When you check the status of your bank account, you might discover that you have several balances, including one that is “available,” and that these balances’ amounts can vary. There are times when your available balance is less than your account balance.
The money you have on hand
The amount you can currently spend is known as your available balance. Consider it as “funds available for withdrawal.”. “There are many ways you can put the money to use.
You can withdraw that sum in cash from your account using an ATM or a bank teller. If you use a credit union that takes part in shared branching, you can even make cash withdrawals at other credit unions nationwide.
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Members can conduct banking business at any of the more than 5,000 participating credit unions in the shared branching network.
- Use your debit card to make purchases. Your checking account is where your card draws its funds from, so you can only use it if there are funds there. Make purchases online or by inserting or swiping your card at a card reader.
- From your checking account, checks are also funded. When you write a check, even if your bank says you still have the money, you should presume that the funds are no longer accessible. The transaction might not show up in your account for a few business days, or even longer if your payee holds off on depositing the check. However, the funds aren’t really “available.”. “You should keep a record of this. It’s simpler if you keep a check register or regularly balance your accounts.
- Whether you create the payment from your bank or your biller requests the funds from your bank, available funds may be used for online bill payment. If your billers deduct money from your account automatically, make sure to keep enough cash on hand to cover the loss.
Not Yet Available Funds
There are times when the available balance is less than the account balance. If you have unpaid checks, your spending limit will be your available balance. Your bank is holding the remainder of the funds.
A low available balance is the usual result of these two circumstances.
Deposits that you made haven’t yet been cleared and credited to your account.
Your account is the subject of authorized or pending withdrawals.
Deposits Are Not Credited
When you deposit checks into your account at your bank, you might not be able to use the money right away. They are unsure of the legitimacy of the payment, and it takes several days for the funds to transfer from the payee’s bank to yours.
Most banks allow you to use up to $200 by the next business day, though some do allow you to use your money sooner if you’ve had the account for a while and haven’t had a problem with bad checks being deposited. Tax refund checks and other government-issued checks might also be available more quickly, but because personal checks and checks from other countries are riskier, banks take longer to release those funds.
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In some circumstances, banks will even hold cashier’s checks for a few more days.
Even though this might be a hassle, these holds can keep you safe. If the check you deposited ultimately bounces, you are liable for any funds that have already been spent. If you use money from a bad check, you’ll have to pay fees to your bank and replace the funds in your account.
If the check you deposited is not honored and does not clear, you may also end up bouncing your own checks and accruing fees. By delaying your access to the funds, we give your bank a chance to verify the validity of the check.
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Even if your bank doesn’t place a hold on the check, if you have any
Authorizations and Withdrawals That Are Pending
If you’ve scheduled an upcoming payment using the bank’s online bill pay feature, funds may no longer be available to you because the bank is aware that the money has been already spoken for. Swiping your debit card has the same effect. Normally, that sum is immediately deducted from your balance.
Because merchants occasionally charge more than you intend to spend, debit cards can be particularly problematic. Gas stations, car rental companies, and hotels are where this occurs most frequently. When you swipe your card, some places automatically authorize $100 or more, and that money can be held hostage for up to a few business days before it can be released.
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Even though you won’t be able to use that money right away, it’s still useful to know how much could be available once all of those holds are released.
Other Accounts
Along with your available balance, your account may also have a “running balance” or “account balance” listed. Your entire bank account is represented by these balances, which include both held and available funds.
If you want to double-check your bank’s math, you can always balance your account yourself. Along with helping you catch errors, it’s a good way to keep track of your spending and prevent identity theft.
Note
You are frequently protected from mistakes and identity theft, but to take advantage of all the protection provided by federal law, you must act quickly.
How to Prevent Cash Squeezes
Cash enters your account quickly when you receive your paychecks via direct deposit. Enroll in electronic payments if you can so that money can be transferred straight from your employer’s bank account to yours. If the check is sent through the mail, you won’t have to wait for it, and you won’t have to make special efforts to deposit it.
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Some banks even offer same-day availability for these payments, so the money may even arrive in your account before the checks are printed.
You can guard against unforeseen costs and delays by keeping a cushion in your account. When a payment doesn’t clear as expected or at all, or when your bank places a larger-than-expected hold on your funds, having a small cash reserve on hand can help you avoid issues.
If you can’t manage a buffer, consider overdraft protection, but only enroll if you intend to use it as a backup plan-don’t make a habit of paying the associated fees. If possible, use a less expensive overdraft line of credit.
Question and Answer (FAQ) pages
What is the online process for checking my bank balance?
Numerous banks provide mobile apps that let you quickly check your balance from your phone. Layouts for apps vary. Look for an “accounts” tab if the account balances don’t appear right away when you launch the app because it might have more information. If you prefer not to use an app, you can access the “accounts” tab on your bank’s website.
If I close my account with a negative balance, what happens?
If you owe a bank money, it’s likely that you won’t be able to close your account. You can ask the bank to close your account, but they might refuse to do so until you pay off your debt.
doubts about a check, wait a while before spending the money.
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