As a small business owner, you may encounter situations where you receive a payment that is pending or has been reversed. In these situations, provisional credit can provide you with temporary access to the funds while the payment is being investigated. In this blog, we will discuss everything you need to know about provisional credit, including what it is, how it works, and how to request it.
What is Provisional Credit? Provisional credit is a temporary credit that a financial institution provides to a customer when a payment is pending or has been reversed. Provisional credit provides the customer with access to the funds while the payment is being investigated, and it can be reversed if the investigation finds that the payment is invalid.
How Does Provisional Credit Work? When a payment is pending or has been reversed, the financial institution will investigate the transaction to determine its validity. During this investigation, the financial institution may provide provisional credit to the customer, giving them temporary access to the funds. If the investigation determines that the payment is valid, the provisional credit will become permanent, and the funds will be released to the customer. However, if the investigation finds that the payment is invalid, the provisional credit will be reversed, and the funds will be returned to the payer.
How to Request Provisional Credit If you encounter a situation where a payment is pending or has been reversed, you can request provisional credit from your financial institution. To request provisional credit, you will need to provide documentation to support your claim that the payment is valid. This documentation may include invoices, receipts, or other proof of the transaction.
It’s important to note that provisional credit is not guaranteed, and each financial institution has its own policies and procedures for providing it. You should review your financial institution’s policies and procedures for provisional credit and follow their instructions carefully.
In conclusion, provisional credit can provide temporary access to funds when a payment is pending or has been reversed. It’s essential to understand how provisional credit works, how to request it, and the documentation required to support your claim. By following the policies and procedures of your financial institution and providing the necessary documentation, you can increase your chances of receiving provisional credit and minimize the impact of a pending or reversed payment on your small business.