As of 8th April 2026, eBay has now done away with automatic quarterly payments, and any funds in your balance will remain there until you withdraw them manually (or use them for a purchase, obviously). The replies you received in posts 2 & 3 were correct at the time of posting, but are now outdated. 

From the email I received on 8th April, titled 'Update to your eBay balance':

"Starting today, available funds will stay in your eBay balance, instead of being sent to your bank account automatically every quarter. This makes it easier for you to build up your funds, set money aside for a future purchase or withdraw whenever you like."

I was about to say that the message should also be in everyone's eBay Messages, but I've just checked my account, and the message is not there (with a date of 08/04 or any other date) - so if I hadn't received the email, I'd be none the wiser.

What's odd (for me personally) is that it's usually the other way round, i.e. I don't get the email, but the announcement is in eBay Messages.

So it looks like the eBay genie has granted your wish, although I imagine other members will not be in favour of this change.