Regulation CC applies to savings accounts only for checks you deposit, not to transfers, withdrawals, or direct deposits
Regulation CC is a federal rule that controls how long banks can hold checks before making the money available to you. It applies to any deposit account — checking, savings, money market — when you deposit a paper check. But it does not cover electronic transfers, ACH deposits, wire transfers, or money you withdraw. If your savings account receives funds any way other than a check, Regulation CC does not apply to that transaction.
The rule exists because banks used to hold checks for weeks while they cleared, and customers had no way to know when their money would actually be available. Regulation CC sets maximum hold times and requires banks to tell you when funds will be available. For most checks deposited in person or by mobile app, the bank must make the first $225 available by the next business day, and the rest within two to five business days depending on the check type.
If you are moving money between your own accounts, receiving a paycheck by direct deposit, or getting a wire transfer into your savings account, Regulation CC does not apply. Those transactions are governed by different rules — ACH transfers by Regulation E, wire transfers by Regulation J. Your bank may make funds available faster than Regulation CC requires, but the rule itself only covers checks.
Key Takeaways
- Regulation CC applies only to checks deposited into a savings account, not to direct deposits, transfers, or withdrawals.
- Banks must make the first $225 of a check available by the next business day, and the remainder within two to five business days.
- Your bank can hold a check longer than Regulation CC allows only in specific situations: suspected fraud, repeated overdrafts, or deposits over $5,525.
- Electronic transfers and ACH deposits are not subject to Regulation CC and may be available immediately or within one to two business days depending on your bank's policy.
- Your bank must provide you with a written disclosure explaining its hold policy when you open the account or upon request.
When Regulation CC hold times apply to your savings account
Regulation CC applies the moment you deposit a check into your savings account. The clock starts when the bank receives the deposit — either when you hand it to a teller, deposit it through an ATM, or submit it through mobile deposit. The bank must then follow the hold schedule set by the rule.
For a local check (drawn on a bank in the same Federal Reserve region), the bank must make the first $225 available by the next business day. The remaining balance must be available by the second business day. For a non-local check (drawn on a bank outside your region), the first $225 is still available the next business day, but the rest may be held until the fifth business day. Cashier's checks, certified checks, and checks from the U.S. Treasury must be made available by the next business day in full.
The hold period is measured in business days, which means weekends and federal holidays do not count. If you deposit a check on Friday, the next business day is Monday. If you deposit on a holiday, the hold clock does not start until the next business day after that.
Situations where banks can hold checks longer than Regulation CC requires
Regulation CC allows banks to extend holds beyond the standard timeline in four specific cases. The bank must have a reasonable reason to believe one of these conditions exists, and it must notify you of the extended hold.
The first is suspected fraud or forgery. If the bank suspects the check is not legitimate, it can hold it longer while it investigates. The second is repeated overdrafts — if your account has been overdrawn more than six times in the past six months, the bank can hold checks for up to seven business days. The third is a large deposit: any single check over $5,525 can be held longer. The fourth is a new account: if your savings account is less than 30 days old, the bank can hold checks for up to nine business days.
In all four cases, the bank must tell you about the extended hold in writing, either when you deposit the check or within one business day. The notice must explain the reason for the hold and when the funds will be available. If the bank cannot provide a reason that fits one of these four categories, it must follow the standard Regulation CC timeline.
How to find your bank's hold policy
Your bank is required by law to give you a written disclosure of its hold policy. This disclosure must be provided when you open your savings account, and you can request it at any time. Many banks post their policy on their website under "Deposit Hold Policy" or "Check Hold Policy," or you can ask a teller for a printed copy.
The disclosure will tell you how long your specific bank holds checks, whether it holds local and non-local checks for different periods, and what situations trigger extended holds. Some banks hold checks for shorter periods than Regulation CC allows — for example, making all funds available in two business days instead of five. That is legal; banks can be faster than the rule requires, but not slower (except in the four situations listed above).
If you cannot find the policy online or in your account paperwork, call your bank's customer service line or visit a branch. You have the right to this information, and the bank must provide it.
Deposits that are not covered by Regulation CC
Direct deposits, ACH transfers, wire transfers, and internal transfers between your own accounts are not subject to Regulation CC. These are electronic transactions, and they follow different rules and timelines.
Direct deposits of paychecks or government benefits are governed by the ACH network rules, which require the bank to make funds available by the next business day. Many banks make direct deposits available the same day they are received. Wire transfers are governed by Regulation J and must be made available the same day they are received, or the next business day at the latest. Transfers between your own accounts at the same bank are usually available immediately.
If you are waiting for money to arrive in your savings account and it is not a check, Regulation CC does not apply. Check your bank's policy for that specific transaction type, or contact the bank directly to ask when the funds will be available.
What to do if your bank violates Regulation CC
If your bank holds a check longer than Regulation CC allows and does not fall into one of the four exception categories, the bank has violated the rule. Document the deposit date, the check amount, and the date the funds became available. Gather your deposit receipt and any written notice the bank provided about the hold.
Contact your bank's customer service department first. Explain the situation and ask why the hold was longer than required. Sometimes the hold is released early, or the bank can explain a reason you were not aware of. If the bank cannot justify the extended hold, ask to speak with a manager or file a complaint in writing.
If the bank does not resolve the issue, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov. The CFPB investigates violations of Regulation CC and can order banks to refund fees or interest you lost because of an improper hold. You can also contact your state's banking regulator or the Federal Reserve Bank that oversees your bank's region.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I deposit a check on Friday, when will the money be available?
The next business day is Monday, so the first $225 will be available Monday. The rest of the check will be available by Tuesday (for a local check) or by Friday (for a non-local check). Weekends do not count toward the hold period under Regulation CC.
Does Regulation CC apply to checks I deposit through my bank's mobile app?
Yes. Mobile check deposits are subject to the same Regulation CC hold times as in-person deposits. The hold clock starts when the bank receives and processes the image, which is usually within one business day of when you submit it.
Can my bank hold a check longer if I have a history of overdrafts?
Yes, but only if your account has been overdrawn more than six times in the past six months. In that case, the bank can hold checks for up to seven business days instead of the standard two to five days. The bank must notify you in writing when this extended hold applies.
What is the difference between a local and non-local check under Regulation CC?
A local check is drawn on a bank in the same Federal Reserve region as your bank. A non-local check is drawn on a bank in a different region. Local checks must be cleared faster, so the remainder is available by the second business day. Non-local checks can be held until the fifth business day.
If my bank makes funds available faster than Regulation CC requires, am I may provide to have the money that fast?
No. A bank's policy can be faster than Regulation CC, but the bank can still hold funds longer in the four exception situations: suspected fraud, repeated overdrafts, large deposits, or new accounts. Always check your bank's specific policy and any hold notice you receive with your deposit.