Returned Deposit

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21 Aug, 2024

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A Returned Deposit refers to a scenario where a deposit is reversed or sent back to the depositor due to processing issues. Various reasons, such as insufficient funds or mismatched signatures, may contribute to this situation, and the depositor is generally not subject to any fees.

This process is commonly referred to as a bounced check and primarily involves concerns related to the originator's account. The bank may impose a fee on the original funding source, and the amount varies between banks, contingent on different factors. Consequently, this occurrence often reflects negatively on the original account holder.

What Is A Returned Deposit?

Returned deposits are checks that a bank reverses, indicating they have not been processed for various reasons.
While a standard process in banks, the primary concern rests with the original account holder who issued the check.
Fees may vary among banks, typically ranging from $25 to $40 for each bounced check deposition.
Banks do not typically report returned deposit checks to credit bureaus; however, they retain the right to take legal action against account holders in cases of consistently bounced checks.

Returned Deposit Item Explained

A returned deposit are deposits that the bank did not clear for one or more reasons, resulting in the check being returned and the transaction being halted. When an individual, company, or entity issues a check to another party, typically a payment recipient, the recipient submits it to the bank for payment. However, if the bank fails to process the check for any reason, it is deemed a bounced check, and the giver and recipient may incur a fee.

While bounced checks are commonplace in everyday banking transactions, they can be embarrassing for the check writer or depositor and complicate the process. In such situations, the recipient must reach out to the check writer, requesting another check or exploring alternative arrangements, with a crucial emphasis on ensuring resolution from their end.

Banks generally do not report bounced checks to credit bureaus, meaning they do not directly impact the credit report or credit score of the check writer. Nevertheless, if such occurrences become frequent, banks might resort to legal action against the account holder. Simultaneously, these incidents contribute to a negative reputation for both firms and individuals in the market, diminishing credibility and trust.

Reasons

The reasons for a returned deposit are as follows:

The most prevalent cause of this occurrence is insufficient funds. The account must have the exact or a higher amount available for the check to be processed.
If the bank authorities discover that the check is forged or altered, containing incorrect information, it will lead to a returned deposit.
Technical errors represent the most frequent reason for returned deposits. These errors may result from an incorrect routing number, account number, date, or other clerical mistakes.
If the check writer requests the bank to stop or not initiate a specific check or payment, it will be reversed as a returned deposit.
When a depositor brings a check for bank deposit, but it is drawn on a closed or inactive account, the processing will be reversed, resulting in this occurrence.

Examples

Let us look at some real-world and hypothetical scenarios to understand the concept better.

Example #1

Suppose Jennifer owns a textile company. During Christmas, she purchased new machinery for her factory and needed to pay for it. Jennifer wrote a check for $9000 to the equipment supplier for all the tools, setup, and installation. Simultaneously, she anticipated receiving a substantial order from a vendor, expecting a deposit of $11,000 and also provided Christmas bonuses to all her employees. However, due to a shortage of staff during the holidays, she was unaware of the account balance and details.

When the equipment seller deposited the $9000 check for processing, it was reversed, and the payment was not initiated due to insufficient funds in Jennifer's account. Jennifer incurred a small fee, commonly known as an insufficient funds fee or a bounced check fee, from the bank as a consequence. It is important to note that returned deposits can occur for various reasons, including technical errors or stop payment requests.

Example #2

In response to a financial scandal, the Karuvannur Cooperative Bank in Thrissur, India, reveals an extended plan to return deposits to its customers. Under the new scheme, customers with fixed deposits exceeding ₹1 lakh can withdraw a portion of their deposits, limited to 10% of the principal and 100% interest, starting December 1 if their deposits complete the maturity period by October 31. The bank aims to ease overcrowding by allowing customers with deposits below ₹5 lakh to begin withdrawals from Saturday. In comparison, those with deposits above ₹5 lakh can initiate withdrawals from December 11.

Funding for this initiative will be sourced from arrear collections, deposits from nearby financial institutions, and support from cooperative banks and the cooperative development fund board. As part of its deposit return package, the bank has already returned ₹15.5 crore to 4,050 small-scale customers.

Consequences

The repercussions of a returned deposit include the following:

Depositors are subject to a returned deposit fee, distinct from any check bouncing fees incurred by the check writer's original bank.
In numerous cases, the bank deducts the amount of the returned check from the account, potentially leading to an overdraft situation.
Suppose the account balance is sufficient for the written check. In that case, the bank may initiate the payment, causing the balance to drop to zero and incur additional fees for not maintaining funds.
Consistent bouncing of checks may prompt the bank to flag the activity as fraudulent, potentially resulting in legal consequences.
Depositors are burdened with the task of contacting the check writer to resolve the issue.
Depositors may request compensation from the check writer for any unnecessary fees incurred due to the bounced check.
Reversed checks for debts can negatively impact the account holder's credit report, especially if they lead to late payments.
Frequent occurrences can erode trust, causing merchants and customers to reject accepting checks.

How To Prevent It?

To prevent returned deposits, consider the following measures:

Regularly monitor bank accounts to stay informed about withdrawals and upcoming automated payments.
Ensure the account maintains sufficient funds consistently and remains active.
Avoid post-dated checks and explore alternative, quick, and real-time payment methods.
Link the checking account to other savings accounts to have an alternative source of funds when needed.
When writing a check, always confirm the account balance and ensure it covers the required amount.
Opt for overdraft protection to allow the bank to cover transactions even if the balance momentarily drops below zero.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How to record a returned deposit on a bank reconciliation?

To record a returned deposit on a bank reconciliation, the account holder shall -
- Acknowledge the returned deposit.
- Adjust the bank balance with the proper fund deposit, including all the charges.
- For books, the firm or account holder has to reverse the original deposit entry, which means debiting accounts receivable and crediting the cash account for the bounced check, which should be recorded as an expense.

2. Can a bank waive returned deposit fees?

Yes, banks may waive returned deposit fees under certain circumstances. Account holders can request fee waivers, especially for first-time occurrences or if the returned check resulted from an error. However, the bank's decision to waive fees is at their discretion and may vary based on the individual's relationship with the bank and the nature of the returned check.

3. How does a returned deposit impact relationships with vendors or payees?

A returned deposit can strain relationships with vendors or payees as it negatively affects the account holder's reliability. It may lead to a decline in trust, affect future transactions, and prompt vendors to reconsider accepting checks from the account holder.