Navy Federal Credit Union [NFCU] review: Holds on deposits

Subject: Improper Extension of Check Hold and Failure to Provide Required Regulation CC Notice

On February 2, 2026 (Monday), my husband and I deposited two business checks totaling over $7,800 at a branch teller. At the time of deposit, the teller explicitly informed us that the funds would be available by Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

On February 3, 2026 (Tuesday), I received an email notification stating that the deposits were being delayed for five business days, purportedly “for my protection.” I immediately contacted customer service and was told the funds would now be available on Friday, February 6, 2026.

On Friday, February 6, 2026, at approximately 8:15 a.m., I checked my account and found that no funds had been credited. I contacted customer service again and was told by a representative that the release date had been moved to Tuesday, February 10, 2026, based on information from the bank’s “security department.”

I requested a supervisor and was transferred to an individual named Anthony. Anthony stated that he needed to place me on hold to contact the “security department.” Upon returning, he advised that the funds would instead be released on Monday morning, February 9, 2026.

At this point, I asked a direct and material question: whether the checks had been returned or dishonored by the paying bank. Anthony stated that he did not know.

I explained that under Regulation CC, the paying bank would already have determined whether the checks would be honored within the first two business days, and that the bank’s own email on February 3 confirming a five-business-day exception hold demonstrates that the checks had been presented and were not immediately returned. I further noted that five business days from February 2 is February 6, yet the release date continued to be moved without explanation.

I asked what specific regulation permitted the bank to continue extending the hold without providing notice of the reason, the applicable exception, or a definitive release date, and without confirming whether the checks had been returned. Anthony stated that he was not familiar with banking regulations.

I then requested to speak directly with someone in the “security department.” Anthony informed me that the department does not speak directly with customers. I expressed concern that a department with authority to delay customer funds appears to be making decisions without transparency, accountability, or direct customer access. I was told that the matter was “out of his hands.”

As of Friday, February 6, 2026, the bank has:

Repeatedly changed the stated availability date

Failed to provide a clear Regulation CC exception notice explaining the continued hold

Failed to confirm whether the checks have been returned or dishonored

Provided inconsistent and conflicting information across departments

I am requesting a formal review of this matter, written clarification of the regulatory basis for the continued hold, and confirmation of whether the deposited checks have been returned or honored.