What is ACH?

From direct deposit to bill payments, the ACH network shapes the landscape of electronic fund transfers. ACH extends its influence across various areas to move funds between businesses, individuals, and financial institutions.

By electronically processing transactions, the ACH eliminates the need for physical checks to be printed, mailed, and manually deposited, thus saving time and reducing paper waste.

ACH transactions offer a convenient and cost-effective alternative to traditional paper checks and credit card payments.

The history of ACH dates back to the ‘70s, when the network was created, eventually evolving to become a fundamental component of modern financial transactions.

The history of ACH

The ACH network launched in 1974, spearheaded by the Federal Reserve Bank and NACHA, initially allowing the electronic transfer of payments such as payroll, Social Security benefits, and mortgage payments.

The initial goal of ACH was to replace paper checks with electronic transactions, reducing the cost and time associated with processing payments.

Over the years, the ACH system has evolved and expanded to include a wide range of transactions. This growth can be attributed to technological advancements, the increasing popularity of online banking, and the desire for faster, more efficient payment methods.

Since the ACH network is a crucial player in online transactions, it’s important to know what’s involved in these payments and how they work.

What are ACH payments?

ACH payments are electronic transfers that allow individuals and businesses to send and receive money between bank accounts in the U.S.

Individuals can use ACH payments to set up direct deposits for their salaries, receive tax refunds, or make online bill payments. Whereas businesses rely on ACH payments to process employee payroll, collect customer payments, or make vendor payments.

How does ACH work?

The ACH transaction process is relatively simple and typically takes two to three business days.

ACH payments are handled by the Originating Depository Financial Institution (ODFI) and Receiving Depository Financial Institution (RDFI) through six simple steps:

1. Initiation: The payment process begins when the ODFI initiates the ACH transaction.
2. Authorization: Before the transaction advances, the ODFI carefully oversees the process, ensuring strict adherence to regulatory frameworks and verifying the presence of essential information to authorize the transaction.
3. RDFI receives the transaction: The RDFI, or the recipient’s bank, receives the ACH transaction and manages the funds.
4. ACH processing: The RDFI then processes the transaction, updating the recipient’s account to reflect the credited amount accurately. This includes meticulous internal reconciliation to identify and rectify discrepancies or errors, ensuring the company’s financial information is in harmony and accurately reflects its financial position.
5. Notification: The ODFI and RDFI are updated on the transaction details through formal notifications, which ensures mutual awareness of progress and expedites the resolution of any discrepancies.
6. Settlement: In the final step, funds are debited from the sender’s account to the receiver’s account, with settlement occurring through the Federal Reserve or an alternative ACH operator. This marks the definitive transfer of funds from the ODFI to the RDFI.

Now that you understand what ACH payments are and how ACH processing works, you should also know how they stack up against other payment methods.

ACH vs. other payment methods

While ACH transactions are reliable, many other payment methods may make you question how they all compare.

Four alternative payment methods to ACH include:

• Wire Transfers
• Real-time payments
• Credit or debit cards
• Same Day ACH

Wire transfers

A wire transfer is a payment method involving direct fund transfers through a secure network, such as the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT). These transfers are often used for large or international transfers where speed and security are crucial.

While settlement times for wire transfers can be as short as a few minutes, these transfers can be expensive, with fees ranging from $20 to $50 per transaction.

On the other hand, ACH transfers are typically used for non-urgent and repetitive transactions, such as bill payments and direct deposits. Although the transfer times for these transactions tend to be longer than wire transfers, usually ranging from two to three business days, they offer a much cheaper option, with fees ranging from $0.20 to $1.50 per payment.

Real-time payments

Real-time payments (RTPs) refer to electronic transactions that are processed instantly, allowing for immediate transfer of funds between parties. These payments are often used for situations requiring instant availability of funds, such as peer-to-peer transfers, emergency payments, and other business transactions.

The main difference between RTPs and ACH transfers is their processing times. While ACH transfers typically take two to three business days to complete, RTPs provide instant or near-instant payment capabilities for immediate availability and access to funds. The fees associated with these payments are similar to ACH fees, ranging from $0.25 to $1.

Credit or debit cards

Credit card transactions involve borrowing money from a credit card issuer with a predetermined limit, requiring repayment by a specified due date. In contrast, debit card transactions directly withdraw funds from the linked bank account, limiting spending to the available balance.

Credit and debit cards can be processed in real-time or take a few business days to complete. These payments are typically used for point-of-sale transactions where the cardholder physically swipes or inserts their card into a payment terminal.

The main distinction between ACH transactions and credit and debit cards lies in the mechanism of transfer and the nature of the parties involved. While ACH transactions move directly between banks, credit and debit transactions rely on using cards issued by financial institutions.

The fees associated with credit and debit card payments are primarily based on percentages of the transaction amount.

Same Day ACH

Same Day ACH refers to an expedited option within the ACH network that allows for faster processing of electronic fund transfers (EFTs).

Unlike regular ACH transactions that process within one to three business days, Same Day ACH enables transfers to be completed within the same business day. This accelerated timeline makes it a convenient choice for time-sensitive payments and transactions, providing a quicker turnaround for moving funds between bank accounts.

Same-day ACH fees range from $1 to $5, slightly higher than regular ACH transactions.

While each payment method serves distinct purposes based on urgency, transaction size, and convenience, ACH is a reliable choice for non-urgent and repetitive transactions.

For the most seamless ACH transaction experience, consider using a reliable payment processor that can facilitate these transactions.

Optimize ACH transactions with a reliable payment processor

ACH serves as the backbone of electronic payments, enabling the seamless and secure movement of funds between banks and financial institutions. However, the reliability of payment processors plays a pivotal role in ensuring the success and security of ACH transfers.

Opting for trustworthy processors like EBizCharge not only guarantees swift transactions but also safeguards sensitive financial information.

EBizCharge is a powerful tool that facilitates and simplifies ACH transfers with advanced features and a user-friendly interface, providing businesses with a seamless and efficient solution for processing electronic payments that saves time and increases productivity.