The credit card industry uses batches to settle funds. In other words, if a merchant runs 10 transactions for $1 each, the merchant will receive one $10 deposit (instead of 10 separate $1 deposits). Searching for transactions is useful to find a particular charge associated with a particular customer.
Batches are useful for determining the actual deposit amounts and transfers made into your checking account. Batches will be separated into 2 categories: your current unsettled batch and previous settled batches.