One Bank that I once dealt with with was particularly unscrupulous in the use of this loophole which legalises CHECK KITEING by the banks. Even though I had had an accout with US Bank for years, even though my need to cash Checks over $5,000.00 was rare, and those checks were certainly not overtly suspicious, US Bank would always hold such checks for the 11 days they are permitted by law and often sveral days longer. The overdraft fees alone that they get from unsuspecting victims must amount to multi millions for the banks.
We left bank of america after they took 17 days to clear a check. Union Bank in Oceanside has never held a check more than 6 days and that was a large out-of-state check.