Title 12 — Banks and BankingRelease 119-73
§1977 Limitation of actions; suspension of limitations
Title 12 › Chapter CHAPTER 22— - TYING ARRANGEMENTS › § 1977
Summary
You must start any lawsuit under this chapter within four years after the claim comes up. If you wait longer, you can't sue. If the United States starts an enforcement case about the same matter, the four-year clock pauses while that case is active and for one year after it ends. If the clock is paused, you must file your private suit either during the pause or within the four-year period, or you can't sue.
Full Legal Text
Title 12, §1977
Banks and Banking — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(1)Subject to paragraph (2), any action to enforce any cause of action under this chapter shall be forever barred unless commenced within four years after the cause of action accrued.
(2)Whenever any enforcement action is instituted by or on behalf of the United States with respect to any matter which is or could be the subject of a private right of action under this chapter, the running of the statute of limitations in respect of every private right of action arising under this chapter and based in whole or in part on such matter shall be suspended during the pendency of the enforcement action so instituted and for one year thereafter: Provided, That whenever the running of the statute of limitations in respect of a cause of action arising under this chapter is suspended under this paragraph, any action to enforce such cause of action shall be forever barred unless commenced either within the period of suspension or within the four-year period referred to in paragraph (1).
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
12 U.S.C. § 1977
Title 12 — Banks and Banking
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73