first business day after the business day of the deposit (cutoff for the business day may be as early as 1 p.m. at some ATMs).

United Nations Federal Credit Union

The first $200 will be available on the same business day and the remainder will be available on the second business day after the day of deposit. See UNFCU’s Membership Disclosures document (link will download as PDF) for more information.

U.S. Bank

First $200 is generally available immediately. The remainder is available no later than the first business day after the day of deposit (cutoff for the business day may be as early as 2 p.m.).

Vystar Credit Union

Funds are typically available on the same business day as the deposit, depending on the type of check. The first $200 is almost always available on the day of deposit.

Wells Fargo

In most cases, the funds will be available on the same business day as the deposit. If a hold is placed on the check, the first $200 will be made available the following business day. In case of a hold, the customer will be notified at the time of the deposit when the full funds will become available.

Wings Credit Union

First $100 will be available immediately; the remainder will typically be available on the second business day after the deposit.

Zion’s First National Bank

Funds will typically be available on the first business day after the deposit.

In Summary

As you can see, the rules surrounding when a check will clear can vary quite a bit from one bank to another. This can be critical information if you need to use the funds from a check to cover rent, a car payment, or another important time-sensitive bill. Hopefully, this post has armed you with the knowledge to visit your local ATM or bank knowing exactly when you’ll see the money in your account.

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