Why is my transaction pending?

Stephanie Boukhari
2026-03-31T14:28:01Z

A transaction marked as pending means it has been initiated successfully but has not yet fully completed. The funds have not been rejected or lost—they are still being processed.

Why might my transaction be pending?

There are several common reasons:

Merchant processing delays - the merchant or business you are paying may not yet have submitted the final transaction details for settlement. This is common with online retailers, who often only complete the charge once goods have been dispatched.

Bank or payment network processing times - transactions often pass through one or more third-party banks or payment networks, each with their own processing schedules.

Cut-off times - payments submitted after daily cut-off times, at weekends, or on public holidays may not be processed until the next working day.

Additional checks - for regulatory and security reasons, some transactions require additional compliance or fraud-prevention checks, which can add time.

Incorrect or incomplete details - missing or incorrect beneficiary information (such as an account number, IBAN, or payment reference) can delay processing.

Currency or cross-border payments - international payments or less commonly used currencies may take longer due to intermediary banks or local clearing systems.

Does “pending” mean my payment has failed?

No. A pending status does not mean the transaction has failed. It simply means the payment is still being processed. If a payment cannot be completed, the status will update and funds will usually be returned to your account.

How long can a transaction remain pending?

Processing times vary depending on:

The payment method

The currency involved

The destination country

Whether intermediary banks or merchants are involved

Most transactions complete within 1–3 working days, although some may take longer in certain circumstances.

Can Centtrip speed up a pending transaction?

Centtrip processes transactions as quickly as possible. However, once a payment has been passed to external banks, merchants, or payment networks, Centtrip cannot always influence their processing times.

What should I do if a transaction has been pending longer than expected?