You open up your banking app and see a strange deposit marked โACH credit.โ Are you being scammed? Can you keep the money? And do you need to do anything special to get it?
Take a deep breath. Though you might not recognize the name, an ACH credit is actually one of the most common forms of electronic funds transfer in America. In fact, yours is one of 29.1 billion payments made on the ACH network per year, according to Nacha.
Today, weโll take a look at what ACH credits are, and how you can use them to send and receive money. Weโll also cover how your business can save money by using ACH, and how to get started today.
- What is an ACH credit?
- ACH Credit vs ACH Debit
- Are ACH credits safe?
- What do ACH credits cost?
- How long do ACH credits take to process?
- How to Use ACH Credits (as an Individual)
- How to Use ACH Credits (as a Business)
ACH payments allow banks (or payment service providers) to transfer money from one account to another, without using checks, credit cards, or cash. This makes them extremely useful for repeat transactions, like payroll or recurring monthly payments.
ACH Credit vs ACH Debit
ACH payments come in two flavors; credit or debit. The difference between the two lies in who initiates the transaction, and whether theyโre โpushingโ or โpullingโ the money in your account.
- An ACH credit is initiated by the sender, and โpushesโ money into the receiving account. An example of an ACH credit is a direct deposit paycheck.
- An ACH debit is initiated by the recipient, and โpullsโ the money from the sending account. An example of an ACH debit is an auto-pay bill or a monthly subscription.
Keep in mind that not all online bill pay or subscriptions are handled via the ACH network. They may also use credit card, debit card, or wire transfer. Why does that matter? ACH payments are generally safer, cheaper, and more easily reversible.
If the transaction asks for your bank account or checking information, instead of your credit or debit card, itโs probably using the ACH network.
Are ACH credits safe?
It may seem unusual when a business asks for your banking details, but ACH payments are actually one of the safest forms of online payment. In fact, the Federal Reserve found that ACH credits have the lowest rate of fraud by value. That means itโs even safer than entering your credit card information.
Of course, you should always use caution when entering your personal information online. Stick to trusted websites that use up-to-date methods of security.
As a business owner, be sure to choose a payment processor that provides secure payment entry and keeps your customersโ data encrypted.
What do ACH credits cost?
Thereโs typically no cost to receive an ACH credit, but there may be fees involved if youโre the one sending it.
The cost of sending an ACH credit depends on the payment processor your business uses. These costs may include:
- A flat fee per transaction. These often run between $0.20 – $1.50.
- A percentage of the transaction. Typically 0.5 – 1.5%.
- A combination of the above.
For example, PayPal charges 3.49% plus $0.49 per transaction for ACH invoicing. On the other end, with HubSpot Payments you pay 0.5% of the transaction amount, capped at $10 max.
Be aware that some payment processors may also charge monthly service fees or initial setup charges. Make sure to compare total costs when considering a payment provider.
How long do ACH credits take to process?
If youโre on the receiving end of an ACH credit, itโs probably already in your bank account by the time you heard about it.
If youโre the one initiating an ACH credit, most experts recommend to budget for 3-5 business days for a standard ACH transaction. ACH rules require credits to be processed within 1-2 business days, but that depends on when the request was received. It also doesnโt include weekends or holidays.
Some ACH credits may be eligible for same-day or next-day processing, so you should ask your payment provider about those services.
How to Use ACH Credits (as an Individual)
Individuals arenโt typically able to send ACH credits. Usually, an individual making a payment through ACH is actually authorizing an ACH debit.
To receive an ACH credit, youโll need to provide the sender with the same information youโd find on a paper check. This includes your:
- Name
- Routing number
- Bank account number
If youโre making a payment instead (an ACH debit), youโll also provide an authorization for a certain dollar amount.
Either way, the business should provide you with a secure method to enter in these details.
How to Use ACH Credits (as a Business)
To get started sending ACH credits, youโll need a merchant account or third-party payment processor. Many times this is already handled by your credit card processor, payroll services provider, or even your invoicing software.
If youโre just getting started with payment processing for the first time, thereโll be a short application process. For example, with HubSpot Payments, most accounts are ready to to begin making payments within 1-2 business days.
Once your account is approved, youโll need a way to securely collect the recipientsโ banking details. This is usually handled through a payment gateway thatโs provided by your processor. A payment gateway is a piece of software that typically takes the form of a payment portal or checkout cart.
After youโve got your payment processor and your payment gateway, youโre all set to start making ACH credits.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
As a recipient, you can rest easy that the ACH credit in your account is a trusted form of payment.
As a business, you can extend that same trust to your customers by offering ACH as an option. ACH payments are safe, simple, and can save you money.