What is Value Date?

The term “value date” is used quite variably in finance and economics. Generally speaking, all of the uses refer to a specific date, agreed upon beforehand, when the value of something is determined or settled. The meaning intended is usually clear from the context of a discussion or contract, but if it is not evident, people can ask for clarification.

For assets that have fluctuating prices over time, the value date is a fixed point in time that is used as a reference for valuing the asset. An example might be something like a savings bond. An arbitrary date is set for interest compounding so that the holder and issuer both agree when it comes to accounting for interest. Value dates in this case are used to eliminate confusion and ensure that people have a framework for understanding pricing. It also prevents disputes that might arise if people were using different dates for calculations.

Value dates are also involved with situations where funds or assets are transferred. The value date is the date when the transfer is complete and the recipient can freely access the materials that were transferred. This applies to situations ranging from depositing a check to trading foreign currency internationally. While people legally own the assets once an agreement has been reached, the transaction doesn't take effect until the transfer is finished. This concept also comes up in accounting, where the value date is the date that an accounting entry becomes effective.

Another example is a date of settlement. Settlement dates are agreed on in advance when people enter into contracts. When buying a house, for instance, the initial contract states that the deal must be completed by a given date and time. When the value date arrives, the transaction is completed and the buyer walks away with the keys while the seller receives the payment for the house.

As can be seen from these different meanings of the term, the value date could generally be considered the date when the value of an asset is formally recorded or a transaction takes effect. Generally, these dates are set ahead of time so that people know when the date will occur, and in many industries, the value date is an industry standard that applies to all transactions. These can include specific terms in contracts, as well as general windows, as at banks, where people are told that funds will be available within a certain number of days.