Bank of America holds most deposits for one to five business days

When you deposit a check or transfer money into your Bank of America account, the bank does not make all of it available right away. A hold is a temporary delay before funds show up as spendable. How long the hold lasts depends on what kind of deposit you made, how much it is, and whether you are a new customer.

Bank of America's standard hold for checks is one business day for deposits made at an ATM or through the mobile app, and up to five business days for checks deposited in person at a branch. If you deposit a check from another Bank of America account, the hold is typically one business day. Transfers from outside banks (ACH transfers) usually clear in one to two business days, though some take longer depending on the sending bank.

The bank can extend a hold beyond the standard time if the check is large, if you are a new customer, if the check is from an out-of-state bank, or if there is a reason to suspect fraud. Bank of America will notify you if they place an extended hold and tell you when the funds will be available.

Key Takeaways

  • Mobile app and ATM check deposits usually clear in one business day; in-person branch deposits can take up to five business days.
  • ACH transfers from other banks typically take one to two business days, depending on the sending institution.
  • Bank of America can hold funds longer if the deposit is large, you are new to the bank, or the check raises fraud concerns.
  • You can see your available balance (money you can spend now) separately from your current balance (which includes pending deposits) in your account.
  • Wire transfers sent from Bank of America usually arrive the same business day if sent before the cutoff time, typically 2 p.m. ET.

Why Bank of America places holds on deposits

A hold protects the bank from losses if a check bounces or a transfer is reversed after the money has already left your account. When you deposit a check, Bank of America does not receive the actual funds immediately—it takes time for the check to move through the banking system and for the issuing bank to confirm the money is there. During that window, the bank is at risk if the check turns out to be fraudulent or if the account it was drawn from does not have enough money.

Bank of America also uses holds to manage fraud. If a deposit looks unusual—a very large check from an unfamiliar source, a check from a bank in a different state, or a deposit pattern that does not match your account history—the bank may hold the funds longer while they verify the deposit is legitimate.

New customers face longer holds because the bank has less history with you and cannot yet predict your normal deposit patterns. If you have been with Bank of America for several months and your deposits are consistent, holds tend to be shorter.

The difference between available balance and current balance

Your available balance is the money you can actually spend or withdraw right now. Your current balance includes deposits that are still on hold. Bank of America shows both numbers in your account so you know which money is truly yours to use.

This distinction matters because you can overdraft your account if you spend money that is only in your current balance, not your available balance. If your current balance is $500 but your available balance is $100 (because $400 is on hold), and you spend $300, you will overdraft by $200. Bank of America will charge you an overdraft fee, usually $35 per transaction.

You can see both balances by logging into your Bank of America account online or through the mobile app. The app typically shows available balance first and more prominently, with current balance listed separately below it.

How to speed up a deposit at Bank of America

You cannot remove a hold once Bank of America has placed it, but you can choose deposit methods that have shorter holds. Mobile app and ATM check deposits clear faster than in-person deposits because they are processed more quickly through the system.

If you need money urgently, ask the person sending you money to use a wire transfer instead of a check or ACH transfer. A wire transfer sent from another bank to your Bank of America account usually arrives the same business day if sent before 2 p.m. ET. Wire transfers cost money (usually $15 to $25), but they are the fastest way to move funds between banks.

Another option is to deposit checks from other Bank of America accounts in person at a branch. These clear in one business day instead of up to five. If you regularly receive checks from the same source, ask whether they can send an ACH transfer instead, which typically clears in one to two business days and has no hold at all once it arrives.

What happens if a check bounces after the hold expires

If you spend money from a deposited check and the check later bounces (the issuing bank refuses to pay it), Bank of America will reverse the deposit and deduct the amount from your account. This can happen days or even weeks after you deposited the check, even though the hold has expired and you thought the money was yours.

When a check bounces, Bank of America charges you a returned check fee, usually $12 to $15. The person who wrote the check may also face fees from their own bank. If the check was for a bill payment or a loan, bouncing it can damage your credit and result in late fees from the creditor.

To protect yourself, do not spend money from a large or unfamiliar check until you are certain it has cleared. If you are unsure, contact Bank of America and ask them to confirm the check has been paid by the issuing bank, not just that the hold has expired.

Bank of America holds on wire transfers and ACH payments you send

When you send money out of your Bank of America account, the rules are different. Wire transfers sent from Bank of America are usually processed the same business day if you send them before 2 p.m. ET on a weekday. The receiving bank may take an additional day to credit the funds to the recipient's account, depending on their own processing times.

ACH transfers you initiate from Bank of America typically leave your account within one to two business days. Once the money leaves Bank of America, it is in the hands of the receiving bank, which may take another day or two to deposit it into the recipient's account. The total time from when you send an ACH transfer to when the recipient sees it is usually three to five business days.

If you send money to the wrong account or change your mind, you may be able to cancel an ACH transfer if you act quickly—usually within one business day of initiating it. Wire transfers cannot be cancelled once they are sent. Contact Bank of America immediately if you need to stop a transfer.

What to do if Bank of America places an extended hold

If Bank of America holds your deposit longer than the standard time, they must notify you in writing or through your account. The notice will tell you why the hold was placed and when the funds will be available. Common reasons for extended holds include a deposit over $5,000, a check from an out-of-state bank, a new account, or suspected fraud.

If you believe the hold is a mistake or if you need the money urgently, contact Bank of America customer service. You can call the number on the back of your debit card or visit a branch in person. Bring the check or transfer confirmation with you. The bank may be able to release the hold early if they can verify the deposit is legitimate, but they are not required to do so.

If you are a new customer and holds are consistently long, consider switching to a bank with faster processing times or ask Bank of America whether you can move to a premium account tier that offers shorter holds. Some Bank of America accounts, such as Preferred Rewards accounts, have reduced hold times for certain deposits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use money that is on hold?

No. Money on hold is not part of your available balance and cannot be spent. If you try to spend it, you will overdraft your account and face overdraft fees. Only your available balance is spendable.

Why did Bank of America hold my check for five days when I deposited it at an ATM?

ATM check deposits typically clear in one business day, but Bank of America may extend the hold if the check is large, from an out-of-state bank, or if your account is new. Check your account notification to see the reason and the release date.

How long does a wire transfer take at Bank of America?

Wire transfers sent from Bank of America usually arrive the same business day if sent before 2 p.m. ET. The receiving bank may take an additional day to credit the funds. Incoming wire transfers to your Bank of America account typically arrive within one business day.

What if I deposited a check and it bounced after I already spent the money?

Bank of America will reverse the deposit and deduct the amount from your account, which may cause an overdraft. You will also be charged a returned check fee. Contact the person who wrote the check and ask them to issue a new one or send the money another way.

Can I cancel a deposit after I have made it?

No. Once you have deposited a check or initiated an ACH transfer into your account, you cannot cancel it. If the deposit was fraudulent or sent by mistake, contact Bank of America and the sender immediately to report it.