The simplest way to balance your SunTrust account

Balancing your SunTrust checking account means comparing what the bank says you have against what you think you have, then finding and fixing any differences. The fastest way is to use SunTrust's online banking or mobile app — both show your balance in real time and let you see every transaction the bank has recorded.

Start by logging into your SunTrust account online or through the SunTrust mobile app. Look at your current balance (the number shown right now) and your available balance (the money you can actually spend today — sometimes lower because recent deposits or checks haven't fully cleared yet). Write down both numbers. Then gather your own records: your checkbook register if you still keep one, or a list of transactions you've made since your last statement.

Compare your list to what SunTrust shows. Mark off each transaction that matches. Any transaction on your list that SunTrust doesn't show yet is still pending — the bank will record it soon. Any transaction SunTrust shows that you don't have written down is something you forgot to record, or a fee or automatic payment you didn't expect.

Key Takeaways

  • Your current balance is what SunTrust says you have right now; your available balance is what you can actually spend today, and the two may differ while transactions are clearing.
  • The SunTrust mobile app and online banking show transactions in real time, so you can balance your account without waiting for a paper statement.
  • Pending transactions — ones you made but SunTrust hasn't recorded yet — will show up within one to three business days for most deposits and payments.
  • If your balance doesn't match after you account for pending items, look for duplicate charges, forgotten automatic payments, or fees you didn't expect.

Understanding pending transactions and clearing times

A pending transaction is money you've spent or deposited, but SunTrust hasn't finished processing it yet. When you swipe your debit card at a store, the transaction shows as pending when ready, but the bank doesn't actually move the money for one to three business days. During that time, the money is still yours — you can still spend it — but SunTrust is holding it aside to make sure the transaction is real.

This is why your available balance can be lower than your current balance. If you have $500 in your account and you swipe your debit card for $100, SunTrust might show your current balance as $500 but your available balance as $400. The $100 is pending. Once the store's bank confirms the transaction (usually within one business day), SunTrust will move the money and both balances will show $400.

Checks take longer. When you write a check, it doesn't hit your account until the person who receives it deposits it at their bank. That can take three to seven business days, depending on the banks involved. Until then, SunTrust won't show it as a transaction, but you should still subtract it from your balance in your own records so you don't accidentally spend the money twice.

Using your SunTrust statement to find missing transactions

SunTrust sends you a statement once a month — either by mail or email, depending on what you chose when you opened the account. The statement lists every transaction the bank processed during that month, plus your opening balance, closing balance, and any fees you were charged.

To balance using your statement, start with the opening balance (the number at the top of the statement). Add any deposits that appear on the statement. Subtract any withdrawals and fees. The number you end up with should match the closing balance at the bottom of the statement. If it does, your statement balances.

Next, compare the statement to your own records. Look for transactions on the statement that you didn't write down — these are usually fees, automatic payments, or transfers you forgot about. Look for transactions you wrote down that don't appear on the statement — these are pending items that will show up next month. Once you account for all the differences, your records should match the statement.

What to do if your balance doesn't match

If you've accounted for all pending transactions and your balance still doesn't match, start by looking for the most common mistakes: a transaction you recorded twice by accident, a fee you didn't expect, or an automatic payment that came out on a date you forgot.

Check your SunTrust account for any fees. SunTrust charges a monthly maintenance fee on some checking accounts (though some accounts waive it if you meet certain conditions, like keeping a minimum balance or setting up direct deposit). Look for overdraft fees if you've spent more than you had. Search for any transfers you don't remember making — sometimes automatic bill payments or transfers between your own accounts can be straightforward to forget.

If you still can't find the problem, look at the dates. Make sure you're comparing transactions from the same time period. If you're looking at your statement from January but you're comparing it to transactions from December, the numbers won't match. Also check that you haven't missed a transaction that's partially hidden — sometimes long merchant names get cut off in the app.

If you've done all this and still can't find the discrepancy, contact SunTrust directly. Call the number on the back of your debit card or log into your account and use the find message feature to ask about a specific transaction. SunTrust can tell you exactly when a transaction posted and what it was for.

Setting up automatic balance checks

Rather than balancing once a month, you can check your balance weekly or even daily using the SunTrust mobile app. This catches problems faster and means you're less likely to accidentally overdraw your account.

Set a reminder on your phone for the same day each week — say, every Sunday evening. Spend five minutes logging into the app, looking at your transactions for the past week, and making sure nothing surprises you. If you see a charge you don't recognize, you can contact SunTrust right away instead of waiting until your statement arrives.

You can also set up balance alerts in the SunTrust app. These send you a notification when your balance drops below a number you choose — say, $200. This won't balance your account for you, but it will warn you before you accidentally overdraw.

Reconciling your checkbook register

If you still write checks or keep a paper record of your spending, you'll want to reconcile your checkbook register — that's the small book that comes with your checks where you write down each check number, amount, and date.

Start with the balance you wrote down in your register. Add any deposits you've made since then. Subtract any checks you've written and any debit card transactions. Subtract any fees SunTrust has charged. The number you end up with should match your current balance in the SunTrust app.

If it doesn't, go through your register line by line and compare it to your SunTrust transactions. Look for checks that haven't cleared yet — these will be in your register but not in SunTrust. Look for transactions in SunTrust that you didn't write down in your register. Once you've marked everything off, the two should match.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a deposit to show up in my SunTrust account?

Mobile deposits (photos of checks through the app) usually show as pending within a few minutes and clear within one business day. In-person deposits at a SunTrust branch show up when ready. Transfers from another bank take one to three business days, depending on the other bank.

Why does my available balance say I have less money than my current balance?

Your available balance subtracts pending transactions — ones you've made but the bank hasn't finished processing yet. Once those transactions clear, your available balance will match your current balance. Don't spend money based on your current balance if your available balance is lower.

What should I do if I see a transaction in SunTrust that I didn't make?

Contact SunTrust when ready using the phone number on the back of your debit card or through the find message feature in your online account. Report the transaction and ask SunTrust to investigate. SunTrust can freeze your account and issue you a new debit card if fraud is suspected.

Can I balance my SunTrust account on the mobile app, or do I need to use a computer?

You can balance your account entirely on the mobile app. The app shows your current balance, available balance, and all transactions in real time. Many people find it easier than using a computer because they can check it anywhere, anytime.

What if I wrote a check months ago and it still hasn't cleared?

Checks older than six months are considered stale and most banks won't cash them. If you wrote a check that's been pending for more than a month, contact the person who received it and ask whether they've deposited it. If they haven't, you can stop payment on the check through SunTrust (there may be a small fee) and write a new one.