Federal legislation that dictates the “holds” financial institutions may place on funds represented by check deposits. The law also directs the Federal Reserve to take actions to improve check clearing and settlement procedures. Also known as EFAA, this law is implemented through Federal Reserve Regulation CC.
The Expedited Funds Availability Act requires all banks, savings and loan associations, savings banks, and credit unions to make funds deposited into checking, share draft and NOW accounts available according to specified time schedules and to disclose their funds availability policies to their customers. The law does not require an institution to delay the customer's use of deposited funds but instead limits how long any delay may last. The regulation also establishes rules designed to speed the return of unpaid checks.
A law that set standards for check endorsements and establishes maximum time limits that may be used by financial institutions when placing holds on customer checks.
EFAA Federal law enacted by Congress in 1987 limiting holds on checks deposited into a bank account, and requiring banks and other depository financial institutions to follow a uniform funds availability schedule in processing checks or drafts deposited into an account. Under the EFAA, the first $100 of a check is to be available for use at the opening of business the day after the deposit is made; the remaining funds on the second day after the deposit if payable by a local bank, and within five days if drawn on more distant banks.
The Expedited Funds Availability Act (EFA or EFAA) was enacted in 1987 by the United States Congress for the purpose of standardizing hold periods on deposits made to commercial banks and to regulate institutions' use of deposit holds. It is also referred to as Regulation CC or Reg CC, after the Federal Reserve regulation that implements the act. The law is codified in Title 12, Chapter 40 of the US Code and Title 12, Part 229 of the Code of Federal Regulations.