Cite as: 516 U. S. 16 (1995)
Opinion of the Court
Irving E. Walker argued the cause for petitioner. With him on the briefs were James R. Eyler and Jefferson V. Wright.
Miguel A. Estrada argued the cause for the United States
as amicus curiae urging reversal. With him on the brief were Solicitor General Days, Assistant Attorney General Argrett, Deputy Solicitor General Wallace, Kent L. Jones, and Gary D. Gray.
Roger Schlossberg argued the cause for respondent. With him on the brief were John R. Owen, Jr., Brian R. Seeber, and Gregory P. Johnson.*
Justice Scalia delivered the opinion of the Court. We must decide whether the creditor of a debtor in bankruptcy may, in order to protect its setoff rights, temporarily withhold payment of a debt that it owes to the debtor in bankruptcy without violating the automatic stay imposed by 11 U. S. C. § 362(a).
I
On January 25, 1991, when respondent filed for relief under Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code, he had a checking account with petitioner, a bank conducting business in the State of Maryland. He also was in default on the remaining balance of a loan of $5,068.75 from the bank. Under 11 U. S. C. § 362(a), respondent's bankruptcy filing gave rise to an automatic stay of various types of activity by his creditors, including "the setoff of any debt owing to the debtor that arose before the commencement of the [bankruptcy case] against any claim against the debtor." § 362(a)(7).
On October 2, 1991, petitioner placed what it termed an "administrative hold" on so much of respondent's account as
*Briefs of amici curiae urging reversal were filed for BankAmerica Corp. by Harold R. Lichterman and Michael J. Halloran; and for the New York Clearing House Association et al. by Bruce E. Clark, Norman R. Nelson, John J. Gill III, Michael F. Crotty, Leonard J. Rubin, John H. Culver III, and Charles P. Seibold.
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