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Bank Sync FAQs

Common questions about how bank syncing works in Skwad.

How does bank sync work?​

When you link a bank account via Plaid or SimpleFIN, Skwad periodically connects to your bank to pull in new transactions and update existing ones. This includes adding new transactions, updating pending transactions to posted, and removing transactions that your bank no longer reports.

What happens to deleted transactions?​

Banks sometimes remove transactions after they've been synced to Skwad. How Skwad handles this depends on the transaction's status:

  • Pending transactions: If your bank removes a pending transaction (e.g., a hold that was released), Skwad deletes it automatically. Since pending transactions haven't settled, removing them keeps your records accurate.
  • Posted (processed) transactions: If your bank removes a transaction that has already posted, Skwad does not delete it. Instead, the transaction is tagged with the "Deleted by connection" system tag so you can review it manually.

What is the "Deleted by connection" tag?​

"Deleted by connection" is a red system tag that Skwad automatically applies to posted transactions that were removed by your bank during a sync. Rather than deleting these transactions outright, Skwad keeps them and tags them so you can:

  • Review why the transaction was removed (e.g., a bank correction, a reversed charge, or a data error).
  • Verify your budgets and trends are still accurate, since the transaction may have already been categorized and counted.
  • Delete manually if you determine the transaction is no longer relevant.

This approach protects you from silently losing transaction history that may have already affected your budgets, trends, and reports.

Why doesn't Skwad just delete posted transactions?​

Once a transaction is posted and processed, it likely has been categorized, assigned to a budget, and factored into your spending trends. Silently removing it could cause confusion — your budget totals might change unexpectedly or past reports might no longer add up. By tagging instead of deleting, Skwad gives you full control over what stays and what goes.

When would a bank remove a posted transaction?​

Common reasons include:

  • Reversed or refunded charges: The bank removes the original transaction after a reversal.
  • Duplicate corrections: The bank fixes a duplicate entry on their end.
  • Account adjustments: The bank makes a backend correction to your account.
  • Data provider issues: Temporary glitches in Plaid or SimpleFIN data feeds.

How do I find transactions tagged "Deleted by connection"?​

You can filter your transactions by the "Deleted by connection" tag to see all affected transactions in one place. From there, review each one and decide whether to keep or delete it.

How often does Skwad sync with my bank?​

Skwad syncs periodically throughout the day. The exact frequency depends on your bank connection provider (Plaid or SimpleFIN) and your bank's data availability.

Why are some of my transactions missing after linking?​

  • Plaid typically provides up to 24 months of historical data, though this varies by institution.
  • SimpleFIN provides up to 90 days of historical data. Some banks may limit this further to 30 or 60 days.

If you've just linked your account, allow some time for the initial sync to complete.