Risk & Compliance

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Payments Education

Education for ACH, check, card, wire and emerging payments. Members receive a 50% discount on all payments training sessions. Calendar below is updated throughout the year. If you do not see something in the area you need, let us know and we will find or create that topic for you!

PaymentsFirst provides education support to foster compliance, advancement and understanding of electronic payments for the benefit of industry participants and the payments network.

NCP- National Check Professional Certification

What is the NCP?

The NCP is an accreditation, similar to the AAP in the ACH world, but with a focus on the Check business. The program is developed and managed by ECCHO (Electronic Check Clearing House Organization). The program is intended, in part, to recognize an elevated level of payments acumen among payments professionals. Study and exam materials cover all aspects related to laws and regulations, processing via paper and image, product development and positioning as well as fraud and risk mitigation.

While it’s true check volumes have decreased over the past few years, they still play a significant role in America’s payments system. According to the 2010 Federal Reserve Payments Study, over 24 billion checks were processed in 2009, equating to over $31 trillion in payments. Given the significant volume and value of checks in the payments system, the degree of operational and product change resulting from the shift from checks to check, and the complexity of ongoing regulatory changes, industry participants need to maintain and cultivate additional check expertise.

Through the certification process, National Check Professionals (NCPs) will demonstrate a working knowledge of every significant aspect of the new check payment system including products and operations, relevant rules and laws that govern checks, industry standards and fraud and risk mitigation considerations.

NCP Exam
Why Should I become Certified?
Why should I have my employees certified?
Which areas of check will the exam cover?

2024 NCP EXAM

Please note information regarding changes to the NCP Exam below:

Exam Test Window: April 20 - May 11, 2024

Click Here to Register for Exam

Registration for the NCP Exam is administered through ECCHO. More details on the NCP program, including registration information, are available by visiting the ECCHO website. www.eccho.org/ncpc

NCP Exam Prep Webinar Series

2024 Details Coming This Fall, below is a list of topics covered

The 2024 NCP Exam Prep Webinar Series will begin January 2024 and includes:

Sessions listed below
- Access to recording 24-48 hours following live session
Check/Image Flashcards
CheckPro

Live Webinar Topic (topics subject to change or be adjusted)

Check Payments and Check Processing	TBD
Check Products	TBD
Regulations - Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) 3 & 4	TBD
Regulations - Regulation CC – Part I	TBD
Regulations - Regulation CC – Part II	TBD
Open Forum	TBD
Standards and Formats	TBD
Image Exchange Rules and Agreements: ECCHO Rules	TBD
Image Exchange Rules and Agreements: Fed OC 3	TBD
Image Exchange: Processes	TBD
Exceptions - Returns and Adjustments, Part 1: Overview & FRB	TBD
Exceptions - Returns and Adjustments, Part 2: ECCHO & Treasury Check Reclamations	TBD
Fraud, Risk and Risk Mitigation	TBD
Open Forum	TBD

Member Price: $995

Click Here to Register!

Why Should I become Certified?

A National Check Professional (NCP) designation recognizes professionals who have successfully proven an expert level of understanding of the current check payments landscape. This sets you apart by:

Recognizing your knowledge and comprehension of check payments
Recognizing you as a leader in your field
Strengthening your professional credibility
Demonstrating your commitment to customer service
Demonstrating your commitment to stay on the leading edge of industry trends and topics of interest
Positioning you for professional advancement

Ncp Fun Facts

Why should I have my employees certified?

A National Check Professional (NCP) designation recognizes professionals who have successfully proven an expert level of understanding of the current check payments landscape. This sets you apart by:

Recognizing your knowledge and comprehension of check payments
Recognizing you as a leader in your field
Strengthening your professional credibility
Demonstrating your commitment to customer service
Demonstrating your commitment to stay on the leading edge of industry trends and topics of interest
Positioning you for professional advancement