Banks can hold a check for up to 10 business days, but most hold them for 1 to 5 days

The Expedited Funds Availability Act (EFAA), a federal law enforced by the Federal Reserve, sets the maximum time a bank can hold a check before making funds available to you. For most checks, that maximum is 10 business days. In practice, most banks release funds much faster—often the next business day for checks deposited in person at a branch, or within 2 to 5 business days for mobile deposits or ATM deposits.

The exact hold time depends on three things: how you deposited the check, the size of the check, and whether the check is from a local or out-of-state bank. A $100 check deposited at a branch teller window usually clears by the next business day. A $5,000 check deposited through a mobile app might take 5 business days. A check drawn on a bank in another state might take longer than one drawn on a local bank.

Banks are required to tell you when funds will be available. This information appears in your deposit receipt, in your account agreement, or on the bank's website. If a bank holds a check longer than the law allows without a valid reason, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or your state's banking regulator.

Key Takeaways

  • Federal law allows banks to hold most checks for up to 10 business days, but most banks release funds within 1 to 5 business days.
  • Checks deposited at a branch teller window usually clear faster than checks deposited by mobile app or ATM.
  • Banks must disclose their hold policies in writing, and you can request this information before you deposit a check.
  • If a bank holds a check longer than its stated policy without a valid reason, you can report it to the CFPB or your state banking regulator.
  • Holds on checks over $5,000 or checks from out-of-state banks may be longer, and banks can place additional holds if they have reason to suspect fraud.

What the law says about check holds

The Expedited Funds Availability Act requires banks to make funds from checks available within a specific timeframe. For local checks (drawn on banks in the same Federal Reserve region), the maximum hold is 2 business days. For out-of-state checks, the maximum is 10 business days. These are the outer limits—banks can and usually do release funds faster.

A business day is any day the bank is open for business, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. Weekends and holidays do not count. So if you deposit a check on a Friday, the hold period does not start until Monday, and a 2-business-day hold would mean funds are available by Wednesday.

Banks can place longer holds on certain types of checks without violating the law. These include checks over $5,000, checks from new accounts (less than 30 days old), checks that have been returned unpaid before, and checks the bank has reason to believe are fraudulent. Banks must notify you in writing if they place a hold longer than the standard timeframe, and they must tell you when the funds will be available.

How hold times differ by deposit method

The speed at which a check clears depends largely on how you deposit it. Checks deposited in person at a branch teller window usually clear the fastest—often by the next business day. The teller can verify the check when ready and begin processing it right away.

Checks deposited through an ATM take longer because the bank must retrieve the physical check from the machine and verify it before processing. Most banks hold ATM deposits for 2 to 5 business days.

Mobile check deposits (taking a photo of the check with your phone) typically take 3 to 5 business days. The bank must receive the image, verify it is readable, and confirm the check has not already been deposited elsewhere. Some banks offer faster mobile deposit for customers with longer account histories or higher balances.

Remote deposits made through a bank's website or app follow similar timelines to mobile deposits. The bank's stated policy will tell you the exact hold time for each method.

When banks can hold a check longer than usual

Banks have legal reasons to place holds longer than the standard timeframe. A check for more than $5,000 can be held longer because the bank needs time to verify the funds are actually in the account it is drawn on. A check deposited into a new account (opened within the last 30 days) can be held longer as a fraud prevention measure. A check that has been returned unpaid in the past can trigger a longer hold.

If the bank suspects fraud—for example, if the check amount is unusually large for your account, or if the check appears altered—it can place an extended hold and may investigate before releasing the funds. The bank must notify you in writing of the reason for the extended hold and the date funds will be available.

Some banks also place holds on checks from banks they do not have a direct relationship with, or from banks in states they consider higher-risk. These policies vary by bank and should be disclosed in your account agreement.

What to do if a bank holds a check too long

First, check your deposit receipt and your bank's written policy on check holds. The receipt should state when funds will be available. If the bank has not made the funds available by that date, contact the bank and ask why. There may be a legitimate reason—the check may not have cleared at the issuing bank, or the bank may have discovered a problem with the check.

If the bank cannot explain the hold, or if it exceeds the legal maximum without a valid reason, you can file a complaint. Contact your bank's customer service department in writing (email or letter) and describe the problem. Keep a copy of your deposit receipt and any written communication from the bank about the hold.

If the bank does not resolve the issue, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov, or with your state's banking regulator. The CFPB investigates complaints about check holds and can require banks to refund fees or interest you lost because of an improper hold.

How to avoid long check holds

Deposit checks in person at a branch teller window whenever possible. This is the fastest method and gives you the best chance of next-business-day availability. Ask the teller when the funds will be available before you leave.

For large checks, call your bank before depositing and ask about their hold policy for that amount. Some banks will waive or shorten a hold if you have a good account history or maintain a high balance.

If you need the money urgently, ask the person who wrote the check whether they can write a smaller check instead, or whether they can transfer the money electronically. A bank transfer or ACH payment clears much faster than a check and avoids holds entirely.

Keep your account in good standing. Banks are more likely to shorten holds for customers with long account histories, no overdrafts, and no returned checks. If you are new to a bank, expect longer holds until you build a track record.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a bank hold a check for more than 10 business days?

Only in rare circumstances. The standard maximum is 10 business days for out-of-state checks. If a bank holds a check longer than that, it must have documented reason to suspect fraud or a problem with the check itself. The bank must notify you in writing of the reason and the expected release date.

Does the hold time start the day I deposit the check or the next day?

It depends on when you deposit it. If you deposit a check before the bank's cutoff time (usually 2 p.m. on a business day), the hold period starts that day. If you deposit after the cutoff, it starts the next business day. Weekend and holiday deposits do not start the hold period until the next business day.

What is the difference between a check being held and a check bouncing?

A hold means the bank is waiting before releasing funds to you, but the check has not been processed yet. A bounce means the check was processed but there were not enough funds in the account it was drawn on. A bounced check is returned to you, and you do not receive the money. A held check will eventually clear and the money will be yours.

If my bank holds a check, can I use the money before the hold is released?

No. The funds are not available to you until the hold is released. If you withdraw money against a held check before it clears and the check bounces, you will overdraw your account and may face overdraft fees. Wait until the funds are actually available before spending the money.

Can I ask my bank to release a hold early?

Yes. Call your bank and explain why you need the funds sooner. Banks sometimes waive or shorten holds for customers with good account history, especially for smaller checks or checks from well-known banks. There is no harm in asking, but the bank is not required to agree.