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Bank of Canada

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Frequently Asked Questions

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How much money is held at the Bank of Canada as unclaimed balances?

At the end of December 2004, approximately 804,000 unclaimed balances, worth some $245 million, were on the Bank's books. Over 88% of these were under $500, representing 22% of the total value outstanding. The oldest balance dates back to 1900.

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Unclaimed Balances

What is an unclaimed balance?

An "unclaimed balance" is a Canadian-dollar deposit or negotiable instrument, issued or held by a federally regulated bank or trust company. It can be in the form of a deposit account, bank draft, certified cheque, deposit receipt, money order, GIC, term deposit, credit card balance, or traveller's cheque.

When there has been no owner activity in relation to the balance for a period of 10 years, and the owner cannot be contacted by the institution holding it, the balance is turned over to the Bank of Canada, which acts as custodian on behalf of the owner.

Searching for an unclaimed balance

 Use the search form to find unclaimed balances. If you are unable to use this form, you can also contact us by email, telephone, fax, or regular mail.