## What is a Real-Time Balance Check?

- Jul 22, 2025
- Knowledge

### Information

**Title**  
What is a Real-Time Balance Check?

**Summary**  
Real-Time Balance Check is an add-on feature to [Instant Account Verification (IAV)](https://support.dwolla.com/s/article/What-options-does-Dwolla-offer-for-bank-account-verification) that allows businesses to retrieve the current and available balance of a bank account in real-time.

**How Balance Check Works**  
Balance Check is a key component of open banking, a system where third-party providers (TPPs) can access customer financial data— with the customer's consent—through APIs provided by traditional financial institutions. It enables businesses to check that a bank account has sufficient funds before initiating a transaction, reducing the likelihood of payment returns and associated costs.

**Key Features and Benefits of IAV and Real-Time Balance Check**  
1. **Real-Time Data**: Balance Check retrieves the real-time current and available balance of a bank account. This data helps businesses make a decision about whether or not to initiate a transaction and helps minimize the risk of returns.
2. **Improved User Experience**: IAV eliminates the need for slower, traditional bank account verification methods like micro-deposits, which can cause delays and lead to user drop-off. With IAV, users can continue through the payment flow without interruption.
3. **Lower Customer Service Burden**: IAV helps reduce the need for customer follow-up and troubleshooting, which are often required with bank account verification methods like micro-deposits.

**Requirements for Implementation**  
To implement Real-Time Balance Check, a business must first have Instant Account Verification (IAV) enabled. IAV checks that the account is valid and active before Real-Time Balance Check can retrieve the current and available balance.

**URL Name**  
What-is-a-Real-Time-Balance-Check