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

Closeup of a check and a pen

When a check clears, it 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 “clear” 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 article, 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.

See below for more about exact bank policies.

What Is a Business Day?

Most (if not all) of the policies regarding check holds are based on “business days.” 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.

Perhaps 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 its 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 below.

Also, it’s important to note that nearly every bank’s policies include 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 if your account is new or you have repeated overdraft activity. Banks can 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.

Wait Times by Bank

The table below lists the typical time it takes for a deposited check to clear at more than 50 of the most common banks and credit unions.

Keep in mind that the average check-clearing time may vary for large deposits, or if there are any issues with processing that particular check.

Wherever possible, we’ve linked to the most relevant page on the bank’s website. If the check clearing times were not disclosed online, we contacted the bank’s customer service department to confirm.

Bank/Credit Union Check Clearing/Deposit Time
Alaska USA Credit UnionSame business day; $200 the first day if a hold is placed (two days for the remainder)
Alliant Credit UnionSame business day (cutoff times as early as 2 p.m.)
Ally Bank$200 the next business day; second day for the remainder
America First Credit UnionNext business day
American Savings BankSame day for deposits before 4 p.m.; next business day otherwise
Bank of AmericaSame day for deposits before 8 p.m.
Bank of the WestNext business day
BB&TSame day for deposits made on a business day; next business day otherwise
Capital OneNext business day (cutoff times as early as 2 p.m.)
Charles SchwabSame day for in-branch deposits
CitibankTypically the next business day
Citizens BankNext business day
City National Corp Next business day
Discover BankNext business day for the first $200; second business day for the remainder
ESL Federal Credit UnionNext business day for the first $200
E*TradeFourth business day
Fifth Third BankFirst $100 available immediately; next business day for the remainder
FirstMerit BankNext business day for the first $200; second business day for the remainder
First Technology Credit UnionTypically the same business day
Golden 1 Credit UnionTypically the same business day
Happy State Bank Varies
HSBCNext business day for the first $200; second business day for the remainder
Hudson Valley Credit UnionSame day for the first $200; second business day for the remainder
Huntington BankNext business day
JPMorgan ChaseNext business day
KeyBankNext business day
Mountain America Credit UnionSame business day; $200 the first day if a hold is placed (two days for the remainder)
M&T BankVaries
Navy Federal Credit UnionSame day for the first $200; next business day for the remainder
PenFed Credit UnionImmediately for most checks; $200 available immediately for checks with a hold (second business day for the remainder)
PNC BankFirst $100 available immediately; second business day for the remainder
Randolph-Brooks Credit UnionTypically the same business day
Regions FinancialNext business day
San Diego County Credit UnionSame business day (next day if there is a hold)
Santander BankNext business day for the first $200; second business day for the remainder
SchoolsFirst Credit UnionTypically the same business day
Security Service Federal Credit UnionNext business day
Star One Credit UnionNext business day for first $200 (remainder is typically available at the same time)
State Employees Credit UnionTypically the same business day (cutoff times as early as noon to 5:30 p.m.)
State Street Bank Not disclosed
Suncoast Credit UnionImmediately (same business day for the first $200 if a hold is placed)
SunTrust BankNext business day (cutoff times as early as 2 p.m.)
Synovus Financial CorpNext business day
TD BankNext business day
Union Bank Next business day (cutoff times as early as 1 p.m.)
United Nations Federal Credit UnionSame business day for the first $200; second business day for the remainder
U.S. BankImmediately for the first $200; next business day for the remainder (cutoff times as early as 2 p.m.)
Vystar Credit UnionTypically the same business day
Wells FargoTypically the same business day; next business day for the first $200 if a hold is palced
Wings Credit Union Immediately for the first $100; second business day for the remainder
Zion's First National BankNext business day

You can see our related articles for more information on ATM withdrawal limits and the direct deposit times at all major banks.


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2 comments - Comments are closed.


  • Knovel Wright

    I deposited a check made out to me and capital one auto sign it the check came from northern trust bank how does it take to clear in my account

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