Pending transactions can impact your balance while we wait for the merchant to provide us with more information about the transaction (like a tip that may increase the transaction amount or the actual amount of fuel purchased vs the preauthorized amount).

What Pending Transactions Are and How to Spot Them

A pending transaction is a transaction that has been initiated or pre-authorized but has not been completed.

Pending transactions appear at the top of your Transactions list under PENDING as shown. ➡️ *The pending view only appears when you have transaction(s) currently in a pending state.

Why Pending Transactions Happen

• Merchants can initiate pending funds to ensure your account can cover the expected final amount, such as with gas or certain restaurant transactions.
• If a transaction is pending and has not cleared within the same business day, this may mean it was actually declined and will be returned to your account as soon as possible.
• Most merchants will reimburse pending transactions within 1–3 business days. However, if the reversal by the merchant does not process as expected, our bank will hold the transaction for the time frame shown below which varies depending on the type of merchant:
  • Fuel Purchase (gas/EV charging): up to 3 business days.
    • Fuel transactions generally post within 3 days but, depending on the merchant, can take 5 days or longer.
  • Everyday Purchase: up to 9 business days.
  • Hotel or Travel Purchase: up to 15 business days.

Tips to Avoid Pending Holds on Fuel Purchases

• Consider purchasing fuel from merchants that work best in your experience whenever possible.
  • Some gas stations (including Circle K and QuikTrip) have longer transaction processing times and higher minimum pending gas holds than others.
• Pay for fuel inside whenever possible.
  • By paying inside and asking for a specific dollar amount of fuel, you avoid having a pending hold placed on your account that typically occurs if your card is used at the pump.

After Pending Holds Are Released

• Once a pending transaction is released, you will no longer have visibility of the pending transaction in our app.
• If a charge is pre-authorized and then canceled, the merchant never truly receives the funds. In this case, the funds are held until the merchant notifies our bank that the transaction was canceled. Then the funds are released.
  • This works differently than a refund. With a refund, the merchant receives the money and then sends it back. This is why refunds will show the original transaction and the refund listed as separate line items in your transaction history.

Important to Note:

• If a debit card transaction is ever declined but you still see it pending on your account, please reach out to the merchant directly to make sure that it was properly processed and to see if they can release those funds to you.
  • If the merchant advises they have already released funds but your account still shows the transaction as pending, you will likely see the related pending transaction canceled in one to three business days.

Related Articles:

• How do I contact Branch?
• Why was my purchase declined?
• When can I expect a refund from a merchant?

Branch is not a bank. Banking services are provided by Lead Bank, Member FDIC and Evolve Bank & Trust, Member FDIC, which are Branch’s bank partners. The name of the bank partner for your account is listed on the back of your debit card and can also be found in the Branch App under “Your Account Information”. FDIC insurance only applies to eligible accounts should the bank holding your funds fail. Branch Mastercard Debit Cards are issued by Evolve Bank & Trust or Lead Bank, Member FDIC, as applicable, pursuant to a license from Mastercard and may be used everywhere Mastercard debit cards are accepted.