What is the Difference Between Current Balance vs. Statement Balance?
Most consumers use credit cards monthly, as developed economies rely heavily on debt-driven consumerism. Managing credit card balances is the responsibility of consumers, and credit card issuers mail a monthly statement, listing all transactions during the billing cycle. Each bill lists different terms, but the two most confusing ones are current balance and statement balance. Confusing them can lead to overdraft charges, an embarrassing payment rejection at the point of service, or adding to the “current balance lower than statement balance” confusion.
Here is the difference between current balance vs. statement balance:
- The current balance is the total amount owed to the credit card company
- The statement balance only lists the amount owed during the billing cycle, usually 30 days, but it can vary between credit card issuers
Noteworthy:
- The current balance and the statement balance affect your credit score
- Paying off the statement balance before the payment date results in zero interest payments
Current Balance Meaning Explained
Before using credit cards, consumers must know the current balance definition to avoid confusion when balancing their finances. Each credit card has a limit, and consumers cannot exceed it. Any attempt to pay for a product or service above the limit results in a payment rejection. It leads to frustration online and a potential embarrassment in public.
The current balance offers a real-time snapshot of the credit card balance. Once it reaches the limit, consumers cannot use it anymore until they lower their credit card debt.
The current balance shows up-to-date transactions, including:
- Purchases (outgoing)
- Interest (outgoing)
- Fees (outgoing)
- Penalties (outgoing)
- Credits (incoming)
Frequent credit card users will notice a difference between their current balance and their statement balance, which is where the confusion begins.
Here is a current balance example:
- Assume you have a credit card limit of $3,000
- Your current balance stands at $2,200, the amount you currently owe
- Your monthly billing cycle, the statement balance, begins June 21st and ends July 20th
- Between June 21st and July 20th, you purchase goods and services worth $600
- Checking your credit card statement online on July 20th will show a current balance of $2,800 and a statement balance of $600
- Making a $75 purchase with the same credit card on July 21st will change the current balance to $2,875 while the statement balance remains at $600
- Attempting a $150 purchase would result in rejection, as it exceeds the credit card limit of $3,000, but some confuse the statement balance as the total they owe, believing they have more money to spend
- The current balance is up-to-date and cannot exceed the credit card limit
What is the Statement Balance?
Your statement balance reflects all transactions during your billing cycle. Credit card companies list the billing cycle in the terms and conditions, and while it can differ, most use a 30- day cycle, but it could range between 25 and 45 days.
The credit card company produces the statement balance on the last day of the billing cycle. Each one has a final payment date. For example, if it covers the period Between June 21st and July 20th, consumers may have until August 5th to pay the entire statement balance without incurring interest rate fees. Therefore, if a consumer spent $600 during a billing cycle and repaid the $600, it was interest-free.
With each statement, the credit card company adds a minimum payment, and failure to pay it could result in penalties and additional fees. A partial payment will result in the remaining balance carrying over to the next month and accruing interest.
The Relationship Between Credit and Balances
Understanding the current balance meaning and the relationship between credit and balances will help consumer balance their finances. Revolving consumer credits, like credit cards, have an upper limit.
Balances change with credit card usage, where the current balance reflects the up-to-date balance. The statement balance covers all transactions during a set payment cycle, like 30 days. It also offers consumers to repay the balance interest-free.
Consumers should pay close attention to their monthly statement balance and aim to repay it, but, regrettably, most fail to do so, adding to the growing household debt mountain. Per 2020 data from the OECD, US household debt reflected 101% of net disposable income, while Norway led the statistic at 246%. Household debt has a significant negative impact on future GDP, especially versus corporate debt. The effects last notably longer, as consumers borrow from the future output if they fail to repay their statement balances.
Current Balance vs. Available Balance, What is the Difference?
Most consumers in the developed world have a checking account but failing to balance it can result in overdraft fees.
Here is the current balance vs. available balance difference:
- The current balance reflects the total balance of a checking account, including received payments the bank was unable to clear
- The available balance shows how much money a consumer has minus pending transactions
For example:
- Your current balance is $250
- You make a purchase of $60 with your debit card
- Since the transaction is pending, your current balance reads $250, but your available one is $190
- Should you have a $200 payment that should clear, the bank may honor it, but you will face an overdraft fee
Current Balance vs. Vested Balance Difference
A vested balance refers to the money a consumer owns 100%. A checking account or a retirement account belongs to the owner, but there could be a difference between the current balance and the vested balance.
Here are two examples:
- In a checking account, the current balance could be higher than the vested balance as the bank received a payment, but it has not cleared yet
- In a retirement account, employer contributions could have a vested period, for example, six months, before the employee has 100% ownership
Which Balance Should You Pay?
Credit card users often make the current balance vs. payoff amount mistake, resulting in stagnant balances despite monthly payments. A credit card issuer will list a payoff amount, which services the debt but fails to lower the current balance, resulting in an ongoing income stream for the credit card issuers but debt problems for consumers. Therefore, consumers should pay the available balance before the payment date.
Current Balance Conclusion
Knowing the current balance meaning remains fundamental to balancing accounts and avoiding penalties and interest rate charges on credit cards. The current balance reflects the up-to-date account condition, and credit card consumers should consider it. Checking accounts show an available balance. It reflects a more accurate snapshot of how much a consumer can spend.
FAQs
Can I spend my current balance?
Consumers can spend their current balance but must consider pending transactions, making the available balance a more reliable indicator.
Does current balance mean how much you owe?
The current balance on a credit card is the balance consumers owe.
Why is my current balance higher than my available balance?
Some transactions take a few days for banks to clear, like a check deposit. Therefore, the amount shows up in the current balance, but the bank does not release it into the available balance until the payment has cleared.