Many of us have felt our blood boil when we read "sorry, funds not available" on an ATM slip after trying to withdraw from an account into which we've made a cheque deposit.
But the banks are adamant cheque clearance times are necessary to protect both the public and the banks from fraudulent transactions.
If you want special treatment, the banks say you have to apply and they'll look at how you've been conducting your bank accounts before they take a decision.
Normal cheque clearance times vary from bank to bank, but all place at least some premium on risk and prefer to clear cheques before they let you draw against them.
Most banks don't differentiate between cheques deposited at ATMs or over the counter and many require at least seven calendar days to clear cheques.
Standard Bank says it needs a seven-day clearance period; NBS eight days, while at FNB it can take from seven to 10 days to clear a cheque.
Absa generally clears cheque deposits over the counter overnight, and cheques deposited at ATMs overnight the following day.
The reason for clearance periods, according to most banks, is that cheques can be returned by the bank or branch on which they are drawn so that the bank issuing the cash is not left out of pocket.
Clients needing immediate cheque clearance mostly have to go to the issuing branch.
If you bank with one of the major institutions and are in good standing with them, they may consider a special clearance period for you.
Standard Bank says it will clear cheques as a priority for a fee, allowing clients to draw against them as soon as confirmation of payment has been received from the bank or branch on which the cheque is drawn.
In exceptional circumstances, banks may give clients who have a history of conducting their accounts correctly and who maintain credit balances a shorter clearance time.
In this instance the branch will agree to bear the risk that the cheque might be dishonoured by the issuing branch, as it knows the client's account can stand the debit if the cheque has to be reversed.
In addition, Nan Eyles of Absa media relations says it also allows immediate clearance of salary cheques that have been deposited for at least three months.