I mailed my mortgage payment before the due date. But the bank received it one day after the due date, and I was charged a late fee. Can it do this?
Yes. When considering timeliness of a payment, banks are not obligated to honor postmarked dates. In determining lateness, the bank goes by when the payment is received, not when it was mailed.
Generally, the bank must credit a periodic payment (covering principal, interest, and escrow amounts) to the consumer's loan account as of the date of receipt, except when a delay in crediting does not result in any charge to the consumer or in the reporting of negative information to a consumer reporting agency.
Last Reviewed: April 2021
Please note: The terms "bank" and "banks" used in these answers generally refer to national banks, federal savings associations, and federal branches or agencies of foreign banking organizations that are regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). Find out if the OCC regulates your bank. Information provided on HelpWithMyBank.gov should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion of the OCC.