ACH Resources
- Agreements & Forms
- Quick Reference
- Compliance, Audits & Risk
- Corporate Users & Origination
- Understanding ACH
ACH Origination Agreement (SFE)
Electronic Format
This sample agreement, in a Word document format, includes critical terms and conditions that should be addressed in a legal agreement between a financial institution and its originators. There are numerous blanks and fields that should be completed and appropriately formatted before using this Agreement. Please remember that all contracts and agreements should be reviewed and modified where necessary by your legal counsel to be consistent with the specific needs or operations of your institution.
Format: Electronic
ACH Origination Agreement Checklist for FI's
Electronic Version
This checklist may be used as a resource when drafting your ACH Origination Agreement. The topics included in the checklist are general topics that may not be consistent with the way your Financial Institution operations. This checklist may not appropriately address all the laws or regulations specific to the state where your Financial Institution is locates and is not intended to constitute legal advice.
ACH Origination Third-Party Sender Agreement (SFE)
Electronic Format
This sample agreement, in a Word document format, includes critical terms and conditions that should be addressed in a legal agreement between a financial institution and a Third-Party Sender. There are numerous blanks and fields that should be completed and appropriately formatted before using this Agreement. Please remember that all contracts and agreements should be reviewed and modified where necessary by your legal counsel to be consistent with the specific needs or operations of your institution.
560 - ACH Quick Reference Cards for Financial Institutions
Electronic Version -
561 - ACH Quick Reference Guide
Electronic Version -
An everyday operational resource for ACH information, this easy-to-use guide is updated with the very latest information, including ACH Rules compliance and the special handling of IAT entries. The guide provides RDFI responsibilities and obligations outlined in an easy-to-reference format. Return Reason Codes, Notification of Change Codes, and an ACH Terms Glossary are included. Financial institutions have found it to be a valuable education tool when training new operations employees.
Format: PDF
592 - ACH Quick Reference Cards for Corporate Users
Electronic Version -
630 - ACH Audit Guide for Third-Party Service Providers & Third-Party Senders
Electronic Version
The ACH Audit Guide for Third-Party Service Providers and Third-Party Senders is a publication designed to assist the third-party in completing an annual ACH audit as required by the Nacha Operating Rules. This is a working document that will walk you through the steps of completing an ACH Rules Compliance Audit along with reviewing sound business practices, related compliance areas, online banking products, and government benefit payments. An audit preparation checklist is included to assist in gathering information needed for review. The document includes tools to help the auditor understand ACH participants, payment applications, and recent revisions to the Nacha Operating Rules. Electronic Version
585 - ACH Audit Workbook
Electronic Version -
431 - ACH Compliance Manual - 11th Edition
An essential tool to ensure compliance with the Nacha Operating Rules & Guidelines, the 11th edition offers crisp insights into authorizations, processing and more from Nacha’s subject matter experts. Stay current with recent Rule changes on Micro-Entries and Third-Party Sender shifts and authorization updates. Whether you’re new to the payments industry or a seasoned professional, this offering simplifies complexities, provides insightful compliance tips, and includes a glossary and references to other valuable resources. Buy now to seamlessly grasp the Rules’ impact on all ACH Network participants.
This manual is an invaluable tool for any candidate studying for the AAP or APRP exams and for those preparing for ACH annual audits or examinations by regulatory agencies.
414 - ACH Risk Management Handbook, 8th Edition
A Comprehensive Guide to Mitigating Risk
ACH participants must take action to control risk in any payment system - including the ACH Network. The 8th edition provides the latest information on Nacha's strategies to identify and mitigate risks and provides recommendations for developing an effective risk management program for any organization involved in the creation or processing of ACH transactions. The threats to ACH payments are not unique to the ACH Network and the lessons learned can be applied to create a holistic payments risk management program. In addition, case studies are included in each chapter to offer realistic examples to assist you in evaluating and implementing your risk management program. This manual is an invaluable tool for individuals building or improving the Risk Management programs at their organization and for candidates studying for the AAP or APRP exams.
539 - Guide for Completing a Third-Party Sender ACH Risk Assessment
Electronic Version
The Guide for Completing a Third-Party ACH Risk Assessment is a publication designed to assist in completing a step-by-step assessment. Each Third-Party Sender is required to perform a risk assessment of their ACH activities and implement a risk management program in accordance with the requirements of the Nacha Operating Rules. Individual sections within the document address: risk management systems & controls, credit risk, high-risk activities and direct access to the ACH Operator, compliance and transaction risk, vendor & third-party management, information technology & information security, and business continuity. A pre-assessment checklist and guide directions are included to assist the assessor. The document includes tools to help the assessor understand ACH participants and payment applications. Electronic Version
2024 Version Available Mid-March
538 - Guide for Completing Your ACH Risk Assessment
Electronic Version
The 2023 Guide for Completing Your ACH Risk Assessment is a publication designed to assist financial institutions in completing a step-by-step assessment. Each financial institution is required to perform a risk assessment of its ACH activities and implement a risk management program in accordance with the requirements of its regulators. Individual sections within the document address: risk management systems and controls, credit risk, high-risk activities and direct access to the ACH Operator, compliance and transaction risk, vendor and third-party management, information technology and information security, and business continuity. A pre-assessment checklist and guide directions are included to assist the assessor. The document includes tools to help the assessor understand ACH participants and payment applications.
ACH Guide for Originators – Advanced
Electronic Version -
The purpose of the ACH Corporate User Guide is to help corporations/businesses establish and maintain a successful ACH origination program. The guide explains the preliminary requirements, fundamental operations, and implementation concerns regarding specific ACH payment applications.
This guide is a “plain English" reference based on the Nacha Operating Rules & Guidelines and supplements more extensive resource materials. This guide references various in-depth resource materials and is not intended as a substitute for referencing and complying with the requirements published in the ACH Rules.
Format: (PDF)
ACH Guide for Originators – Basic
Electronic Version -
The purpose of this guide is to provide a high-level, easy-to-comprehend understanding of the Nacha Operating Rules and Guidelines for companies originating ACH transactions. Also includes a sample letter for financial institutions to use in communicating the delivery of the guide to their corporate Originators.
Format: PDF
ACH Origination Agreement (SFE)
Electronic Format
This sample agreement, in a Word document format, includes critical terms and conditions that should be addressed in a legal agreement between a financial institution and its originators. There are numerous blanks and fields that should be completed and appropriately formatted before using this Agreement. Please remember that all contracts and agreements should be reviewed and modified where necessary by your legal counsel to be consistent with the specific needs or operations of your institution.
Format: Electronic
ACH Origination Agreement Checklist for FI's
Electronic Version
This checklist may be used as a resource when drafting your ACH Origination Agreement. The topics included in the checklist are general topics that may not be consistent with the way your Financial Institution operations. This checklist may not appropriately address all the laws or regulations specific to the state where your Financial Institution is locates and is not intended to constitute legal advice.
ACH Origination Third-Party Sender Agreement (SFE)
Electronic Format
This sample agreement, in a Word document format, includes critical terms and conditions that should be addressed in a legal agreement between a financial institution and a Third-Party Sender. There are numerous blanks and fields that should be completed and appropriately formatted before using this Agreement. Please remember that all contracts and agreements should be reviewed and modified where necessary by your legal counsel to be consistent with the specific needs or operations of your institution.
ACH Originator Annual Letter (Sample)
Electronic Version -
Specifically crafted for Originating Depository Financial Institutions (ODFIs), this letter serves as an annual engagement tool with ACH Originators. It provides instructions on accessing the Nacha Operating Rules online and includes a comprehensive breakdown of the 2024 Federal Reserve Bank holidays. The letter is provided in a Word document format, offering ODFIs the flexibility to seamlessly integrate any additional pertinent information from their ACH origination education program into the letter.
592 - ACH Quick Reference Cards for Corporate Users
Electronic Version -
569 - Guide to ACH Origination
Electronic Document
50500 - Image & RDC Guide
Electronic
The purpose of the Image and Remote Deposit Capture Guide is to provide your institution with an overview of Check 21, remote deposit capture, image exchange, ACH check conversion, and to help you gain a better understanding of the best clearing options. Utilize this guide to decide if you should implement a branch capture or image exchange solution and how to offer a remote deposit capture product to your customers. Included is a sample FI/Company RDC Agreement; a sample RDC Risk Management Policy; and two sample RFP's just to name a few.
Format: Electronic
Origination Handbook - TEL, WEB & CIE SEC Codes
Electronic Version -
This convenient, quick-reference tool is ideal for assisting with Originator education and training. Filled with all the knowledge necessary for compliant ACH operations in a condensed format more easily referenced and digested by the Originator, each handbook includes an overview of the ACH Network, its participants, and why it is a safe, efficient payment system. The TEL edition also includes: a checklist for beginning Direct Payment origination; a discussion of what constitutes a TEL authorization along with two sample authorization scripts; simplified File structure information; and other core concepts.
27000 - Rules Review Guide for Originating Companies
Electronic Version -
This Rules Review Guide is designed to assist an originating company when reviewing its ACH functions and to provide an understanding of the requirements of the Nacha Operating Rules. The guide will help the originating company and its Financial Institution stay in compliance with the Nacha Operating Rules.
This guide contains the following attachments:
- 7-page ACH Rules Review Guide
- ACH Originator Review Form
- Sample Direct Deposit via ACH Authorization (Originator - Consumer Receiver)
- Sample Direct Payment via ACH Authorization (Originator - Consumer Receiver)
- Sample Authorization Language and Ineligible Items for ACH Check Conversion
- Returns, Notifications of Change (NOCs), & Other Codes
- Glossary of Terms
- ACH Security Framework Guidance and Checklists
511 - Third-Party Senders & the ACH Network (4th Edition)
This 4th Edition update provides a review of the variations in legal requirements and processing obligations relating to the origination of ACH entries when a Third-Party Sender is involved in the origination of transactions through the ACH Network. This edition reflects the latest Nacha Operating Rules changes, offers real-world examples of Third-Party Sender relationships, and includes sound business practices, risk management topics and a checklist of issues to be addressed by ODFIs, Originators, and Third-Party Senders in processing agreements. Third-Party Senders and ODFIs partnering with and managing these organizations will benefit from the information discussed.
ACH Policies & Procedures Guide
Electronic Format
Don't go into your next examination with incomplete policies and procedures! The 2024 ACH Policies & Procedures Guide is a comprehensive template built for financial institutions. There has yet to be as complete a set of policies, procedures, and supplements available to DFIs for ACH. The expert authors believe strongly that sample policies are not effective therefore this Guide allows for personalization in each area that a financial institution should make a business decision. Customization is easy in this electronic format. (Electronic Version Only)
Format: Electronic
Please Note: This product will be available in mid-March 2024.
529OL - ACHPro (Online)
ACHPro is a self-paced, computer-based training program developed to increase your knowledge of the ACH. ACHPro has been developed to promote knowledge of the ACH network. This tool can be used to evaluate your level of expertise of the ACH and related payment systems, and to identify those areas that may require additional development. ACHPro was designed to make learning fun.
User Access opens in early May and closes Friday, December 29th
Registration closes Friday, October 27th