Not anymore. Chase's system sends electronic images of the checks to other banks now, who review it and send us the money that night. Unless the other bank tells us otherwise, or the check is insanely huge, or you have an Access account, your money will be deposited at midnight, unless you deposit after 5pm. Chase checks are considered as good as cash and are in your account immediately.
Not for very much longer. All WaMu branches will be converted to Chase by the end of November of next year.
Also....why the HELL don't you have your savings account set up as overdraft protection?! Are you STUPID?! That's what savings is for. I don't know about WaMu, but Chase charges a paltry $10 ODP fee, vs a $35 insufficient funds fee. Get your ASS down to your bank and link your accounts, you dumbass.
Whenever I'm depositing someone's check and there's going to be a hold, either manually or automatically placed, I tell them. If it's automatically placed, the date the remainder of the balance of the check is printed on the receipt. I give them the probable reason for the hold-low balance and high check amount, out-of-state check, frequently overdrawn, or the bank the check is drawn off of said the check might not be paid. If it's manually placed, I give them the reason and the approximate amount of time the check will take to clear.
Also, go by your AVAILABLE balance, NOT your present balance. Don't go by your current balance either.
I've got a question for you. When you deposited the check on which there was a hold, were you sent a letter in the mail informing you of a hold? If you were, they might have said in the letter "the bank will refund any fees incurred because of this hold" If you were not sent a letter, then the hold was automatically placed all responsibility falls on you.
At least, Chase sends such letters. Problem is, the fees aren't automatically refunded unless you come in with the letter and tell them about the fees. I don't know Wachovia's P&P, so I'm not a lot of help, but it is something to keep in mind.