Financial institutions have limits in place on bank accounts and debit cards to help protect you and your account from fraud or losses. In this article, we’ll help answer the most frequently asked questions about release limits, as well as point-of-sale limits and ABM withdrawal limits.

What are release limits?

When you deposit a cheque into your chequing or savings account, your financial institution may hold a portion of that cheque for a few days until the funds have cleared (the money has successfully transferred from one bank account to another). There are some exceptions, but the cheque hold period is typically five business days. The portion of the money released to you immediately is called a release limit.

It’s important to understand why release limits are in place. In short, release limits exist to protect you and the financial institution against losses if the cheque does not clear and funds are lost. If the financial institution were to grant you access to the complete funds right away or not have a release limit, they would essentially be extending credit, meaning that if the cheque did not clear due to non-sufficient funds, you would become responsible for repaying those funds (please refer to your account agreement for details). Temporary access to a portion of the funds reduces the amount of money that you would potentially have to payback if the cheque did not clear.

To minimize your exposure to non-sufficient funds or fraudulent cheques, make sure you know and trust the person you are dealing with. If you would like to have your release limit increased, you can contact your advisor or local branch for options.

If you receive a direct deposit or an electronic money transfer, there will not be a hold on those funds and you can access the full amount right away.

How are release limit amounts determined?

Not everyone’s release limit is the same. For example, having a better financial track record could mean also having a higher release limit. Securing a higher release limit is dependent on your relationship with your financial institution, including the amount of time you’ve banked with them, average deposit amount, the status of your existing accounts and your overall banking behaviour.

What is a point-of-sale limit?

A point-of-sale limit is the daily amount you’re able to spend using your debit card, including your mobile wallet.

Another limit you may encounter is a tap limit, which is how much you can spend using the tap functionality of your debit or credit card. A tap limit allows you to spend $100 in a single tap purchase. In an effort to minimize potential contact during COVID-19, Mastercard ® has raised the single purchase tap limit to $250 for a limited time.

These limits are in place to protect you and your funds. If you fall victim to theft or fraud, the point-of-sale limit will deter the fraudster from making large purchases or emptying your account.

What is an ABM withdrawal limit?

An ABM withdrawal limit is the amount you’re able to withdraw from an automated banking machine in a single day. This limit is also in place to protect you and your funds. If you became a victim of fraud, having this limit in place can protect you and the financial institution from loss by making sure your full balance isn’t accessible.

Can I change these limits?

For point-of-sale and ABM withdrawal limits, you can speak with your financial institution to discuss your options and determine what’s best for you. As an example, you might need to change your limits to make a special purchase. If you are an ATB customer, you can call our Customer Care Centre or visit a branch to do so. Your limit will automatically revert to its original amount the following day.

If you would like to have your release limit increased, you can contact your advisor or local branch to see if this is an option. In addition, if you have concerns about your release limit or other daily limits or would like to learn more, please reach out to us.

If you want to ensure you aren’t impacted by a release limit, having your employer switch to direct deposit or electronic transfers is the best option.