The short answer
- Next business day: the first $275 of your check deposits that day, plus cash, direct deposit, US Treasury checks, and cashier's, certified or government checks deposited in person.
- Second business day: the rest of an ordinary personal or business check.
- Up to about 7 business days: when the bank places an “exception hold” (big deposit, redeposited check, repeated overdrafts, or doubts about the check).
- New accounts (first 30 days): special rules; ordinary checks have no federal deadline at all.
These are the maximum times allowed by Regulation CC, the federal rule that implements the Expedited Funds Availability Act. Many banks release money faster. See check clearing times by bank below for what Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and 20+ other banks actually publish.
“Available” is not the same as “cleared”
When people ask how long a check takes to clear, they usually mean “when can I spend the money?” That is the funds availability date, and it is what the law controls. Whether the check is actually paid by the writer's bank can take longer. If a check bounces after you've spent the money, the bank can take it back from your account. The FTC warns that while banks must make deposited funds available quickly, a fake check can take weeks to be discovered. Don't send money back to someone who “overpaid” you by check.
Federal check hold rules (Regulation CC), 2026
The dollar amounts below were adjusted for inflation on July 1, 2025 and apply for five years. Older articles (and some bank pages) still show the previous $225 and $5,525 figures.
| Deposit type | Latest availability under federal rules |
|---|---|
| Cash deposited in person to a teller | Next business day |
| Direct deposit, wire, other electronic payments | Next business day after the bank receives it |
| US Treasury check (e.g. tax refund), into the payee's account | Next business day |
| Cashier's, certified or teller's check, in person (bank may require a special deposit slip) | Next business day |
| State or local government check, in person, in the same state | Next business day |
| USPS money order, in person | Next business day |
| Check drawn on the same bank (same state or region), at a branch | Next business day |
| The first $275 of other check deposits that day | Next business day |
| The special checks above when not deposited in person (ATM, mail, often mobile) | Second business day |
| Ordinary personal, business and payroll checks (local) | Second business day |
| Any deposit at an ATM the bank doesn't own (non-proprietary ATM) | Fifth business day |
| Cash withdrawals from second-day funds | Bank may wait one more business day, but must allow $550 by 5:00 p.m. |
Source: 12 CFR 229.10, 229.12 and the CFPB/Federal Reserve threshold adjustment (links at the bottom). “Business day” means Monday–Friday except federal holidays.
Cutoff times, weekends and holidays
The clock starts on the banking day your deposit is received. Federal rules let a bank treat a deposit as made the next banking day if it arrives after the bank's cutoff, which can be no earlier than 2:00 p.m. at a branch, or 12:00 noon at an ATM or off-site location. Many banks use later cutoffs, especially for mobile deposits (see the bank pages). Weekends and federal holidays don't count.
Example
- You deposit a $1,000 personal check on Monday at 1 p.m. (before cutoff): $275 by Tuesday, the remaining $725 by Wednesday.
- Same check on Friday at 9 p.m.: it counts as Monday's deposit, so $275 Tuesday and the rest Wednesday.
- Friday before a Monday holiday: it counts as Tuesday, so $275 Wednesday and the rest Thursday.
Exception holds: when it can take up to ~7 business days
A bank can hold a check longer than the normal schedule in these cases (12 CFR 229.13):
- Large deposits: the portion of your check deposits over $6,725 in one banking day (the bank can add up deposits across all your accounts).
- Redeposited checks: a check that already bounced once.
- Repeated overdrafts: your account was negative on 6 or more banking days in the last 6 months, or negative by $6,725 or more on 2 or more days. This can apply for 6 months.
- Reasonable cause to doubt the check: the bank must have specific facts, not just the type of check or customer, and must tell you the reason.
- Emergencies: computer outages, war, a bank suspending payments and similar events.
The extra time must be “reasonable”, which the rule defines as up to 5 more business days for an ordinary local check. That's how you get to roughly 7 business days in total. The bank must give you a written hold notice saying how much is held, why, and when it will be available.
New accounts vs. older accounts
An account is “new” for its first 30 calendar days. It is not new if every owner has had another account at the same bank for at least 30 days. During those 30 days:
- Cash and electronic deposits still get next-business-day availability.
- Treasury, government, cashier's, certified, teller's and traveler's checks: the first $6,725 per day follows the normal next-day rule; anything above must be available by the 9th business day.
- Ordinary personal and business checks have no federal deadline. The bank's own new-account policy decides, so this is where banks differ most.
Once the account is older than 30 days, the normal 1–2 business day schedule applies (unless an exception above kicks in).
Mobile deposit vs. branch vs. ATM
- Branch (teller): fastest for special checks. Cashier's, certified and government checks get next-day availability only when deposited in person.
- Your bank's own ATM: treated much like a branch deposit for ordinary checks, but the cutoff can be earlier.
- Someone else's ATM: can take until the 5th business day.
- Mobile app: the CFPB notes your bank may have a different timetable for mobile check deposits, so check its mobile deposit terms. Mobile deposits also have daily dollar limits.
Personal vs. business vs. government vs. cashier's checks
- Personal and business checks (including payroll): $275 next day, rest by day 2 under the standard schedule.
- US Treasury checks: next business day, even by ATM or mobile at many banks (the law requires it when deposited into the payee's own account).
- State and local government checks: next day if deposited in person in the same state; otherwise day 2.
- Cashier's, certified and teller's checks: next day in person; day 2 otherwise. Fake cashier's checks are common in scams, so be careful with checks from strangers.
- Checks you print yourself: a correctly printed check on blank check stock, with a proper MICR line, is processed like any other personal or business check. See is it legal to print your own checks? and do you need MICR ink?
How to get your money faster
- Deposit before the cutoff on a business day. Mobile cutoffs are often later than branch cutoffs.
- Use a teller for cashier's, certified and government checks.
- Use your own bank's ATM, not an out-of-network one.
- Ask to be paid by direct deposit or another electronic payment: next business day by law, often same day.
- Check for instant availability. Some banks and apps offer immediate access to mobile check deposits for a fee.
- Keep your balance positive. Repeated overdrafts give the bank the right to hold your checks for 6 months.
- Call your bank if a hold seems wrong. They can release it early.
Check clearing times by bank
What each bank publishes in its own funds availability policy, deposit agreement or official FAQ. Tap a bank for the full details and sources.
| Bank | Standard availability | Mobile deposit cutoff | New accounts |
|---|---|---|---|
 Chase | Next business day; some holds to 2nd day | 11 p.m. ET | Most checks: up to 7th business day |
 Bank of America | Next business day; some holds to 2nd day | 9 p.m. ET (8 p.m. PT for western accounts) | Most checks: by 5th business day |
 Wells Fargo | First $400 same day; rest next business day | 9 p.m. PT | No same-day $400; holds up to 7th business day |
 Citi | Next business day; holds: $275 next day, rest 2nd | 10:30 p.m. ET | Most checks: 5th business day |
 Capital One | Generally next business day | 9 p.m. ET | Not published |
 U.S. Bank | First $275 immediately; rest next business day | 10 p.m. CT | Most checks: by 3rd business day (up to 7th) |
 PNC | Next business day; $100 usable evening of deposit | 10 p.m. ET | 2nd business day (first 30 days) |
 Truist | Next business day; some checks 2nd day ($275 first) | 9 p.m. ET | Up to 9 business days (first 30 days) |
 TD Bank | $100 same day; rest next business day | 8 p.m. ET | Rest by 3rd–4th business day (first 30 days) |
 Citizens | Next business day (Citizens checks same night) | 10 p.m. ET | Up to 5 business days (first 27 days) |
 Fifth Third | Next business day | 8 p.m. ET | Up to 9 business days (first 30 days) |
 KeyBank | $100 same day; rest next business day | 11 p.m. ET | Up to 9 business days (first 30 days) |
 Regions | Next business day; some holds to 2nd day | 8 p.m. CT | Most checks: 7th business day |
 M&T Bank | Branch checks typically next day (full schedule not public) | 10 p.m. ET | Not published |
 Huntington | First $500 same day; rest next business day | 11:59 p.m. CT | $500 next day; rest 2nd business day |
 Santander | $275 next business day; rest 2nd business day | 10 p.m. ET | Most checks: up to 9th business day |
 BMO | Next business day (branch/ATM) | 8 p.m. CT | Most checks: by 9th business day |
 Charles Schwab | Next business day; holds up to 5th | Not published | Most checks: 5th business day |
 Ally | $300 next business day; rest 2nd business day | 7:00 p.m. ET | Most checks: up to 5th business day (first 30 days) |
 Discover | $275 same day; next $6,450 day 2; rest day 5 | 6:30 p.m. ET | Mobile: up to 5th (may be 7th) business day |
 SoFi | Mobile only; generally by 5th business day | 4:00 p.m. ET | Not published |
 Chime | Mobile only; no later than 5 business days | 5:00 p.m. ET | Not published |
 Navy Federal | $275 next business day; rest 2nd business day | 6 p.m. ET | Most checks: up to 5th business day (first 30 days) |
 USAA | Next business day; some checks 2nd business day | 9 p.m. CT | Most checks: up to 15th business day (first 30 days) |
 Varo | Mobile only; generally before 7th business day | 4:00 p.m. MST | Not published |
Policies change. Information as of October 27, 2026, from each bank's own published documents. Always check your bank's current terms or the hold notice on your receipt. “Not published” means we couldn't find it in the bank's public documents.
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Write your first check free →Frequently asked questions
How long does it take for a check to clear?
For most checks deposited at a US bank, the first $275 is available the next business day and the rest by the second business day. Exception holds (large deposits over $6,725, redeposited checks, repeated overdrafts or doubts about the check) can extend that to about 7 business days. New accounts can take longer.
How long can a bank hold a check?
Under Regulation CC an ordinary local check must be available by the second business day. With an exception hold, a 'reasonable' extension is up to 5 more business days for local checks, so roughly 7 business days in total, and the bank must give you a written notice. A longer hold is possible only if the bank can justify it.
Do new bank accounts have longer check holds?
Yes. During the first 30 calendar days, federal law sets no deadline for ordinary personal or business checks; the bank's own policy applies. Government, cashier's and certified checks: the first $6,725 per day follows the next-day rule and the rest must be available by the 9th business day.
Why does a mobile check deposit take longer?
Mobile deposits are not deposited in person, so cashier's, certified and government checks lose their next-day in-person treatment, and the CFPB notes banks may use a different timetable for mobile deposits. Each bank publishes its own mobile deposit cutoff and availability.
Do checks clear on weekends?
No. Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays are not business days. A check deposited on Friday evening or the weekend usually counts as Monday's deposit.
What is the large deposit limit for check holds in 2026?
$6,725 per banking day, effective July 1, 2025. A bank may hold the portion of your check deposits over $6,725 longer than the normal schedule. Before July 2025 the amount was $5,525.
Can a check bounce after the money is available?
Yes. Funds availability is set by law, but the check can still be returned unpaid later, and the bank can take the money back. Fake checks can take weeks to be discovered, so don't send money back from a check deposit you aren't sure about.
Related guides
- Check clearing times by bank
- How to deposit a check with your phone
- How to write a check
- eCheck vs paper check
Sources
- 12 CFR 229.10 – Next-day availability (eCFR) · read Oct 27, 2026
- 12 CFR 229.12 – Availability schedule (eCFR) · read Oct 27, 2026
- 12 CFR 229.13 – Exceptions (eCFR) · read Oct 27, 2026
- 12 CFR 229.19 – When funds are considered deposited (eCFR) · read Oct 27, 2026
- CFPB – Regulation CC threshold adjustments (effective July 1, 2025) · read Oct 27, 2026
- Federal Reserve press release, May 13, 2024 – inflation-adjusted Regulation CC thresholds · read Oct 27, 2026
- CFPB – How long can a bank or credit union hold funds I deposited? · read Oct 27, 2026
- FTC – How to spot, avoid, and report fake check scams · read Oct 27, 2026
Last updated October 27, 2026. This page is general information, not legal or financial advice.
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