GTBank Transfer Pending for Hours — What to Do

GTBank Transfer Pending for Hours — What to Do Photo
By Lydia Chima

Waiting for a bank transfer to complete can be frustrating  especially when it’s been hours and the money hasn’t reached the beneficiary. If you’re using GTBank (Guaranty Trust Bank) Nigeria and a transfer shows “Pending”, here’s a practical breakdown of what it means, why it happens, and exactly what you should do.

What “Pending” Means

When a transfer is marked pending, it means the transaction has started but hasn’t fully cleared or credited to the recipient’s account yet. This could be due to several technical or operational delays, not necessarily a failed transaction.

A pending status might occur:

  • On both GTWorld mobile app
  • Through internet banking
  • Via *USSD (737#) transfers

Note: pending doesn’t mean the funds are lost  it usually means the banking systems are still processing your request.

Common Reasons GTBank Transfers Stay Pending

  • Network Congestion and Banking System Delays:  Bank transactions pass through multiple systems  including GTBank’s own servers and the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) switch. If traffic is heavy, especially during salary days or weekends, transfers can take longer.
  • Security and Anti-Fraud Checks: Large transactions or unusual activity can trigger extra security scrutiny, causing banks to hold the transfer until verification is complete.
  • Internet or Connectivity Issues: If your internet connection drops or the app times out mid-request, the bank may not receive full confirmation, leaving the transaction in a “pending” state.
  • Inter-Bank Processing:  If you’re transferring to another bank, the recipient bank might take longer to post the funds even when GTBank shows the transaction as completed. In such cases, the recipient must also check with their own bank.

How Long Should a Pending Transfer Take?

Related

There’s no universal timeline, but generally:

  • Time
    What It Usually Means
    Less than 30 minutes
    Normal delay; usually resolves itself
    1–4 hours
  • Typical for network congestion or security checks
    Up to 24 hours
  • Extended processing or inter-bank delays
    More than 24 hours

Worth investigating with customer support,
Waiting a bit longer before taking action is often wise, especially if the network and banks are busy.

Steps to Take When a Transfer Is Pending

  •  Check Transaction Status Inside the App or USSD
  • Don’t rely only on the initial message pop-up. Go to your transaction history in GTWorld, internet banking, or USSD and look for:
  • Pending
  • Processing
  • In progress

If it shows successful but the beneficiary hasn’t received it, you’ll need to follow other steps.

  • Wait Before Trying Again:  If you retry the transfer immediately, you risk sending duplicate transfers  meaning you could be debited twice if the first one eventually goes through. It’s often recommended to wait at least 2–4 hours.
  • Confirm With the Beneficiary’s Bank: If GTBank shows successful but the funds are missing at the destination, the receiver should contact their bank with proof (reference number, session ID) to trace the credit.
  • Contact GTBank Support:  If the transfer is still pending after a reasonable wait (e.g., over 12 hours or into the next day), contact GTBank:
    Official Channels:
  • GTConnect Phone Lines: +234-1-4480000, 0700-4826-66328, 080-2900-2900, 080-3900-3900, 081-3985-6000
  • WhatsApp Support: +234-904-000-2900
  • In-App Secure Messaging / Help Centre: Available in the GTWorld app or internet banking portal
  • Official Website Help Centre: Submit a complaint form via GTBank’s Help Centre
    Provide:
  • Account number
  • Reference/session number
  • Date and time of transfer
  • Amount

GTBank will log your complaint, investigate, and provide feedback  typically within 24-48 hours depending on complexity.

What Happens Behind the Scenes

When you contact GTBank:

  • Your complaint is assigned a Ticket
  • The bank investigates the payment flows
  • They check whether the funds got stuck in switching networks
  • If necessary, they may initiate a recall or reversal request

All of this takes time as banks coordinate with other financial systems. Patience and accurate information speeds up resolution.

Tips to Avoid Future Pending Transfers

  • Confirm beneficiary details before sending (name and account number).
  • Ensure stable internet when initiating transfers.
  • Avoid large transfers late at night or on weekends when systems may be slower.
  • Use GTBank’s in-app feedback tools for faster support.

Conclusion (what you should do)

Check the status in your transaction history.
Wait a few hours ,pending often resolves automatically.
Don’t resend immediately  it may cause duplicates.
If the bank shows “successful” but money hasn’t landed, the recipient should check with their bank.
Contact GTBank support if pending persists: phone, WhatsApp, in-app help, or official complaint form.

About the author View all posts

Lydia Chima

Lydia Chima is a BSc holder in Mass Communication from the University of Uyo, Akwaibom State. She brings great experience in media and comms. alongside a wealth of experience in corporate communications and research.

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