Difference between account balance to available balance?

Answer 1

Let's say you have $100 in your account. You deposit another $100. Sometimes the bank will "hold" your deposit until the check clears, or until the next business day if you deposited it after the teller was on the "next day" (such as after 3PM, etc.). In that case, your account balance will be $200, and your available balance (the amount you can actually use) will be only $100. Usually cash deposits go right to the "available" because they don't have to "clear." If you are in a rush and need money in your account right away, contact the head teller and tell them:

1. You want to deposit the money with a teller still working on today and

2. You'd like them to approve the funds as immediately available.

Depending on your balance, if you ever bounced a check, how well they know you, the amount, etc. they will usually make some or all of it "available" which is the same as saying it goes into that balance. You can only cash a check or use an ATM for the available amount, not the account balance, and if you write a check, it will bounce if it is presented before the "available" amount reaches the amount of the check.