ACH Support Guide
Manage and schedule ACH payments confidently with this overview of cutoff times, processing timelines, and best practices.
ACH (Automated Clearing House) is a secure, U.S.-based electronic payment network that enables the transfer of funds between banks and credit unions. ACH transactions are commonly used for direct deposit, vendor payments, payroll, and other recurring or one-time payments.
For businesses, ACH offers a cost-effective and reliable way to streamline cash flow, reduce check handling, and automate routine payments.
To ensure your ACH files are processed on time, please submit them before the cutoff for your selected processing type:
| Processing Type | Cutoff Times (PST) |
| Same Day ACH | 5:00AM, 9:30AM, 12:00PM |
| Standard ACH | 3:00PM |
Submissions after the cutoff will be processed the next available business day.
ACH transactions are typically prefunded, meaning your business account will be debited 1–2 business days before the effective date (the day recipients receive funds). Below are two examples showing how timing works.
Choosing a 1-day or 2-day schedule depends on your internal workflow and when you want your account to be debited.
Example 1: 1-Day Prefunding Schedule
Goal: Employees are paid on Friday, August 15, 2025.
| Day | Action |
| Thursday, Aug 14 | Submit and approve payroll ACH file before 3:00 PM cutoff. First Fed debits your account on the same day. |
| Friday, Aug 15 | Employees receive their funds. |
Example 2: 2-Day Prefunding Schedule
Goal: Your employees should receive direct deposit on Friday, August 15, 2025 (Effective Date).
| Day | Action |
| Monday, Aug 11 | Submit and approve ACH payroll file to First Fed (ODFI). Effective Date is set to Friday. |
| Wednesday, Aug 13 | First Fed debits your account for the payroll total (2 days before funds post). |
| Friday, Aug 15 | Employees receive funds in their accounts (Effective Date). |
Security tokens are required for ACH transactions to help protect your business:
- Currently required at initiation
- Will soon be required at approval and login (as part of enhanced security protocols)
For help setting up or using your token, visit the Token Support Page or contact Treasury Support.
If you need to reverse an ACH payment:
- Entire batches can be reversed through the Business Digital Banking platform.
- Single entry reversals must be requested by contacting Treasury Support at 800-800-1577.
Reversals must be submitted within specific NACHA guidelines. Contact us promptly if you need assistance.