
Bank statements are a crucial document for anyone with a bank account. They provide a detailed record of all transactions, including deposits, withdrawals, and payments.
A bank statement typically includes information about the account holder, such as their name, account number, and address. This ensures that all transactions are accurately linked to the correct account.
Bank statements can be issued monthly, quarterly, or annually, depending on the bank's policies and the account holder's preferences. Some banks also offer online statements that can be accessed through their website or mobile app.
By reviewing your bank statement regularly, you can catch any errors or discrepancies in a timely manner. This helps prevent potential issues from escalating into bigger problems.
What is a Bank Statement?
A bank statement is an official document that summarizes all the transactions carried out on a payment account.
Banks generally provide bank statements free of charge, but some may charge a fee for more frequent statements, like Société Générale charges €18 per year for sending bank account statements twice a month.
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Your bank statement will include a record of all the banking transactions, including deposits, withdrawals, and transfers.
The statement will also show the starting and ending balances of the account, your account number, and other important account information.
You can usually choose to receive bank statements every week or twice a month, but some banks may only send them monthly or quarterly.
Receiving bank statements regularly can help you stay on top of your finances and catch any errors or suspicious activity.
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How Bank Statements Work
A bank statement is a detailed record of all the transactions in your account, sent to you by the bank. It's usually sent monthly or quarterly, unless you've made at least one electronic fund transfer that month.
Banks and credit unions aren't required to send you a monthly statement unless you've made at least one electronic fund transfer that month, which includes ATM and debit card transactions, online bill payments, direct deposits, and recurring automatic deduction payments.
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The statement will show all the transactions processed in your account, in chronological order. This means you can easily see where your money is going and where it's coming from.
Banks must keep records of any deposit of over $100 for at least five years.
A bank statement typically contains the following information:
- Statement period: the time frame covered within your statement
- Starting and ending account balances
- All completed transactions for the time period, shown in chronological order
- Fees and any interest earned
- Bank information, such as the issuing bank, account number, and contact details
Here's a breakdown of the types of transactions you can expect to see on your statement:
- Debit transactions: withdrawals, outgoing payments, debits, or transfers
- Credit transactions: incoming payments, cash and check deposits
- Transaction date: the date on which the transaction was carried out
- Value date: the date on which the transaction was posted in the account by the bank
- Nature of each transaction: a description of what the transaction was for
- Balance at the start and end of the period: the initial balance and the new balance after all transactions have been processed
Benefits and Requirements
Bank statements are a vital tool for account holders to keep track of their finances and identify errors. You should verify bank accounts regularly to ensure your records match the bank's.
Account holders can check for discrepancies while reconciling their bank account with the bank statement. Discrepancies must be reported to the bank promptly, and you may have as little as 30 days to dispute errors, but timelines vary by account and state.
A bank statement typically includes information about the bank's address and contact information, account information, the statement date, and the total number of days in the statement period. It also details each transaction, including deposits, withdrawals, checks paid, fees or service charges, and interest earned.
Here are the typical parts of a bank statement:
- The bank's address and contact information
- Account information
- The statement date
- Total number of days in the statement period, or the period's beginning and ending dates
- Beginning and ending balance of the account
Benefits of

Bank statements are a great tool to help account holders keep track of their finances.
You should verify bank accounts regularly, such as daily, weekly, or monthly, to ensure your records match the bank's, which helps reduce overdraft fees, errors, and fraud.
Discrepancies can be identified while reconciling your bank account with the bank statement, and you should report them to the bank promptly.
Account holders may have as little as 30 days to dispute errors, but timelines vary by account and state.
Core Requirements
A bank statement is a crucial document that provides a snapshot of your account's activity over a specific period. It's essential to know what to look for in a bank statement to ensure you're accurately tracking your finances.
The bank's address and contact information are typically included at the top of the statement. This information is usually printed or displayed prominently.
A bank statement includes various sections that detail your account's activity. These sections include the statement date, total number of days in the statement period, and the period's beginning and ending dates.

You'll also find information about your account's beginning and ending balance. This is a critical piece of information that helps you understand how your account has changed over the period.
Details of each transaction are also included in a bank statement. These transactions can be deposits, withdrawals, checks paid, fees or service charges debited from the account, or interest earned on accounts.
Here are the key components of a bank statement:
- The bank's address and contact information
- Account information
- The statement date
- Total number of days in the statement period, or the period's beginning and ending dates
- Beginning and ending balance of the account
- Details of each transaction, including deposits, withdrawals, checks paid, fees or service charges, and interest earned
Transaction History and Ledger
Your bank statement is a treasure trove of information about your account activity.
The statement period, which is the time frame covered within your statement, is usually a month long, but it can vary depending on your bank.
Each transaction is recorded in chronological order, with the transaction date and value date clearly indicated. You can expect to see debit transactions, such as withdrawals and outgoing payments, and credit transactions, like incoming payments and cash and check deposits.
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The debit and credit columns will show you the exact amount of each transaction, as well as the nature of each transaction, which is a brief description.
Your bank statement will also show you the starting and ending balances, so you can quickly gauge where your money is trending.
Here's a breakdown of what you can expect to see in the transaction history section of your bank statement:
* Debit transactions:
+ Withdrawals
+ Outgoing payments
+ Debits
+ Transfers
* Credit transactions:
+ Incoming payments
+ Cash and check deposits
- Transaction date
- Value date
- Nature of each transaction (description)
By reviewing your transaction history, you can identify any suspicious activity, track your spending, and make informed decisions about your finances.
Record Keeping and Disputes
Banks keep records of bank statements for a minimum of five years for accounts with over $100 in transactions. Some institutions may choose to keep records longer, but they aren't required to.
To dispute a transaction on your bank account statement, you'll need to contact your bank advisor by phone or email, and then follow up with a letter by registered post with acknowledgement of receipt.
Paper
Paper statements aren't going anywhere, but receiving them may cost you a few dollars per statement due to printing and mailing costs. This fee can add up quickly, especially if you receive a monthly statement.
Banks usually charge a few dollars per statement, but credit unions may charge less. Fees will vary by institution.
Some financial institutions charge a fee for paper statements, but this can be waived for people over a certain age, such as 65, or minors under a certain age.
Paper statements are typically posted to your home address, and sometimes a copy may be sent to an accountant or guardian.
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Record Longevity
Banks are required by law to keep account records for at least five years. This means they'll have a record of your transactions, even if you've closed the account.
Some banks may choose to keep records longer than five years, but they're not required to do so. If you want to know their policies, it's best to call them.
The FDIC recommends keeping bank statements used for tax preparation for at least seven years. This can come in handy if you need to refer back to them for tax purposes.
You may only need to keep bank statements for a year if you're just using them to monitor your spending and saving habits.
Disputing a Transaction
Disputing a transaction can be a straightforward process if you know the steps to take. You can contact your bank advisor by phone or email to dispute a transaction on your bank account statement.
To start the process, you'll need to contact your bank advisor as soon as possible. Some banks allow you to dispute transactions online in your bank's customer area or mobile application.
You should also send a letter to your bank by registered post with acknowledgement of receipt. The authorities in France have provided a model letter to the bank in the event of an error or disagreement.
If you don't receive a reply or are not satisfied with the bank's response, you can take the matter to the bank mediator.
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Using and Understanding Bank Statements
A bank statement is a record of all the flows of funds in and out of your account over a given period. It's essential to review your statement regularly to monitor your expenses and detect any discrepancies.
Each bank statement contains a reference period, which is the time frame covered within your statement, typically a month. The statement also shows the debit and credit transactions, including withdrawals, outgoing payments, debits, or transfers, and incoming payments, and cash and check deposits.
To dispute a transaction, you can refer to your bank account statement, which provides proof of customer payment or nonpayment. If you notice a transaction that hasn't actually been carried out, you can contact your bank and resolve the issue.
Here are the common elements you can expect to find on a bank statement:
- Statement period: The time frame covered within your statement.
- Starting and ending account balances: Your statement includes starting and ending balances that let you quickly gauge where your money is trending.
- All completed transactions for the time period: These are commonly shown in chronological order, including transaction date, exact amount, and payee name.
- Fees and any interest earned: Statements for interest-bearing accounts will show interest earned over the statement period.
- Bank information: The statement will clearly indicate the issuing bank, account number, and possibly personal information like phone number and mailing address.
Electronic
Electronic statements are a convenient way to access your bank account information, and many banks now offer this option to their customers.
Receiving digital statements is typically free, and opting into digital statements can sometimes spare you monthly account maintenance fees.
You can access your electronic statement online and download or print it as needed.
Many recipients of e-statements still print out their statements at home, preferring to keep a permanent record.
Electronic statements are usually generated in PDF format, which reduces the ability of the recipient to electronically alter the statement.
Banks may email statements to customers as an attachment, or you can access them on the financial institution's website.
Producing electronic statements saves financial institutions the significant cost of printing statements, folding them into envelopes, and postage.
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Understanding a Statement
A bank statement is a record of all the transactions that have taken place in your account over a specific period. It's like a financial diary that helps you keep track of your money.
The statement period is the time frame covered within your statement, which can be a month or another time frame that's approximately a month long. This is usually indicated at the top of the statement.
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You can expect to see your starting and ending account balances on the statement, which will give you an idea of where your money is trending. Some banks may also include average daily balances.
A bank statement typically shows all completed transactions for the time period in chronological order. Each line item will show the transaction date, amount, and the name of the payee. However, your bank statement may not include pending transactions.
Here are the common elements you can expect to find on a bank statement:
- Statement period
- Starting and ending account balances
- All completed transactions for the time period
- Fees and any interest earned
- Bank information
The bank statement also includes fees and any interest earned, which is especially important if you have an interest-bearing account.
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Importance and Best Practices
Regularly checking your bank statements can help you track your spending habits and create a budget to support your financial goals.
Using bank statements along with credit card statements can give you a complete picture of your finances, allowing you to see where your money is going and make adjustments as needed.
Monitoring your accounts for fraudulent or unauthorized charges is crucial, and comparing your account activity and balance with your personal records can help you identify any errors.
Bank statements can also serve as proof of income, which is essential when applying for a mortgage or personal loan.
By reviewing your bank statements regularly, you can stay on top of your finances and make informed decisions about your money.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get a bank statement?
To access your bank statement, log in to your bank's website and click on the 'statements' or 'download' option. This will allow you to view or download your statement online.
Is a bank statement a record?
Yes, a bank statement is a record of your financial transactions. Regularly reviewing it can help you track expenses and detect potential issues.
Is it safe to give a bank statement?
Share your bank statement only with trusted institutions or individuals, and verify the purpose of the request to ensure your safety. Be cautious when sharing sensitive financial information.
What is proof of bank account statement?
Proof of bank account statement is a document showing you have a current account with a financial institution, verifying access to funds in case of an emergency
Why do people ask for bank statements?
People ask for bank statements to verify the consistency of your income and ensure all sources of income are reported. This helps lenders confirm the accuracy of your financial information.
Sources
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bank-statement.asp
- https://www.chase.com/personal/banking/education/basics/what-is-a-bank-statement
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank_statement
- https://stripe.com/resources/more/france-bank-statement-legal-mentions
- https://www.capitalone.com/learn-grow/money-management/what-is-a-bank-statement/
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