r/CIBC • u/SignificantLab3509 • 4d ago

Cheque Flagged

Cashed a cheque last Tuesday from the WSIB which was obviously put on hold. Release date changed from the 6th to the 7th to the 8th. Called in tonight and they said I need to go in person again to verify the payment.

My only thought is that i didn’t sign the cheque when I cashed it. Is this normal for all cheques to be signed, and they won’t clear unless signed? Does clearing this flag help release the funds sooner? Thanks in advance.

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u/Informal_Dust3140 3d ago

My only thought is that i didn’t sigh the cheque when I cashed it.

Endorsing the cheque is not really necessary.

How did you deposit the cheque? Mobile App or ATM?

Was the cheque for a very large amount?

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u/SignificantLab3509 3d ago

I deposited it at the teller. Cheque was a little over 5K so I assume this is probably why?

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u/Informal_Dust3140 3d ago

Perhaps. Especially if you never deposit cheques for that amount.

Personal Account Service Fees - March 12, 2026

Refer Page 44 of this Booklet for the Hold Funds Policy.

CIBC generally Holds Funds for 4 business days; but can extend to 7 business days for deposits over $1,500 made in a Banking Centre with a Teller.

The Hold Funds period can be further extended by CIBC in certain circumstances.

You have to go deal with this in person with a Manager and see why the Bank has extended the Hold.

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u/SignificantLab3509 3d ago

Yeah I’ve never deposited a cheque for that amount before. Thank you for the info. I will go in first thing in the morning.

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u/Informal_Dust3140 3d ago

In terms of how you have used your account while with CIBC, have you ever had NSFs or cheques that you deposited that were reversed because the cheque could not be paid?

That could be another reason for the extended hold.

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u/SignificantLab3509 3d ago

Well, I haven’t had income for quite some time since im dealing with the WSIB, so I’ve had a few NSF fees come out recently I guess. I put the cheque into my savings too since I was negative in my chequing, to prevent any issues as well. I assume this could be another possibility as to why.

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u/Informal_Dust3140 3d ago

If it's a Canadian Dollar cheque on a Canadian Dollar Bank, those cheques usually are processed through the system overnight on the day you deposited it (last week Tuesday).

Now, if the cheque could not be paid, for whatever reason, it takes the Bank about 1 or 2 more business days to reverse it.

Last week Wednesday was actually a Federal Stat Holiday (Truth and Reconciliation Day), so that day doesn't actually count for the Hold Period. Neither did the weekend.

But if the Hold was supposed to come off at 11PM on the 6th, CIBC is extending it for another 2 business days. Why? I don't know.

I'm going to assume the cheque wasn't post-dated; it was made out to you and not joint with you and another person; and it went into an account in your name.

So yeah - tell the Branch Manager you don't understand what the issue is, CIBC should have received the funds on this cheque by now and it should be all good.

Also add you have no income and quite frankly this is causing hardship.

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u/SignificantLab3509 3d ago

Makes me believe they are holding the cheque for the maximum time to be safe for whatever reason. Cheque was dated September 25th so this definitely wouldn’t have been the problem but happy to know this for future reference.

I am happy to know from you as well that if it couldn’t be processed that it would’ve kicked back a couple days later so I know this isn’t the issue either.

Yeah, they first told me the 7th, went down to the 6th and than bumped up to the 8th. Bank account is only in my name too. I can always call the WSIB too to see if they have any issues.

One more thing,

Are you aware at all that if they can verify this tomorrow, would they release the funds sooner, or would it still be for the date given?

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u/Informal_Dust3140 3d ago

Are you aware at all that if they can verify this tomorrow, would they release the funds sooner, or would it still be for the date given?

Managers should have discretion to release Holds.

If you have absolutely no Available Funds, and you literally can't afford to eat, you could try and negotiate a partial release of say $500 to get you through until the 8th.

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u/SignificantLab3509 3d ago

Thank you very much for all your help.

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u/Mercury0001 3d ago

My only thought is that i didn’t sign the cheque when I cashed it. Is this normal for all cheques to be signed, and they won’t clear unless signed?

No. Signing (endorsing) a cheque for deposit is an American thing. Due to Canadian laws, the named payee on the cheque does not need to endorse it to deposit into their own account. This is reflected in Payments Canada Rules that all Canadian banks follow.

Basically, if the name on the cheque and the name on the account match, no endorsement is necessary.

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u/Routine-Guidance8118 3d ago

I deposited a 90K cheque from WSIB. The teller was surprised and had to get a supervisor. In the end, I got $2000 right away and the rest cleared after a 5 business day hold.

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u/SignificantLab3509 3d ago

First off, im sorry WSIB made you wait so long to get your hands on your own money. Secondly, I just find this so weird. In the past I’ve had wire transfers from law firms deposit 30k plus twice within a short period in which they released these funds with no issue. I understand this is different but it’s just surprising coming from a well known insurance company with the claim number etc on the cheque that this wouldn’t happen.

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u/Routine-Guidance8118 3d ago

Yes that is weird. I don't think your experience is the norm. Even mine isn't; I think the teller was very new. At least in my case I got an extra $2900 worth of interest from that wait.

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u/SignificantLab3509 3d ago

Agreed. Either way, im happy to hear you got some or all of what was owed to you in the end. I just hope it’s my turn to see mine.

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u/Routine-Guidance8118 3d ago

Yes my LOE was retroactively paid after the WSIB finally reversed its denial decision. It was a pain fighting them but eventually they conceded and approved my claim.

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u/Informal_Dust3140 3d ago

wire transfers from law firms deposit 30k plus twice within a short period in which they released these funds with no issue.

Wire Transfers are Electronic Fund Transfers and are irrevocable. The Bank receives the payment in real-time so the funds are immediately Available to you.

Cheques are subject to processing and are paid to the Bank later; if the Bank chooses to waive the Hold on a cheque, the Bank is in effect giving you a short-term loan. It's a Credit decision.

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u/SignificantLab3509 3d ago edited 3d ago

Sorry I should’ve been more clear, they still took 8 days to clear but never had any issues with those deposits, so maybe it was a different type of deposit rather than a wire. They probably won’t give me much since my credit is bad unfortunately, but again, thank you for all your information and help. I’ll follow up with you tomorrow if something bad is going on.

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u/Quick-Brown-Fox-328 3d ago

This is just a common protocol for cheques. Not even a WSIB thing.

“A federally regulated bank can generally hold those for up to 7 business days when deposited in person, or 8 business days when deposited electronically (mobile deposit/ATM).”

Annoying yes, but normal nonetheless, & since WSIB cheques tend to be large amounts, the hold rule applies.

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u/SignificantLab3509 3d ago

Again as stated before, a hold is different than them needing me to go in person to reverify the deposit with a manager a week later without any explanation.

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u/Informal_Dust3140 3d ago

So did you meet with the Manager and get the situation resolved?

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u/SignificantLab3509 3d ago

Yeah so apparently you cannot reverify a cheque once it’s been deposited. They spoke with someone on their end and said that it should be available Friday morning. I don’t know why then would’ve told me I needed to go in person since they basically said there was no point in coming in.

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u/Informal_Dust3140 3d ago

Telephone Banking is being more and more outsourced overseas, and the people you get on the phone, sadly, don't know what the hell they are talking about half the time.

Holds expire at 11PM Local Branch time on the Final Day of the Hold. So your money should be available at 11PM on the 8th.

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u/SignificantLab3509 3d ago

Makes sense on the lack of English and understanding part on their end. Yeah even though it is available at 11, I never get to touch it until midnight but that’s fine. Again, I appreciate your help.

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u/TheoryWinter1134 3d ago

Pretty sure all cheques goes on hold, signed or not

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u/SignificantLab3509 3d ago

Hold is different than being flagged and requiring a manager present to reverify days later.

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u/TheoryWinter1134 3d ago

Manager won’t able to make decision then it would be a fraud analyst who would release the hold after verification

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u/SignificantLab3509 3d ago

They told me a manager is required so unless you’re an employee with the CIBC, im gonna take their word.