What is an ACH payment? The complete guide

The definition of ACH

Firstly, what does ACH stand for? It stands for ‘Automated Clearing House’, which is the network that manages ACH payments.

ACH payments are a type of electronic funds transfer (EFT). An ACH transfer is a bank-to-bank transfer, yet it is processed through the Automated Clearing House network rather than directly between the banks. When you make an ACH payment, data is sent by your bank to another institution within the ACH network, and, pending their approval, the money is drawn from your account and deposited into the recipient’s bank account. 

The ACH network is composed of banks and other financial institutions (also known as clearing houses). ACH provides an efficient way to directly transfer funds electronically between bank accounts—without using paper checks, wire transfers, credit cards, or cash. 

Automated Clearing House payments are often used for direct deposits, payroll, vendor payments, and consumer bills—but we’ll get into the use cases a bit later in this guide. First, let’s take a look at how ACH came to be.

A brief history of ACH payments

In the 1970s, banks began to realize that dealing with the volume and rapid spread of checks, especially for business payments, was becoming a challenge. That’s when the ACH network was born, as a way for banks to communicate electronically for the quick and secure transfer of funds.

Over the next few decades, ACH payments evolved through technological advances and regulatory changes, as the need grew for faster, more secure, and more efficient payment methods. 

How common are ACH payments, you ask? Well, the total dollars transferred via ACH payments in 2023 amounted to $80.1 trillion, and it is a first choice for many businesses and employers in the U.S.

The role of Nacha in ACH transactions

ACH payments and the ACH network are governed and regulated by a non-profit organization called Nacha (National Automated Clearing House Association). 

Nacha works closely with government agencies, including the Federal Reserve, the U.S. Treasury, and state banking authorities, to ensure the payment process is safe and reliable and that both parties are who they say they are.

The different types of ACH: ACH debits and ACH credits

There are two main types of ACH transfers: debits and credits. Let’s compare both types and explain how they work to give you more control over your accounts payable and receivable.

The difference between ACH and wire transfers

Both ACH payments and wire transfers are electronic payment options, but there are some distinct differences between them.

What’s the cost of ACH transactions?

The costs of ACH payments may depend on several factors, including your financial institution and the transaction amount. 

Standard domestic ACH payments typically cost up to a few dollars. This average cost is usually charged as a flat fee for each payment, but some processors may offer subscriptions that include a certain number of free ACH transfers or charge the fee as a portion of the payment. 

The fee for same-day ACH is often charged as a percentage of the total sum and varies according to your processor and plan. 

At Melio, regular ACH-to-ACH transfers cost $0.5 per transaction, with different number of free ACH transfers per plan (Go: 5; Core: 20; Boost: 50; Unlimited). Same-day ACH transfers carry a 1% fee, with a maximum charge of $30.

Check out Melio’s pricing page for more information about the cost of ACH transfers and other payment methods for your business.

How long do ACH payments take to process?

When sending a standard ACH payment through your bank, you should account for an average of one to three business days for processing.

This means that if you send the payment on Monday morning, it could take until Thursday for your vendor to see the money in their account. 

This is much faster than delivering your average paper check, but there are instances in which you need to get your vendor paid faster. Many online payment solutions offer a variety of faster payment options in case you’re in a time crunch. 

Same-day ACH can be used to expedite an ACH payment to your vendor. With Melio, you can ensure your vendor gets paid on the same day by fast ACH transfers, or by choosing to pay with a card. If you’re looking for an even faster turnaround time, you can pay vendors instantly through Melio. This means you can pay at the last second and your vendor receives the payment within minutes.

Cost-effectiveness

The fees for domestic ACH payments are significantly lower than the cost of sending wire transfers or paper checks.

Security

The ACH network is designed to protect your data and prevent fraud. The data you send over the network is also encrypted to minimize the risk of theft, forgery, or loss. Unlike checks or cash, ACH payments are always documented and trackable, so you’re never surprised by an unlisted payment. 

ACH payments also come with a grace period in which you can dispute and reverse suspect transactions.

Increased efficiency through automation

With ACH, you can make your life easier by automating recurring payments. Whether it’s paying employees, getting paid by customers, or paying your business bills, automatic online payments can reduce manual intervention and ensure timely payments.

Easier reconciliation

Paying your business bills online with ACH reduces manual data entry errors and makes reconciliation more efficient.

Improved cash flow

Scheduling your payments in advance with ACH helps keep your small business organized and maintains good workflows.

You can rest assured your payments will go out in time for their due date while holding on to your money for longer and improving cash flow. 

This reduces uncertainty, like when a check will be deposited, or funds withdrawn, not to mention the extra time, cost, and penalties incurred if you forget to send a payment you held off until the last minute.

Speed

Compared to checks, an ACH transaction is lightning fast. When sending checks in the mail, it can take many days to arrive, and then might wait even longer to be deposited. ACH payments take three days on average and can even arrive on the same day, meaning you don’t need to mess around with paperwork or bank visits.

Transparency

ACH transactions come with an estimated delivery date that you can share with the recipient, providing transparency throughout the process.

Use cases for ACH payments

Here are some of the most common ways businesses use ACH: 

• Payroll: Many businesses pay their employees via ACH direct deposits, which are typically set up through the company’s payroll software. 
• Taxes: Today, the vast majority of federal payments and tax collections are made via the ACH network, with very few exceptions. 
• Automated or recurring payments: ACH is ideal for batched, automated, and recurring payments. This is why many businesses prefer ACH when paying vendors and suppliers. 
• Getting paid: ACH is a secure, trackable, and convenient way for businesses to receive payments from customers directly to their bank accounts.

Case study: How Aora Cargo saved $300 a month by using Melio for ACH payments

Aora Cargo, a family-owned trucking company, was using bank apps charging high fees to pay its drivers. As the company grew, its payment needs became more frequent and started costing a lot of money. The company then learned about Melio through its insurance agent and now uses it to pay its drivers, owner-operators, and dispatch service. 

Ignacio and Cecilia Araya, the husband and wife who own Aora Cargo, save three to four hours a week by being able to set up, access, transact, and review ACH transfers more quickly with Melio. 

“What I like about Melio is how easy it is to make and schedule payments,” Ignacio said, noting that Melio provides better visibility to track the company’s payments.