Which of the following would NOT be considered a nominal earnest money deposit, subject to the pooled interest-bearing account requirement?

• A. $1,000 personal check
• B. $2,000 certified funds
• C. $500 cash
• D. $11,000 cashier's check

Answer: (D)

In Washington real estate practice, brokers may place small earnest money deposits into a pooled, interest-bearing trust account to simplify handling of multiple minor funds. The crucial factor is the size of the deposit, not the form of payment. A cashier’s check for eleven thousand dollars is well above the nominal threshold, so it would not qualify for pooling and would instead be kept in a separate escrow/trust account specific to that transaction. The smaller deposits—such as a one thousand dollar personal check, two thousand dollars in certified funds, or five hundred dollars in cash—are considered nominal and would be eligible for the pooled account arrangement. The distinction matters because pooling allows earned interest to be handled collectively for nominal amounts, while larger deposits require individualized trust handling.