What is batch settlement? How a day's card payments reach your bank
By SendPay Business · · 2 min read
- 1Your card appears in your app
- 2Tap it to pay in a shop
- 3See every payment as it happens
When customers pay by card, the money doesn't reach your bank one payment at a time. Card machines and payment providers usually group the day's approved payments into a batch and send it off for settlement together.
How batch settlement works
- Each card payment is authorised when the customer pays.
- At the end of the day, the terminal or provider closes the batch, often automatically.
- The batch goes to the acquirer, which clears it through the card networks.
- The money, minus fees, is paid to the business's account, often within a few business days.
Why closing the batch matters
Payments that aren't sent for settlement can be delayed, and authorisations can expire if left too long. Most modern terminals close batches automatically, but it's worth checking.
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What can slow it down
Weekends and bank holidays, new-account holds, unusually large payments and risk reviews can all mean settlement takes longer than usual.
Where SendPay fits
SendPay doesn't offer card machines or acquiring. SendPay platforms let you get paid with payment links, invoices and subscriptions, alongside GBP, EUR and USD accounts and branded Visa cards, powered by licensed partners.
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- 2Choose what it does
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- 🪪A free business accountOpen it in about a minute with your business name, email, password and mobile. No card and no documents to start.
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SendPay Business is a technology company, not a bank. Accounts, cards and payments are powered by licensed partners.
Questions people ask
Does my payout add up?
Check what should have arrived against what did.
Payout reconciliation calculator →How much money is tied up waiting for settlement?
Work it out from your takings and payout days in the free calculator.
Payment float calculator →Read next
Spotted a mistake or something out of date? and we'll fix it. How our guides are made
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. SendPay Business is a technology company, not a bank, and does not take deposits; regulated services on the platforms are provided by licensed partners. Other companies named in this guide are reference points only and are not affiliated with SendPay Business.