What is FedNow?

Unlike the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system, which settles batch transactions within one to two business days, FedNow enables payments to be processed and paid instantly.

FedNow is an upcoming payment platform launched in 2023 and provides financial institutions of all sizes the ability to offer instant payment services to their customers.

The goal of FedNow is to enhance the speed and efficiency of everyday payments so individuals and businesses can access funds faster. Whether receiving a loan payment or making an online purchase, FedNow’s instant settlement feature ensures funds are available immediately.

While FedNow incurs a fee per transaction, estimated to be a few cents, the benefits of faster, real-time payments far outweigh the cost.

With nationwide reach and availability to financial institutions of all sizes, FedNow is set to transform the payment landscape and provide a more convenient and efficient user experience.

What are ACH payments?

ACH payments are a popular form of electronic transfer that enables the movement of funds between bank accounts in the U.S. ACH payments offer a convenient and secure way for businesses and individuals to make and receive payments electronically.

While traditional paper checks can take days to clear, ACH payments are typically processed within two to three business days for more efficient and quick access to funds. This speed makes ACH payments useful for recurring transactions, such as payroll deposits or bill payments.

ACH payments are categorized as ACH debit or ACH credit. ACH debit allows authorized individuals or organizations to withdraw funds directly from a bank account. Whereas ACH credit allows individuals or organizations to deposit funds into a recipient’s bank account.

ACH payments also utilize robust security features like encryption and tokenization, ensuring more confidentiality and integrity of financial data.

While both serve the same purpose, there are some significant differences between FedNow vs. ACH payments.

What’s the difference between FedNow vs. ACH?

FedNow and ACH both serve the purpose of transferring funds electronically, but they differ primarily in the speed of these transactions, operating hours, and transaction limits.

FedNow offers real-time payments for instant transfer of funds. However, ACH typically takes one to two business days to process payments. Immediate access to funds can be particularly beneficial for businesses that require quick liquidity management or want to offer faster payment options for customers.

FedNow and ACH also differ in cutoff times and transaction limits. FedNow allows for higher transaction limits and operates 24/7 to process payments anytime, including weekends and holidays. In contrast, ACH prevents transfers anytime after 4:45 PM EST and on weekends and holidays. ACH has a transaction limit of $1 million, which may be inconvenient for businesses with high-value transactions.

With FedNow providing a more rapid option, you may wonder if ACH payments will become obsolete and if FedNow will replace ACH.

Will FedNow replace ACH?

While FedNow offers real-time payments, it’s not intended to replace ACH transfers altogether — the two payment systems can coexist and complement each other.

FedNow will work alongside ACH to provide businesses and individuals with a more flexible payment infrastructure, meaning users can choose between the speed and immediacy of FedNow or the convenience and familiarity of ACH for traditional transfers.

By offering FedNow and ACH payments, businesses can cater to different needs and preferences to guarantee a more efficient and effective customer payment experience.

The future of real-time payments

FedNow is the latest in the payments world and provides businesses and individuals with groundbreaking technology that helps limit the amount of restrictions and streamline the payment process.