Guthaben

Guthaben is a German term that describes the amount of money that is currently available to a person or organization in an account or as stored value. It represents funds that can be spent or withdrawn in the near future and is generally considered an asset for the holder and a liability for the bank or issuer.

In banking, Guthaben on a checking or savings account increases with deposits and credits and decreases with withdrawals and debits. It can also rise through earned interest or fees credited to the account. Prepaid or stored-value Guthaben refers to funds loaded onto a card, account, or digital wallet that can be spent later, such as mobile phone credit, gift cards, or online wallet balances. Some arrangements allow a negative Guthaben, or overdraft, when spending exceeds the available funds, subject to approval and terms.

Accounting and legality: Guthaben is recorded as an asset on the recipient’s balance sheet. For financial institutions, the corresponding obligation to repay the customer is treated as a liability. In daily banking, statements list Guthaben as the running balance, reflecting all deposits, withdrawals, and other transactions. Deposit protection schemes in many jurisdictions help safeguard consumer Guthaben up to a defined limit.

Practical considerations: Guthaben can often be transferred between accounts, used to pay for goods and services, or redeemed under specific terms. Fees, interest, and withdrawal limits may affect the value and accessibility of Guthaben. Security measures and privacy protections are important for preventing unauthorized access to stored funds.