10/25/2026
Ever wonder why a sale shows as "approved" but the money doesn't hit your account for a day or two? There are actually three separate steps happening behind the scenes.
1. Authorization — the card issuer checks that funds are available and puts a temporary hold on them.
2. Capture — you confirm the sale is final and ready to be collected (this can happen right at checkout or later, depending on your business).
3. Settlement — the money actually moves from the card network to your merchant account.
That gap between "approved" and "funds in the bank" is settlement time, and it's normal. But if you're capturing payments too early (before you ship or deliver) or letting authorizations sit too long, it can lead to failed charges or extra admin work.
Understanding this flow helps you plan cash flow better and avoid payment hiccups.
Questions about how this works for your business? Send us a message.