ACH Payment Compliance: What You Need to Know
Automated Clearing House (ACH) is a popular electronic payment system used by businesses and individuals to transfer funds between bank accounts. However, ACH transactions are subject to various laws and regulations that govern the transfer of funds. Failure to comply with these laws can result in hefty fines and even legal action. In this blog post, we will discuss ACH payment compliance and what you need to know to ensure that your transactions are above board.
The Rules of ACH Payment Compliance
ACH payments are governed by the National Automated Clearing House Association (NACHA) Operating Rules. These rules set out a framework for the processing of ACH transactions and cover everything from the roles and responsibilities of the parties involved to the timing of payments.
To comply with the NACHA Operating Rules, you need to:
1. Obtain proper authorization from the receiver: Before initiating an ACH transaction, you must obtain written authorization from the receiver. The authorization must be clear and unambiguous, and it must state the amount and frequency of the payments.
2. Verify the receiver's identity: To prevent fraud, you need to verify the identity of the receiver before initiating any ACH transactions. This can be done through various means, such as checking the receiver's ID, verifying their bank account information, or using a third party verification service.
3. Maintain accurate records: You must maintain accurate records of all ACH transactions, including the authorization, the amount, and the date of the transaction. These records must be kept for at least two years and must be readily accessible in case of an audit.
4. Comply with anti money laundering (AML) laws: AML laws require financial institutions to implement certain measures to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. To comply with these laws, you need to establish and maintain an AML program that includes customer due d