> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.rc.cleverhub.co/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Balance Models: Aggregated vs. Dedicated > The two ways Clever Connect tracks your funds: Aggregated Balance keeps one shared balance, Dedicated Balance keeps a separate balance per account. Learn how each works and which to choose. Clever Connect supports two balance models: **Aggregated Balance** and **Dedicated Balance**. Your model decides whether your money sits in one shared pot or in separate pots for each account. It shapes how you view balances, how you reconcile, and whether you pick an account when moving money. This page explains both models in full. Your balance model is set once, during onboarding, and cannot be changed after your account is activated. Choose carefully. ## A quick mental model Think of your merchant account as a building, and each [Payments Account](/platform-overview/clever-concepts/payments-accounts) as a separate store operating inside that building. One shared balance across all your Payments Accounts. Every store contributes to the same pot. A separate balance for each Payments Account. Every store keeps its own money. ## The two models at a glance | | **Aggregated Balance** | **Dedicated Balance** | | ------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------- | | **Where funds are held** | One shared balance per currency, at the merchant level | A separate balance for each account | | **Are funds separated by store or brand?** | No | Yes | | **Transaction history** | Combined at the merchant level | Tracked per account | | **Do I pick an account when settling or withdrawing?** | No | Yes | | **Best for** | A single, simple balance view | Multiple businesses, brands, or payment flows | | **Used by existing merchants today?** | Yes | No (new option) | *** ## Aggregated Balance ### What it is The Aggregated Balance model keeps a single balance for each currency at the merchant level. This is the same structure existing Clever merchants already use, so if you are an existing merchant, it will feel completely familiar. All the money earned across every Payments Account is combined into one balance, and you manage your funds centrally from one place. ### How it works Under the Aggregated Balance model: * Incoming payments are credited to your single merchant balance, no matter which account received them. * Payouts are deducted from that same merchant balance. * Settlements are processed from the merchant balance. * Withdrawals are processed from the merchant balance. * Funds are never separated by account. * You do not need to select an account when creating a Settlement or a Withdrawal; there is only one balance to draw from. In short: money in, money out, all from one central pool. ### Working example Merchant ABC operates two online stores, Store A and Store B. During a single day, the two stores receive these payments: | Payments Account | Incoming payments | | ---------------- | ----------------- | | Store A | AUD 1,000 | | Store B | AUD 500 | Because the balance is aggregated, both amounts flow into the same place, so the merchant balance is simply the total: **AUD 1,500**. Now suppose the merchant creates a Settlement of AUD 300. It is taken from the overall balance, not from any specific store: | Description | Amount | | ----------------- | --------- | | Total balance | AUD 1,500 | | Settlement | AUD 300 | | Remaining balance | AUD 1,200 | There is no need to decide whether the AUD 300 came from Store A or Store B; it simply comes out of the shared balance. ### Benefits There is only one balance to watch. Your current behaviour stays exactly the same. All funds are handled in one place. You never have to reconcile balances across multiple accounts. *** ## Dedicated Balance New ### What it is The Dedicated Balance model keeps a separate balance for each account. Funds are held separately and managed independently, which gives you far greater visibility and control over each part of your business. This model is new with Clever Connect and is designed for merchants who run more than one operation under a single account and want to keep their money clearly separated. It is also the model that [Treasury Accounts](/platform-overview/clever-concepts/treasury-accounts) always use. ### How it works Under the Dedicated Balance model: * Incoming payments are credited to the balance of the specific account that received them. * Payouts are deducted from that same account’s balance. * Settlements are processed from a selected account balance. * Withdrawals are processed from a selected account balance. * Each account keeps its own balance and its own transaction history. Because the balances are separate, you will be asked to choose which account you are settling or withdrawing from each time. This is what keeps the funds cleanly divided. ### Working example Using the same Merchant ABC with two stores, the stores receive the same payments as before, but this time the money does not merge. Each store keeps what it earned: | Payments Account | Available balance | | ---------------- | ----------------- | | Store A | AUD 1,000 | | Store B | AUD 500 | Now the merchant creates a Settlement of AUD 300 from Store A. Only Store A is affected; Store B is untouched: | Payments Account | Balance before | Settlement | Balance after | | ---------------- | -------------- | ---------- | ------------- | | Store A | AUD 1,000 | AUD 300 | AUD 700 | | Store B | AUD 500 | (none) | AUD 500 | The balances stay independent and are never combined, so it is easy to see exactly how much each store holds at any moment. ### Benefits Money is kept separate between accounts. See how each store, brand, or payment flow is performing. Reconcile and report at the account level. Strong support for running several businesses, brands, or payment flows under one account. *** ## Choosing the right model Because the choice is permanent, it is worth taking a moment to match the model to your business. Prefer a single, simple balance view; do not need to separate funds across accounts; want the same behaviour as existing Clever merchants; or run one core business and value simplicity. Operate multiple businesses or brands under one account; need separate balances for different payment flows; want clearer reconciliation at the account level; or value visibility into how each part of the business performs. A simple rule of thumb: one business and one set of books → Aggregated. Multiple businesses, or a need to keep money separated → Dedicated. ## Related topics - [Clever Connect FAQ](/platform-overview/clever-concepts/faq.md) - [Clever Connect vs. a Standard Account](/platform-overview/clever-concepts/clever-connect-vs-standard.md) - [Managing Balances and Accounts](/portal/balances.md)