Personal Bank Statement Example: A Complete Breakdown
Learn to understand your bank statement with our detailed example and explanation of each section.
A personal bank statement is a crucial financial document that provides a detailed summary of your account activity. Understanding how to read and interpret your statement is essential for managing your finances effectively.
In this guide, we'll walk through a typical personal bank statement, explaining each section and what the information means for your financial management.
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Statement Header Section
The header of your bank statement contains essential account information and statement details. Here's what you'll typically find:
Key Header Elements
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Bank Information
Bank name, branch details, and contact information
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Account Details
Account number (partially masked), account type, and holder name
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Statement Period
Start and end dates for the statement cycle
Transaction Details Section
The transaction section is the heart of your bank statement, showing all account activity during the statement period.
Transaction Entry Elements
- • Date: When the transaction occurred
- • Description: Merchant name or transaction type
- • Reference Number: Unique transaction identifier
- • Amount: Debit (-) or credit (+)
- • Running Balance: Account balance after each transaction
Common Transaction Types
- • POS: Point of Sale purchases
- • ACH: Automated Clearing House transfers
- • ATM: Cash withdrawals
- • DIR DEP: Direct deposits
- • CHECK: Check payments
Summary Section
The summary section provides an overview of your account activity and important totals for the statement period.
Opening Balance
Your account balance at the start of the statement period. This matches the closing balance from your previous statement.
Total Credits
Sum of all deposits and incoming transfers during the statement period, showing money added to your account.
Total Debits
Sum of all withdrawals, payments, and outgoing transfers, showing money taken from your account.
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