WHat is the different between available balance and current balance?

Online banking: Is my available balance what I can spend now?

• I'm very new to all of this. So be kind to my stupidity. LOL! I had $1.64 in my checking account earlier today and then deposited $496, bringing me to $497.64. Here's the thing. - My online account activity says the deposit I made is PENDING. - It says my AVAILABLE BALANCE is $497.64. Those two things seem kinda contradictory, don't they? I mean, if the transaction is only pending, why has my available balance increased? And if my available balance has increased, why does the transaction say it's only pending? So here's my main question. If my available balance says $497.64, is that something I can spend now, or do I wait until the PENDING goes away?

• Answer:

  you did not mention if the deposit was cash or check. if it was a check that was deposited, the pending would refer to the processing of the check. checks are processed m-f usually at the end of the banking day. sat., sun., &holidays wait until the end of the next banking day. so while your funds are there, full usage is not truly available to you pending the approval of the check deposit made.