Large checks follow a slower, stricter clearing process, and most of the money isn't available right away. Here's what actually happens behind the scenes.

When a five- or six-figure check hits your account, it can feel like instant money. In reality, a quiet chain of bank rules, ...

When a big check hits your account, it can feel like instant breathing room, but the banking system does not move at the speed of your mobile app. Behind that "pending" status is a tightly regulated ...