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Deposit Hold Questions

A deposit hold means that although a check amount was credited to your account, it's not available for your use. Wells Fargo Bank's general policy is to make deposited funds available on the first business day after the Bank receives a deposit. In some cases, however, we may place a deposit hold on these funds and delay availability for up to 7 business days. Common reasons for placing a hold on a check or deposit include but are not limited to:

  • Accounts with frequent overdrafts
  • New customer
  • High-dollar deposits that exceed the total available balance in the account
  • Deposits of checks that have already been returned unpaid
  • Notification to Wells Fargo by the check maker’s financial institution that the check will be returned

During the time a deposit hold is in effect, you should not write checks against or attempt to withdraw the held funds. If a deposit hold has been placed, we may decline withdrawals or return checks if the total amount of available funds in your account (not including the “hold” amount) is insufficient to pay these items. If checks you have written are returned or items are paid using the funds held, they may be subject to fees.

Generally, a deposit hold is placed at the time you deposit the check. Your deposit receipt will include information about the hold. Electronic receipts may be sent through email or to your wellsfargo.com secure inbox.

If a deposit hold is placed after the deposit, we’ll notify you.

Generally, held funds will be available to you on the date shown on your deposit hold notification or deposit receipt. We’ll notify you separately if the deposited check is returned unpaid or if that date changes. 

If the check is returned unpaid by the bank upon which it is drawn, the amount of the check will be deducted from your account.

Wells Fargo is responsible for giving you prompt notice when there is a delay in the availability of your deposited funds. Additionally, if you did not receive a notice of the deposit hold at the time you made the deposit and the check you deposited is paid, we will refund any fees that were charged due to the deposit hold. To get a refund of such fees, call:
 
Consumer Accounts 1-800-869-3557
 
Business Accounts 1-800-225-5935

You may not use the delayed funds until they’re available. To avoid fees, please don’t attempt to withdraw or write checks against these funds.

Deposit holds do not impact interest. Any deposit to an interest-bearing account will begin earning interest within two business days regardless of the length of a hold.

See other frequently asked questions for businesses

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