That is backup witholding, and it cannot be returned. However, you can submit a form to the bank to have the w/h'ing stopped.
And Countrywide Bank is doing just fine!
It's their Home Loan side that is just starting to recover. And with BofA aquiring them come July, all should be okay on that side of things. Like DisneySteve said, FDIC will cover at least 100K (more if you add qualified bene's and/or a joint owner).