Why is my available balance and current balance different?

Asked by: Selena Feil  |  Last update: October 10, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (74 votes)

The current balance listed in your account includes any transactions that are pending but have not yet cleared. As such, the current balance might be listed as higher than the available balance — in other words, the current balance can be an amount that's greater than what you're able to withdraw from the account.

Why do current and available balances sometimes show different amounts?

The available balance for your account may differ from the current balance because of pending transactions that have been presented against the account, but have not yet been processed. Once processed, the transactions are reflected in the current balance and show in the account history.

How long does it take for current balance to become available balance?

Depending on the type of transaction, it could take anywhere from a few seconds to several business days for a purchase or a deposit to be processed, also known as “settling” or “clearing.” But while the transaction is being processed, the debit or credit won't impact your current balance; it will only impact your ...

Why do my available credit and current balance not match?

Your current balance is the total of all the posted transactions as of the previous business day. Your available credit is figured by subtracting your current balance (or amount already used) from your credit limit and adding any outstanding charges that have not posted yet.

Why is my available balance and present balance different?

Your present account balance (sometimes called the current balance) shows how much money is currently in your bank account—but it doesn't consider pending transactions, which can take up to three business days to clear. That means your present balance will probably run higher than your available balance.

Why is my available balance and current balance different?

21 related questions found

Why are my current balance and available balance different?

The current balance listed in your account includes any transactions that are pending but have not yet cleared. As such, the current balance might be listed as higher than the available balance — in other words, the current balance can be an amount that's greater than what you're able to withdraw from the account.

How long does it take for a check to clear?

Generally, it takes two to five business days to get all the funds from a check into your account. However, some factors might hold up the check-clearing process, like the status of your account or the place where you deposited the check.

Why is my available balance incorrect?

Your available balance is your current balance minus any holds or debits that haven't yet been posted to the account. If you have no holds or pending transactions, the two balances are likely the same. But if you use your debit card regularly or you recently deposited a large check, the two balances may be different.

Is current or available balance more accurate?

Your available balance is the more accurate snapshot of how much money you have in the account since it does reflect pending transactions.

Is the current balance what I owe?

So, what's the difference? Your statement balance typically shows what you owe on your credit card at the end of your last billing cycle. Your current balance, however, will typically reflect the total amount that you owe at any given moment.

Can I spend my current balance or available credit?

While it's fine to use your available credit, it is important to monitor both your current balance and available credit, as well as your available funds to pay at least the minimum payment due at the end of each billing cycle.

How often does current balance update?

Your current balance updates whenever you make a purchase or a payment, while your statement balance is decided at the end of the month. Whether your goal is to use credit cards for convenience or to earn rewards as you spend, understanding how your card works is crucial to managing your account responsibly.

Why do I suddenly have more money in my bank account?

Receiving an unexpected cheque or deposit into your bank account can happen for all sorts of reasons, from a banking error to an overpayment from your employer, but while it may sound like a dream come true, the reality can be quite different.

Can I spend money that is pending?

A pending transaction can place a hold on your account balance and count toward your credit limit until it is processed. That doesn't necessarily mean you can't use your credit card or bank account. But it can affect your available balance—or the funds you're able to access.

Why is my available balance not updating?

Your total and available balances may vary if your account has pending check deposits, debit card purchases and ATM transactions that haven't cleared the account yet.

Why is my current balance and amount due different?

To calculate your amount due, we take your total balance, subtract the current balance of any Installment Plans you have and add the monthly installment payments due. If you don't have any active Installment Plans, your total balance and amount due are the same, unless you have a credit balance.

Why is my current balance different from my available?

Available balance is how much money you are able to spend right now, including any pending transactions. Meanwhile, the current balance shows how much money is in your account without subtracting pending payments or withdrawals. Current balance can be useful in some situations, like when doing your monthly budgeting.

Why are my account balance and available balance different?

Your available balance is the total amount of money in your account that you can use for purchases and withdrawals, as it excludes pending transactions and check holds from your account balance. However, the available balance will not show checks that haven't been cashed or deposits which haven't posted.

Can I withdraw money from my current balance?

Put simply, your current balance in a checking account is your total amount, why may include pending transactions, while your available balance specifies the actual amount you can withdraw at that point in time. In other words, your bank will allow withdrawals up to your available balance.

Why does my available credit and current balance not match?

Why is my available credit less than my credit limit? You can think of available credit as your credit limit minus your current balance. If you have outstanding charges on your credit card, they will reduce your available credit.

Why my account is not showing correct balance?

An incorrect bank balance happens because the data hasn't been reconciled to the bank correctly. It is up to you to check that the opening balance is correct and that the bank balance is correct after each bank statement import (or after entering any transactions manually).

Why is my running balance different from available balance?

“Balance” is the amount without any known pending amounts calculated. It may or may not match the “Available” balance. The difference between these amounts is your pending items or holds.

Can I make a check clear faster?

Check Type

In-House Checks: If the check is drawn from the same bank where you deposit it, the process may be quicker. Certified and Cashier's Checks: These are considered 'guaranteed funds' and often clear faster than personal checks.

How do you know when a check will clear?

When you deposit a check, you typically get a receipt that specifies when the funds will be available. The funds-availability date on the receipt can tell you when it may be time to contact the bank regarding hold inquiries. If you don't receive a receipt, however, consider contacting your bank.

How long does it take for money to go into your bank account?

As a result, most bank transfers are instantaneous, although in some cases, payment can take up to two hours. It's important to remember that while Faster Payments aims to provide you with these types of bank transfer times, there's no guarantee that your payment will be cleared on the same day.