How long does it take for a cheque I have lodged to clear?

Cheque Clearance

When you lodge a cheque to your account, it has to go through a process known as the clearing cycle. We will treat the money as ‘uncleared funds’ for a period of time, depending on the bank the money is being drawn from. This ‘uncleared period’ reflects the time it takes to receive the payment from the branch of the bank on which the cheque is drawn. During this period, if you withdraw any of the uncleared funds, we may charge interest on that amount.

The rate of interest that applies will depend on whether you have an agreed overdraft to cover the payment. The following table shows what day your cheque will clear for you to be able to withdraw the money, and what day your funds will start to earn interest (if this applies). The days refer only to working days and do not include weekends or bank holidays.

Cheque	For cheques cleared using the 'Paper clearing system" - 3 Banking Days
Cheque	For cheques cleared using the "Image clearing system" - no later than 23:59 the next Banking Day (except bank holidays)
Cheque lodgement at the Post Office®	The clearance cycle for cheques lodged at the Post Office® begins the day we receive the cheques usually the next Banking Day

‘Image Clearing System’ means the process that enables images of cheques to be exchanged between banks and building societies, through the Image Clearing System, for clearing payment. Cheques processed through this system clear more quickly. It means that if you lodge a cheque on a banking day you will be able to withdraw the funds no later than 23:59 the next banking day (except bank holidays).

Note: These rules only apply to cheques drawn in sterling on UK banks. Different timelines apply for cheques drawn on foreign banks and cheques drawn in foreign currencies on UK banks.

^{† Your calls to us may be recorded. Call charges may vary - refer to your service provider.}