If I Deposit a Check in an ATM, When Will It Be Available?

When depositing a check at an Automated Teller Machine (ATM), understanding when funds become available is important. The exact timing varies based on banking regulations and institutional policies. This article clarifies typical timelines for ATM check deposits and outlines factors that influence fund availability.

Understanding Fund Availability Rules

The availability of deposited funds is primarily governed by federal regulations, specifically the Expedited Funds Availability Act (EFAA), also known as Regulation CC. This regulation sets baseline requirements for how quickly banks must make funds available to their customers. A “business day” for banking purposes generally includes weekdays, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. If a deposit is made on a non-business day, such as a weekend or holiday, it is typically considered received on the next business day.

For most checks deposited at an ATM owned by your bank, funds are generally required to be available by the second business day following the day of deposit. However, some banks may offer next-day availability for certain types of checks, such as U.S. Treasury checks. It is important to distinguish between the banking day a deposit is made and the day funds become available. For instance, a check deposited late in the day or on a Saturday might not be processed until the next business day, delaying its availability. Additionally, a small portion of your deposit may be made available sooner; effective July 1, 2025, banks must make the first $275 of certain check deposits available by the next business day.

Factors That Can Delay Availability

While standard availability rules aim for quick access to funds, several circumstances can lead a bank to place an extended hold on a check deposited at an ATM. These exceptions are permitted under Regulation CC to protect financial institutions from potential losses. Banks are generally required to notify you if an extended hold is placed, explaining the reason and when the funds will be available.

One common reason for a delay is a large deposit. If the total amount of checks deposited in a single day exceeds a certain threshold, the amount over that threshold may be subject to an extended hold. Effective July 1, 2025, this threshold will be $6,725. For example, if you deposit $7,000 in checks, the first $6,725 would follow the standard availability schedule, while the remaining $275 could be held longer.

New accounts are another factor that can trigger extended holds. If your account has been open for less than 30 days, your bank may place a longer hold on deposited checks. Similarly, if an account has a history of repeated overdrafts, such as having a negative balance on six or more banking days within the past six months, funds from new deposits may also be held for a longer period.

Banks may also delay funds if they have reasonable cause to doubt the collectibility of a check. This could arise from concerns about potential fraud, if the check is post-dated, or if the paying bank indicates it may not honor the check. Checks drawn on banks located outside the United States are typically subject to extended holds because collecting funds from foreign institutions can take considerably longer. Furthermore, depositing a check at an ATM not owned by your bank, known as a non-proprietary ATM, can also result in a longer hold, sometimes up to the fifth business day.

Checking Your Funds and What to Do

Once you’ve deposited a check at an ATM, there are several practical steps you can take to determine when your funds will be available. Most banks provide access to your account balance through their online banking portals or mobile applications. These platforms often display pending deposits and indicate the expected availability date for funds. Checking your account electronically is often the quickest way to monitor your deposit.

Another useful resource is the ATM receipt itself. Many ATM receipts will provide details about the deposit, including any initial hold placed and the expected date when the funds will be fully available. It is always a good practice to retain your ATM receipt until the funds have cleared your account. If the information on your receipt or online account is unclear, or if you have questions about a specific hold, contacting your bank’s customer service directly can provide clarification.

If you find that your funds are not available as expected, reviewing any hold notices from your bank is important. These notices should explain the reason for the delay and specify the date when the funds will be released. Should you disagree with the hold or require immediate access to a portion of the funds, discussing your situation with a bank representative may sometimes lead to an earlier release, depending on the bank’s policies and your account history.