How long does it take for a cheque to clear in my account?
All sterling cheques are processed through the Image Clearing Scheme, which is faster than the former Paper Clearing Scheme and uses a two‑business‑day clearing cycle.
In most cases, a cheque clears one working day after the day you pay it in. For example, if you deposit a cheque on Monday before 3:30pm, it will usually clear by Tuesday.
If the cheque is returned unpaid by the payer’s bank (the bank of the person who wrote the cheque), you will receive notification by letter or via Bankline.
The example below shows when your money begins to earn interest, when you can use the funds, and when the cheque becomes fully cleared.
Example: Deposit on Monday before 3:30pm
Day 1 (Monday): You deposit the cheque.
Day 2 (Tuesday):
- You start earning interest, if your account pays interest on credit balances.
- The cheque amount begins reducing any overdraft interest you are charged (if applicable).
- Funds become available for withdrawal (or earlier, if you have an agreed credit facility).
- By the end of the day, the cheque is either paid or declined by the payer’s bank.
- Once paid, the money becomes cleared funds.
Deposits Made After 3:30pm or at Weekends
If you pay a cheque in after 3:30pm on a working day or at the weekend, the clearing cycle starts on the next working day, and funds will clear two business days after that.
Depositing Cheques via the Post Office
If you pay in a cheque at the Post Office or through some agents or financial institutions, the cheque may take longer to reach the paying bank.
The two‑day clearing cycle applies only to sterling cheques processed through the Image Clearing Scheme.
Foreign cheques are not part of this scheme and can take up to 20 weeks to clear.
