Access to Funds
Alterna has been keeping your money safe for more than 100 years, and an effective policy regarding access to funds helps ensure we continue to do so.
When you deposit a cheque, draft, money order or other monetary instrument in a personal account at Alterna, either in-branch, through an automated teller machine (ATM), through your mobile device using Deposit Anywhere™ or by mail, we may put a hold on your funds¹. This means you will not be able to access the bulk of those funds for a limited period of time.
The hold periods vary depending on the type of cheque you’re depositing, however, in most cases access to at least $100 of the deposit will be provided to you for your immediate use².
The length of time you’ve dealt with Alterna and your present account standing may also have an impact on whether your deposited funds will be held. Please note that some cheques may require further confirmation. This means that the funds will be credited to your account only if and when we confirm that the funds to cover the deposited cheque have been received.
Cheques will be held for the following maximum number of business days³:
| Item | Amount | Max. Days Held |
| Cheques, drawn on Canadian financial institution, deposited in person | Up to, and including, $1,500 | 4 |
| Cheques, drawn on Canadian financial institution, deposited in person | Greater than $1,500 | 7 |
| Cheques drawn on a Canadian financial institution deposited through ATM or received by mail | Up to, and including, $1,500 | 5 |
| Cheques drawn on a Canadian financial institution deposited through ATM or received by mail | Greater than $1,500 | 8 |
| Cheques, drawn on Canadian financial institution, deposited using the Alterna Savings mobile app | Any Amount | 5 |
| Alterna Savings/Alterna Bank cheques, deposited to an Alterna Savings/Alterna Bank account (retail & business) | Any Amount | 3 |
| Foreign cheques, including United States | Any Amount | 30 |
The length of time you’ve dealt with Alterna and your present account standing may also have an impact on whether your deposited funds will be held. Please note that some cheques may require further confirmation. This means that the funds will be credited to your account only if and when we confirm that the funds to cover the deposited cheque have been received.
Questions? Contact us.
