Is Bank of America ending the acceptance of damaged bills?
Bank of America will continue to accept all currency despite previous reports that claimed the bank and several other major retailers were going to stop accepting damaged $1 bills as part of an effort to crack down on counterfeit currency.
What is mutilated currency? Mutilated currency is any currency that has been ripped, torn, taped, burned or substantially defaced. In many countries, merchants or banks will not accept these bills. Bank of America does not distribute or accept mutilated currency of any kind.
Under regulations issued by the Department of the Treasury, mutilated United States currency may be exchanged at face value if: More than 50% of a note identifiable as United States currency is present.
When a bank fails, the FDIC or a state regulatory agency takes control and either sells or dissolves the bank. The FDIC insures deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per FDIC-insured bank, per account ownership category. In a bank failure, the FDIC aims to return insured funds to depositors within two business days.
If it's torn, you can use some tape to repair the bill or you can exchange it at your local bank. If the damage is more dramatic you can take or mail the money to the mutilated currency division of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing where it will be reviewed by US currency experts.
Individuals, financial institutions, and businesses may contact the Department of the Treasury's Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) if they are in possession of mutilated U.S. currency, meaning that the currency has been damaged to the extent that one-half or less of the original note remains, or its condition is ...
Mutilated Notes
These can also be exchanged at the counters of any public sector bank branch, any currency chest branch of a private sector bank or any Issue Office of the RBI without filling any form.
Unfit currency should be exchanged—free of charge—for fit or clean banknotes and coins. Under BSP Circular No. 829, series of 2014, and the Manual of Regulations for Banks (MORB), banks are required to facilitate the processing and submission of the public's mutilated currency to the BSP for examination.
In areas with unreliable internet or during crises, cash provides a dependable payment method, ensuring continuous access to goods and services. Maintaining cash as a payment option supports marginalized groups like the elderly, low-income individuals, and undocumented immigrants, preventing further exclusion.
Do you have a torn check and wonder if it can still be cashed? You can, in fact, cash a torn check quite easily. This is because most financial institutions now accept checks with minor damage. However, in order for you to be able to cash a torn check, certain information needs to be fully visible.
How stable is Bank of America?
Fitch Ratings' report on Bank of America Corporation (BAC) affirms its strong creditworthiness, reflected in its Viability Rating (VR) of 'aa–' and Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of 'AA–/Stable'.
JPMorgan Chase, the financial institution that owns Chase Bank, topped our experts' list because it's designated as the world's most systemically important bank on the 2023 G-SIB list. This designation means it has the highest loss absorbency requirements of any bank, providing more protection against financial crisis.

Lawful holders of mutilated currency may receive a redemption at full value when: Clearly more than 50% of a note identifiable as United States currency is present, along with sufficient remnants of any relevant security feature; or.
The currency “may be exchanged at commercial banks.” You could tape the green stuff back together but be warned that merchants may not accept the bandaged bills. If you have, what the government refers to as, mutilated money then you can send the cash off to the Treasury for exchange.
Cash that's dirty, defaced, limp, torn, or worn is considered unfit for circulation. About 85% of these bills can be redeemed. To redeem yours, visit a local bank or credit union.
The currency “may be exchanged at commercial banks.” You could tape the green stuff back together but be warned that merchants may not accept the bandaged bills. If you have, what the government refers to as, “mutilated money” then you can send the cash off to the Treasury for exchange.
It is common for people to just put some Scotch tape on a bill when it gets ripped but that might not be the best way to deal with a “unfit” dollar bill. While some establishments may accept that “fixed” banknote, don't expect that to happen, and most likely a vending machine will reject it out right.
Under section 333 of the U.S. Criminal Code, “whoever mutilates, cuts, defaces, disfigures, or perforates, or unites or cements together, or does any other thing to any bank bill, draft, note, or other evidence of debt issued by any national banking association, or Federal Reserve bank, or the Federal Reserve System, ...
Criteria for Exchange of Damaged Banknotes
The Bank exchanges damaged banknotes, including those torn or burnt, according to the proportion of the part of the original banknote remaining, provided that both front and reverse sides of the banknote are maintained.
Mismatched note: means a mutilated note which has been formed by joining a half note of any one note to a half note of another note.
How to remove oil from currency notes?
- Create a cleaning solution with half plain water, half white vinegar. ...
- Lay the affected piece of paper out flat on a hard, waterproof surface. ...
- Moisten a cotton ball or swab with the cleaning solution and clean the spot. ...
- Dry the cleaned area by dabbing it with a dry paper towel and letting it air dry.
Redeeming process
The Reserve Bank recommends that owners of damaged banknotes submit their damaged banknotes to their bank/financial institution. These institutions are encouraged by the Reserve Bank to accept all claims.
Monetary damages are a form of judicial remedy that can be awarded to a claimant in compensation for an injury or loss wrong- fully inflicted. 1 This form of remedy is most commonly referred to simply as “damages.” The essence of damages is the payment of money as a release from civil liability.
Retail banks which say they accept old coins include: Barclays, Lloyds, HSBC, Nationwide, Santander, and Virgin Money. Like old notes, you can also exchange your old coins at the Post Office so long as they are in good condition.
To present a clearer picture of where society is heading, we round up some statistics about cashless societies below: Two-fifths of Americans used no cash in 2022 (Source: Pew Research) 13.4% of American consumers have stopped using cash completely in 2024, compared to 11% in 2022 (Source: Capital One Shopping)