The credit card payments that your business generates in a day are typically processed in batches. Every time a customer uses one of your credit card terminals, your processing software, or an electronic payment gateway, their credit card authorization codes are put into a data file and usually kept until the end of the business day. At this point, the file is uploaded to your credit card processor so that all of the transactions can be efficiently handled together in one batch. When the time comes to settle or close the batch, the processor sorts them all out and forwards them on to their respective issuing banks. The banks then release the funds to your processor, who in turn places them into your bank account. The issuing bank adds the purchase to the cardholder’s monthly statement, and all of this usually happens within 48 hours of the transaction occurring. You’re free to close your batch whenever you want during the day, including after each individual transaction, although this can prove to be expensive, as credit card processors charge a fee each time it happens.