Title 31 — Money and FinanceRelease 119-73not60
§3303 Designation of Depositaries
Title 31 › Subtitle SUBTITLE III— FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT › Chapter 33— DEPOSITING, KEEPING, AND PAYING MONEY › Subchapter I— DEPOSITS AND DEPOSITARIES › § 3303
Summary
The Treasury Secretary picks banks and other places to hold government money under the law. If needed, the Secretary can name depositaries abroad and in U.S. territories, but must prefer safe U.S. financial institutions.
Full Legal Text
Title 31, §3303
Money and Finance — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)The Secretary of the Treasury designates depositaries of money as provided in this section and under other law.
(b)When necessary to carry out the business of the United States Government and under conditions the Secretary decides are necessary, the Secretary may designate depositaries in foreign countries and in territories and possessions of the United States to receive deposits of public money. The Secretary shall give preference to United States financial institutions the Secretary decides are safe and able to give the service required.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 3303(a)(no source). 3303(b)31:473.June 19, 1922, ch. 228, 42 Stat. 662. Subsection (a) is added to inform the reader that there are numerous other laws providing for the designation of depositaries. These other laws are scattered throughout the titles of the United States Code. In subsection (b), the words “carry out” are substituted for “transaction” for consistency. The words “terms and . . . as to security and otherwise” and “of public moneys” are omitted as surplus. The words “territories and possessions of the United States” are substituted for “Territories and insular possessions of the United States” for consistency. The words “to receive deposits of public money” are added for clarity.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
31 U.S.C. § 3303
Title 31 — Money and Finance
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60