---
title: "Why is my bank payment pending? - Payhawk Help Center"
slug: "why-is-my-bank-payment-pending"
description: "Bank payments may remain pending due to processing times, regulatory checks or payment scheme rules; verify delays and contact Payhawk if necessary."
updated: 2026-08-19T08:53:32Z
published: 2026-08-19T08:53:32Z
canonical: "payhawk.com/why-is-my-bank-payment-pending"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://payhawk.com/help/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Why is my bank payment pending?

In some cases, a bank payment you've initiated, or an incoming deposit to your account, can still show as pending on Payhawk.

## Identifying the reasons for pending bank payments

Your bank payment can show as pending for one of the following reasons:

- Standard payment processing - Funds are first deducted from the sender’s account and credited to the beneficiary once the transfer completes, though transfers on non-business days or near holidays can face delays.
- Regulatory and due diligence checks - Larger or high-value payments can undergo additional regulatory checks and due diligence to ensure compliance with financial regulations, which can delay the funds appearing in your account.
- Banking and payment scheme factors - The method used to transfer funds can directly influence the processing time. SEPA Standard transfers can take up to 2 business days, while SEPA Instant offers immediate funds transfer if supported by your bank.

## Estimating payment processing times

The time required for payments to process and appear in your account depends on several factors.

- SEPA Standard transfers typically take up to 2 business days. Funds will only be credited to your Payhawk EUR balance after Payhawk has received and processed the funds.
- Transfers in other currencies or regions are standardly processed within 3-5 business days, excluding weekends or public holidays, which can influence the timeline. For example, payments initiated around U.S. holidays can be subject to delays.
- SEPA Instant transfers are used for faster services, and you can request that your sending bank uses SEPA Instant, if supported, to ensure immediate transfer of funds.

## Resolving delays on pending bank payments

If your bank payment remains pending beyond the expected timeframes, follow these steps:

1. Verify the timeframe - Confirm whether the initiated transfer is still within the standard processing window, for example, 3-5 business days or 1 day for SEPA transfers as applicable.
2. Check for external delays - Consider external factors such as public holidays or weekends which can result in delays with the transfer.
3. Contact Payhawk Support - [Contact the Payhawk Support team](/help/contacting-payhawk-support), if the funds are not credited even after accounting for external delays. Be prepared to share relevant details such as the payment date, amount, and any references provided by your bank.