(FRANKFORT, Ky.) — Kentucky State Treasurer Mark H. Metcalf is calling on residents across the Commonwealth to check whether the state is holding unclaimed money in their name, following his administration’s return of a record $86 million to rightful owners since he took office.
The announcement comes on the heels of National Unclaimed Property Day, with Metcalf emphasizing that billions of dollars in forgotten assets remain in state custody waiting to be claimed by individuals, businesses, and organizations.
“Every dollar we return is a dollar back in the hands of families, small businesses, and nonprofits,” Metcalf said in a statement released Sunday. “That’s why we’ve focused on making this program faster, more transparent, and easier to use.”
Unclaimed property includes forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance proceeds, utility deposits, and other assets that have been turned over to the Kentucky State Treasury for safekeeping. State law requires financial institutions and businesses to transfer dormant accounts to the Treasury after a specified period of inactivity.
The Treasurer’s Office maintains these funds indefinitely and works year-round to locate and notify rightful owners. Unlike some assets that may be forfeited to the state in other contexts, unclaimed property can be claimed at any time without a statute of limitations.
“We’re not here to sit on money—we’re here to return it,” Metcalf said. “Being a good steward of the people’s assets means cutting through red tape and reconnecting Kentuckians with what’s rightfully theirs.”
The $86 million returned under Metcalf’s tenure represents a significant increase in reuniting citizens with their property, though the Treasurer’s Office did not immediately provide comparative figures from previous administrations.
Kentucky residents can search for unclaimed property free of charge at treasury.ky.gov or www.MissingMoney.com, a national database. Both searches are secure and take only minutes to complete. Claims can typically be filed online, with the Treasurer’s Office processing requests and issuing payments once ownership is verified.
Financial experts recommend checking for unclaimed property periodically, as new assets are added regularly when accounts become dormant or businesses lose contact with customers.
