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Automated Clearing House (ACH) Payment and Solutions

This page provides a summary of ACH Payment and Solution topics. For questions, please call FMFCU’s Treasury Solutions Department at 484-259-1000 ext. 58148.

Benefits of ACH for Your Business

Learn about how ACH can benefit your business here!

  • Send payroll to your employees quickly
  • Pay businesses or vendors for their goods or services
  • Faster and easier recurring payments from customers
  • May help reduce the number of checks you write or deposit
  • Reduce risk and human error
  • Potential cost-savings

NACHA Rule Changes for 2023

The National Automated Clearing House Association (NACHA), governs the ACH Network and manages the development and administration of the ACH network.  This includes periodically releasing rule updates, which FMFCU provides here:

    • March 17, 2023: Micro Entries – Originators of Micro-Entries will be required to use commercially reasonable fraud detection.  This includes the monitoring of Micro-Entry forward and return volumes.
    • This requirement is intended to minimize the incidence of fraud schemes by means of Micro-Entries.

For a summary of Originator Related NACHA Rules: ACH Originator Guide.

 

To purchase a full list of NACHA Rules: www.nachaoperatingrulesonline.org.

Online Banking ACH Guide

For instructions completing common tasks: FMFCU’s Online Banking ACH Guide.


More tutorial videos coming soon!

Definitions and Acronyms

  • ACH: Automated Clearing House, is a U.S. financial network used for electronic payment and money transfers. Also known as “direct payments,” ACH payments are a way to transfer money from one bank account to another without using paper checks, credit card networks, wire transfers, or cash.
  • Effective Date: The date an Originator intends for entries to post to a receiver’s (customer’s, vendor’s or employee’s) account. When the ACH operator processes an ACH file, the effective entry date is read and settlement date is assigned. Entries are settled by the ACH operator on settlement date.
  • NACHA: National Automated Clearing House Association manages development, administration, and governance of the ACH Network, the backbone for the electronic movement of money and data in the United States. It is a not-for-profit organization funded by the financial institutions it governs.
  • Originator: Any entity or person creating an ACH transaction.
  • SEC Code: Standard Entry Class Code are all the valid payment methods as prescribed by NACHA. Each SEC code defines the type of transaction (debit or credit), type of account (corporate or consumer), and any information specific to the format (such as single/recurring, terminal location, or check number).

Holiday Calendar

Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union will close the following holidays observed by the Federal Reserve Bank and will not accept files for processing on these days. Entries should not have an effective date on these days.

  • New Year’s Day (January 1)
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Third Monday in January)
  • President’s Day (Third Monday in February)
  • Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
  • Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19)
  • Independence Day (July 4)
  • Labor Day (First Monday in September)
  • Columbus Day (Second Monday in October)
  • Veterans Day (November 11)
  • Thanksgiving Day (Fourth Thursday in November)
  • Christmas Eve (December 24)*
  • Christmas Day (December 25)

*Early processing — 12:30 p.m. cutoff

Note: If January 1, July 4, November 11, or December 25 fall on Sunday, the following Monday is a standard Federal Reserve Bank holiday.

Processing Dates/Times/Delivery Times

Processing Days — Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union will accept files for processing on all business days (excluding holidays listed above). Files are not accepted on Saturdays, Sundays, or standard holidays. Entries should not use these days as an effective date.

File Cut Off — Files can be approved and transmitted via online or mobile up until 3:00 p.m. ET on each processing day, with exception of the cutoff time of 12:30 p.m. ET on Christmas Eve.

Timing of Delivery — Companies can deliver files up until XX days before the effective date.

  • Credit entries until 3:00 p.m. ET — allow two (2) business days prior to the effective date of entry.
  • Debit entries until 3:00 p.m. ET — allow one (1) business day prior to effective date of entry.

Security/Best Practices

The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC 4a) requires that “commercially reasonable” security procedures be utilized to guard against loss. An originating company should establish, maintain and enforce reasonable physical and logical security practices with respect to access and transmission of ACH files.

Although each business is unique, the following suggestions should be utilized when originating electronic transactions:

  • Request file limits that align with the business need. Having appropriate limits can help prevent keying errors resulting in unintended amounts.
  • Utilize an encrypted electronic method (such as Online/Mobile Banking) to deliver files to FMFCU.
  • Utilize a multi-factor authentication such as Secure Access Codes to access online ACH services each time. Do not save credentials or the browser.
  • Have the Secure Access Code delivered by SMS text or telephone. Email should be used as a last resort.
  • Utilize dual control for creating and approving files. Allowing one person to create and a second to approve will help minimize errors and prevent potential fraud.
  • Maintain a standard schedule as much as possible so anomalies are more likely to be identified by staff reconciling the account(s).
  • Immediately notify FMFCU if suspecting someone has gained unauthorized access to your Online/Mobile Banking.