Provisional credit

Provisional credit is a temporary credit that a bank adds to a cardholder’s account during a dispute investigation. It lets the customer access funds while the bank reviews the case.

Banks decide when to issue a provisional credit. It appears as a separate entry on the cardholder’s statement. The statement may show the credit but might not explain the reason. If needed, the cardholder can contact their bank to ask why the credit was issued and how long the review will take.

The amount of the provisional credit usually matches the disputed transaction. If the bank confirms that the transaction was incorrect or fraudulent, the credit becomes permanent. If the bank decides the cardholder is responsible for the charge, the credit is reversed.