Many customers get confused when an SBI cheque takes 2 or more days to clear.This delay is normal and depends on the type of branch, location, and clearing process followed by the bank, cheque clearance time in SBI.
Today as per RBI guidelines banks and their respective branches have started process of clearing withing each branch by giving machines for it but thinking that it will be cleared in few hours is not correct as when presented by branch after scanning in portal sends to the other bank for verification and when they verifies it and confirms back to branch takes time that’s why it will take minimum of 1 day plus. I will explain you below about it.
This article explains exactly why cheque clearing takes time and how the process works inside SBI.—1️⃣ Types of Cheque Clearing
A) Inward Clearing
When a cheque issued by you is deposited in another bank, that bank sends it to SBI for payment.
B) Outward Clearing
When you deposit a cheque from another bank into your SBI account, SBI sends it to the other bank for confirmation.➡️ These two movements create natural delay.
2️⃣ Clearing Through “Clearing House”All banks in a city/town meet daily in the RBI/NACH clearing house.Every cheque moves through this system in batches.If the cheque misses today’s batch, it goes in tomorrow’s batch.That adds one full day delay.
3️⃣ Non-clearing Branches Take LongerIf you deposit a cheque in a branch that is not a designated clearing branch, the process takes more time.Why?Because:1. Your branch sends the cheque to a service branch2. That branch sends it to the clearing house3. Then it goes to the other bank’s branch4. Then it returns through the same chain➡️ This easily adds 1–2 extra days.
4️⃣ Rural / Semi-urban Branch DelaysIn villages and small towns:Cheques move by courierClearing house may operate alternate daysService branch may be farCoordination is slowerSo clearing time becomes 2–4 days.
