NACHA Rules
Nacha ACH Appendix
Complete reference guide for ACH file format, batch information, and terminology for all Nacha Quick Reference collection rules
ACH File Format
The ACH file format consists of multiple levels of information that ensure proper processing and settlement of electronic payments through the ACH Network.Nacha Batch/File Level Information
Company Name
Company Name
Entity or individual originating batch of entries (Originator)
Company ID
Company ID
Number that uniquely identifies the Originator to the ODFI (tax ID number often used)
Settlement Date
Settlement Date
Three-digit Julian date which represents the date funds are actually settled by the ACH Operator (i.e., Federal Reserve Bank or The Clearing House)
Originator Status Code
Originator Status Code
Distinguishes between Commercial and Federal Government Originators:
- 1 = Commercial
- 2 = Federal Government entity or agency
Standard Entry Class Code
Standard Entry Class Code
Three-character alpha code which distinguishes application type and identifies which rules apply
Company Entry Description
Company Entry Description
Describes the entry and should be provided to the account holder
Effective Entry Date
Effective Entry Date
Date Originator intended entries to settle (actual Settlement Date may differ)
Entry/Addenda Count
Entry/Addenda Count
Total number of entries and addenda records in the file (or batch)
Total Debits/Total Credits
Total Debits/Total Credits
Value of entries in the file (or batch) for reconcilement
Entry Level Information
Individual Name
Individual Name
Name of account holder
Individual ID Number
Individual ID Number
Number that identifies Receiver to the originating entity
Trace Number
Trace Number
15-digit trace number that uniquely identifies an entry (first eight digits identify the routing number of ODFI or government agency)
Entry Type
Entry Type
Identifies whether entry is a debit or credit to:
- Demand account
- Savings account
- Financial institution’s general ledger account
- Credit or reversal to a loan account
Account Number
Account Number
Number of account for entry to be posted
Amount
Amount
Dollar value of the entry
Suggested Resources
ACH Audit Workbook
Workbook designed to assist financial institutions in completing required annual audits. Available through your Payments Association.
ACH Participant Directory
Provides quick access to routing numbers and contact information for financial institutions that participate in the ACH Network.
ACH Quick Reference Cards
Seven-card series covering ACH Returns, NOCs, Special Exceptions, Electronic Check Applications, IAT, WEB and TEL. Available through your Payments Association.
ACH Risk Assessment Workbook
Workbook designed to assist financial institutions in completing ACH Risk Assessments as required by regulators. Available through your Payments Association.
ACH Risk Management Handbook
Guide for analyzing risks associated with ACH processing and recommendations for risk control methods and procedures. Available through your Payments Association.
ACH Rules
Complete ACH Rules documentation. Available through your Payments Association.
Electronicpayments.org
Website designed to assist financial institutions, businesses and consumers in understanding electronic payments.
Go Direct®
U.S. Treasury campaign to motivate federal benefit recipients to use direct deposit.
Green Book
Comprehensive guide for financial institutions processing Federal Government ACH payments and collections.
OFAC Specially Designated Nationals List
Listing of targeted countries, nationals and entities requiring asset and transaction freezing.
UCC Article 4A and ACH Network
Source information for UCC 4A with commentary. Available through your Payments Association.
Glossary
A
Accounts Receivable Entry (ARC)
Accounts Receivable Entry (ARC)
A single-entry ACH debit initiated by an Originator to a Receiver’s account pursuant to a source document (i.e., check/sharedraft) provided to the Originator by the Receiver via U.S. mail, at a dropbox location or for an in-person bill payment at a manned location.
ACH Network
ACH Network
The funds transfer system governed by the ACH Rules of Nacha which provides for the inter-financial institution clearing of electronic entries for participating financial institutions.
ACH Operator
ACH Operator
An organization that provides processing services for the ACH Network. The Federal Reserve Bank and Electronic Payment Network (EPN) are examples of ACH Operators.
Acknowledgments (ACK/ATX)
Acknowledgments (ACK/ATX)
An ACH application using Standard Entry Class codes ACK and ATX which allows Originators to receive electronic acknowledgments from Receiving Depository Financial Institutions (RDFIs) advising receipt of corporate credit payments (CCD and CTX, respectively).
ACK
ACK
The Standard Entry Class code used by the Receiving Depository Financial Institution (RDFI) to acknowledge receipt of corporate credit entries received in the CCD format.
Addenda Record
Addenda Record
An ACH record type that carries supplemental data needed to completely identify an account holder(s) or provide information concerning a payment.
ANSI
ANSI
Acronym for American National Standards Institute.
ARC
ARC
The Standard Entry Class code for Accounts Receivable Entries.
ATX
ATX
The Standard Entry Class code used by the Receiving Depository Financial Institution (RDFI) to acknowledge receipt of corporate credit entries received in the CTX format.
Automated Clearing House (ACH) Network
Automated Clearing House (ACH) Network
The funds transfer system governed by the ACH Rules of Nacha which provides for the inter-financial institution clearing of electronic entries for participating financial institutions.
Automated Enrollment (ENR)
Automated Enrollment (ENR)
A credit or debit enrollment entry initiated by a participating Depository Financial Institution (DFI) to a federal government agency on behalf of an account holder at the DFI. Entries must include at least one addenda record that relays information pertaining to the account holder on whose behalf the ENR is initiated.
Auxiliary On-Us Field
Auxiliary On-Us Field
An optional, variable format field of the MICR line of a check or sharedraft. It is positioned to the left of the routing number and data located in this field is bracketed by on-us symbols. The information contained in the Auxiliary On-Us Field is determined by the financial institution and may contain the check serial number or a financial institution code for the account.
B
Back Office Conversion Entry (BOC)
Back Office Conversion Entry (BOC)
An ACH application that allows Originators (merchants, retailers, etc.) to initiate single-entry ACH debits by using the check as a source document when appropriate notice is provided in person by the Originator to the Receiver (check writer) for a purchase made at the point-of-sale or at a manned bill payment location.
Banking Day
Banking Day
With reference to a Depository Financial Institution (DFI), any day on which such DFI is open to the public for carrying on substantially all its banking functions; and with reference to an ACH Operator, any day on which the appropriate facility of such ACH Operator is being operated.
Batch
Batch
A group of records or documents considered as a single unit for the purpose of data processing.
BOC
BOC
The Standard Entry Class code for Back Office Conversion Entries.
Bureau of the Fiscal Service
Bureau of the Fiscal Service
A bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury that is the government’s financial manager and which manages the government’s payments and collections.
C
CCD
CCD
The Standard Entry Class code for Corporate Credit or Debit.
Commercially Reasonable
Commercially Reasonable
A commercially reasonable system, technology, practice or procedure is one that corresponds to commonly accepted commercial practices among commonly situated Originators conducting similar types of business.
Commercially Reasonable Security Procedures
Commercially Reasonable Security Procedures
A security procedure for the transmission of payment orders which meets the relevant tests under the Uniform Commercial Code Article 4A.
Company/Batch Header Record
Company/Batch Header Record
The record(s) contained within an ACH file that describes the Originator(s) of an ACH transaction(s) and the types of transactions within that batch.
COR
COR
The Standard Entry Class code for Automated Notification of Change or Refused Notification of Change.
Corporate Credit or Debit (CCD)
Corporate Credit or Debit (CCD)
An ACH debit or credit entry initiated by an organization to consolidate funds of that organization or to fund outlying accounts. It is also used for corporate payments. CCD+ is a CCD entry with one addenda record.
Corporate-to-Corporate Payments
Corporate-to-Corporate Payments
Payments made through the ACH Network by trading partners, normally using the CCD, CCD+ or CTX formats.
Corporate Trade Exchange (CTX)
Corporate Trade Exchange (CTX)
An automated corporate payment that supports the transfer of funds (debit or credit) within a trading partner relationship in which a full ANSI ASC X12 message or payment-related UN/EDIFACT information is sent with the funds transfer. A CTX transaction can have up to 9,999 addenda records.
Credit Risk
Credit Risk
The risk that a party to a transaction cannot provide the necessary good funds, as previously committed by files originated, in order for settlement to take place.
CTX
CTX
The Standard Entry Class code used for Corporate Trade Exchange Entries.
Customer-Initiated Entry (CIE)
Customer-Initiated Entry (CIE)
ACH credit entries initiated by a consumer through direct contact with an Originator such as a bill paying or home banking system.
D
Data Transmission
Data Transmission
The electronic exchange of information between two data processing points (computers).
Death Notification Entry (DNE)
Death Notification Entry (DNE)
An automated notice of death sent by a federal government agency to a financial institution to notify the financial institution that a recipient of benefit payments from that agency (and possibly other agencies as well as private sector payers) has passed away. An entry to request transfer or removal of funds from an account.
Debit Block
Debit Block
A process used to restrict debits to a demand deposit account.
Destroyed Check Entry (XCK)
Destroyed Check Entry (XCK)
This application can be utilized by a collecting institution for the collection of certain checks when those checks have been lost or destroyed or cannot be processed through image exchange.
Direct Deposit via ACH
Direct Deposit via ACH
Deposit of funds to a consumer’s account for payroll, travel reimbursement, government benefits, tax and other refunds, and annuities and interest payments.
Direct Payment via ACH
Direct Payment via ACH
Use of funds for making a payment. Individuals or organizations can send or receive a Direct Payment as an ACH credit or debit. Basically, any ACH payment that is not a Direct Deposit is known as a Direct Payment.
DNE
DNE
The Standard Entry Class code used by the Federal Government for Death Notification Entries.
E
e-Check
e-Check
A generic term for an ACH debit to a Receiver’s account that is originated on the Internet, at the point-of-sale, over the telephone, or by bill payment sent through the mail or dropped in an unattended drop box.
EDI
EDI
Acronym for Electronic Data Interchange.
Effective Entry Date
Effective Entry Date
The date on which the Originator requests ACH transactions be posted to the Originator’s and Receiver’s accounts. The ACH Operator overrides this date if the Effective Entry Date is not a banking day.
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
A computer to computer exchange of standard business data according to agreed upon data formats.
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
Any transfer of funds initiated through a terminal, telephone or computer for the purpose of instructing or authorizing a financial institution to debit or credit an account.
Electronic Fund Transfer Act
Electronic Fund Transfer Act
The law passed by the U.S. Congress in 1978 which set out the rights and obligations of consumers and their financial institutions regarding the use of electronic systems to transfer funds. This act is implemented in the Federal Reserve Bank’s Regulation E.
Encryption
Encryption
A term that refers to a computer-generated algorithm that allows secure communication between parties.
ENR
ENR
The Standard Entry Class code used for Automated Enrollment Entries.
Entry
Entry
An electronic item representing the transfer of funds in the ACH Network.
Error Resolution Process
Error Resolution Process
Procedures required under Regulation E for resolving a consumer’s allegation that entries were improperly charged to the consumer’s account.
Exception Item
Exception Item
Any entry that requires special attention or processing, such as return entries, stop payments, notifications of change, dishonored returns, etc.
Existing Relationship
Existing Relationship
A written agreement that is in place between the Originator and Receiver or when the Receiver has purchased goods or services from the Originator in the past two years.
Exposure Limit
Exposure Limit
A maximum total limit established by an Originating Depository Financial Institution (ODFI) for each of its Originators beyond which the ODFI is unwilling to process additional ACH files. This limit is established as a fraud and error control under the ODFI’s risk management program. The ACH Rules require the ODFI to monitor this limit across multiple settlement dates to ensure that a particular Originator does not inadvertently exceed it.
F - H
FI
FI
Abbreviation for Financial Institution. An organization that can originate and receive payments such as a bank, savings and loan and/or credit union.
Field
Field
One or more consecutive character positions within an ACH entry mapped to contain specific information.
File
File
A group of ACH entries sorted for delivery to an ACH receiving point.
File Control Record
File Control Record
The last record of an ACH file indicating termination of the information within the file.
File Header Record
File Header Record
The first record of an ACH file containing information necessary to route, validate and track ACH items contained within the file.
Financial Electronic Data Interchange (FEDI)
Financial Electronic Data Interchange (FEDI)
An ACH application that involves the transmission of remittance information in the addenda of an ACH transaction using ANSI standards.
Financial Institution (FI)
Financial Institution (FI)
An organization that can originate and receive payments such as a bank, savings and loan and credit union.
Funds Availability
Funds Availability
The time at which the funds from an electronic funds transfer are made available to the customer.
Go Direct
Go Direct
A campaign sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Banks to motivate people who receive federal benefit checks (i.e., Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, etc.) to use direct deposit.
Green Book
Green Book
A publication of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service, that specifies procedures for ACH transactions originated on behalf of the Federal Government. The Green Book implements the requirements of Title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 210, concerning government use of the ACH system.
Hash
Hash
A mathematical calculation that creates a single number from critical fields in each transaction entry, as a validation against inadvertent alteration of data contents due to hardware failure or program error.
I - L
IAT
IAT
The Standard Entry Class code for International ACH Transaction.
Individual Identification Number
Individual Identification Number
The number used in an ACH transaction by the Originator to identify the Receiver (e.g., account number with a biller, Social Security number).
Insufficient Funds
Insufficient Funds
The account holder does not have sufficient funds to cover an item presented for payment.
International ACH Transaction (IAT)
International ACH Transaction (IAT)
A credit or debit ACH entry that is part of a payment transaction involving a financial agency’s office (i.e., depository financial institution or business issuing money orders) that is not located in the territorial jurisdiction of the United States.
Internet-Initiated/Mobile Entry (WEB)
Internet-Initiated/Mobile Entry (WEB)
A debit entry initiated by an Originator pursuant to an authorization obtained from the Receiver via a secure Internet session. A WEB entry may also be a credit entry initiated by or on behalf of a consumer to a Consumer Account of a Receiver.
Julian Date
Julian Date
A numeric day of the year. For example, January 12 has the Julian date of 012.
KYC
KYC
Know Your Customer (or Client)—A term used to describe a set of money laundering control policies and procedures that are used to determine the true identity of a customer/client.
Live Entry
Live Entry
An entry which creates a funds transfer as opposed to a prenotification or other zero-dollar item. Also referred to as a live dollar entry.
Lockbox
Lockbox
A financial institution or Third-Party Processor service that facilitates rapid collection and posting of corporate receivables. Typically, customer payments are mailed to a lockbox or mailbox for collection, sorting, totaling and recording by the bank or provider rather than by the billing organization.
M - O
Machine Transfer Entry (MTE)
Machine Transfer Entry (MTE)
A credit or debit entry initiated at an electronic terminal as defined in Regulation E to affect a transfer of funds to or from a consumer account.
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) Line
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) Line
The pre-printed bottom line of a paper check which contains the routing number of the drawee and the check number printed in machine-readable magnetic ink. Also referred to as Magnetic Ink Character Recognition Line.
Mandatory Field
Mandatory Field
A mandatory field is necessary to ensure the proper routing and/or posting of an ACH entry. Any mandatory field not included in an ACH record will cause that entry, batch or file to be rejected by the ACH Operator before it ever gets sent to the Receiving Depository Financial Institution (RDFI).
MTE
MTE
The Standard Entry Class code for Machine Transfer Entries (MTE).
Nacha
Nacha
The national trade association for electronic payments, which establishes the rules, industry standards and procedures governing the exchange of commercial ACH payments by depository financial institutions.
Nacha Format
Nacha Format
The ACH record format specifications described in the Nacha Operating Rules and Guidelines, which are the accepted and warranted payment format standards for payments delivered through the ACH Network.
Nested Third-Party Sender (TPS)
Nested Third-Party Sender (TPS)
A TPS that has an origination agreement with another TPS to act on behalf of an Originator and does not have a direct origination agreement with the ODFI.
Notification of Change (NOC)
Notification of Change (NOC)
A non-dollar entry sent to the Originating Depository Financial Institution (ODFI) by the Receiving Depository Financial Institution (RDFI) that contains information for the correction of erroneous information contained within an ACH entry.
Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
The agency of the United States Government concerned with monitoring and controlling the assets and financial transactions of entities deemed to be, or acting on behalf of, enemies of the United States.
On-Us Entries
On-Us Entries
The term that refers to entries within an ACH file that belong to the Originating Depository Financial Institution (ODFI). These entries may be stripped from the file and posted internally before a file is sent to the ACH Operator.
Operational Risk
Operational Risk
The risk that a transaction is altered or delayed due to unintentional error in transmission, receiving or processing.
Optional Field
Optional Field
The inclusion or omission of an optional field is at the discretion of the Originator of an ACH transaction. While omission of optional fields will not affect the processing of the item, the Originator must still fill optional fields with blanks or other characters if they do not fill the field with actual information.
Originating Depository Financial Institution (ODFI)
Originating Depository Financial Institution (ODFI)
The financial institution that delivers ACH entries directly or indirectly through a third party to its ACH Operator.
Originator
Originator
The person or organization who has authorized an Originating Depository Financial Institution (ODFI) to transmit a credit or debit entry to the account of a Receiver with a Receiving Depository Financial Institution (RDFI), or if the Receiver is also the RDFI, to such Receiver. In some cases, the ODFI may also be the Originator.
P - R
Participant Directory
Participant Directory
A file listing prepared by Nacha of all financial institutions qualified to receive ACH entries. The directory is available from Accuity.
Participating Depository Financial Institution
Participating Depository Financial Institution
Any financial institution that is authorized to originate/receive ACH entries.
Payment System
Payment System
A communication system having the provisions to provide financial settlement information.
Point-of-Purchase Entry (POP)
Point-of-Purchase Entry (POP)
A single-entry debit initiated by merchants for a purchase made in-person at the point-of-sale or a manned bill payment location, using the Receiver’s check as a source document.
Point-of-Sale Entry (POS)
Point-of-Sale Entry (POS)
An automated consumer payment format used for point-of-sale transactions originated in a non-shared system in which no agreement other than the ACH Rules exist between the Originating Depository Financial Institution (ODFI) and Receiving Depository Financial Institution (RDFI), and in which transactions generally are initiated by use of a merchant issued plastic card.
POP
POP
The Standard Entry Class code used for the creation of Point-of-Purchase ACH entries.
POS
POS
The Standard Entry Class code used for the creation of Point-of-Sale ACH entries.
PPD
PPD
The Standard Entry Class code used for Prearranged Payment and Deposit ACH entries.
Prearranged Payment and Deposit (PPD)
Prearranged Payment and Deposit (PPD)
An automated consumer payment application, usually in the context of a standing obligation, which credits or debits the consumer’s account at their financial institution to satisfy that obligation.
Prenotification (Prenote)
Prenotification (Prenote)
An optional, non-monetary entry that is sent through the ACH Network by an Originator to a Receiving Depository Financial Institution (RDFI) to verify account information. This “test” entry is sent prior to the live entry.
Provisional Settlement
Provisional Settlement
The conditional settlement of debits and credits transferred via ACH. Until declared final by the Federal Reserve Bank, provisional settlement may be reversed.
RCK
RCK
The Standard Entry Class code used for the creation of Re-presented Check Entries.
RDFI
RDFI
Receiving Depository Financial Institutions (RDFI) - the financial institution that receives ACH entries from its ACH Operator and posts entries to Receivers’ accounts.
Receiver
Receiver
An individual, corporation or other entity that has authorized an Originator to initiate a credit or debit ACH entry to an account held at a Receiving Depository Financial Institution (RDFI).
Receiving ACH Operator
Receiving ACH Operator
The ACH Operator which passes entries to the Receiving Depository Financial Institution (RDFI).
Receiving Point
Receiving Point
The designated organization which receives ACH entries on behalf of a Receiving Depository Financial Institution (RDFI), whether the RDFI itself, a Third-Party Processor or a correspondent. Also referred to as a Third-Party Receiving Point.
Reclamation
Reclamation
A procedure to recover benefit payments from a financial institution that were paid to that financial institution on behalf of a deceased or legally incapacitated beneficiary.
Record
Record
A term that refers to information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.
Recurring Payment
Recurring Payment
A payment that occurs at a regular interval for the same amount each time. An example of a recurring payment is a monthly loan or rent payment.
Refused Notification of Change
Refused Notification of Change
A Notification of Change entry that has been returned to the Receiving Depository Financial Institution (RDFI) because of erroneous information contained within the original Notification of Change.
Payments Association (PA)
Payments Association (PA)
Provides rules and guidelines for the efficient operation of the ACH Network.
Regulation E
Regulation E
The regulation published by the Federal Reserve Board to implement the Electronic Funds Transfer Act mandating consumer rights and obligations with regard to electronic fund transfers.
Rejected Entry
Rejected Entry
An entry which has been returned by the ACH Operator because it cannot be processed, usually because of a technical error in the entry, batch or file containing the entry.
Remake
Remake
A replacement file generated upon request because an original file was unprocessable for some reason.
Re-presented Check Entry (RCK)
Re-presented Check Entry (RCK)
A single-entry debit initiated for the purpose of collecting a paper check that has been returned for insufficient or uncollected funds.
Required Field
Required Field
The omission of a required field will not cause rejection of an ACH entry at the ACH Operator level, but may cause rejection at the Receiving Depository Financial Institution (RDFI) level. An example of this is the omission of the Receiver’s account number.
Reversals
Reversals
Any ACH entries or files sent within required deadlines to “correct” or reverse previously originated duplicate or erroneous entries or files.
Revocation
Revocation
The process of canceling a previously authorized ACH transaction. The revocation must be made directly with the Originator of the item in the manner specified in the original authorization form signed by the Receiver, and cannot be done via other parties such as the Receiving Depository Financial Institution (RDFI).
Routing Transit Number (RTN)
Routing Transit Number (RTN)
A nine-digit number (eight digits plus a check digit) which identifies a specific financial institution. Routing numbers are administered by the Routing Number Administrative Board under the sponsorship of the American Bankers Association and officially maintained and published by Accuity. Also known as an ABA number.
S - U
Sending Point
Sending Point
The designated organization that sends ACH entries to the ACH Operator on behalf of an Originating Depository Financial Institution (ODFI), whether the ODFI itself, a Third-Party Processor or a correspondent. Also referred to as a Third-Party Sending Point.
Settlement
Settlement
A transfer of funds between two parties in cash, negotiable items or on the books of a mutual depository to complete one or more prior transactions and made subject to final accounting. Settlement for the ACH Network occurs through the Federal Reserve Bank, with the exchange of funds occurring on settlement day.
Settlement Account
Settlement Account
An account established by a financial institution, either directly with the Federal Reserve Bank or through a correspondent, for the funding of financial transactions.
Settlement Date
Settlement Date
The date of which an exchange of funds with respect to an entry or entries is reflected on the books of the Federal Reserve Bank.
Shared Network Transactions (SHR)
Shared Network Transactions (SHR)
Similarly Authenticated
Similarly Authenticated
Authentication of the Authorizing party by digital signature such as a unique PIN number.
Standard Entry Class (SEC) Code
Standard Entry Class (SEC) Code
A three-character code within an ACH Company/Batch Header Record to identify the application type contained within an ACH entry that also determines the rules that apply to that entry (e.g., PPD, CCD, CTX, etc.).
Statement of ACH Activity
Statement of ACH Activity
An advice prepared by the ACH Operator stating the number of items and dollar value of an ACH file.
Stop Payment Order
Stop Payment Order
A directive by an account holder to its financial institution not to pay a particular ACH transaction or specific check.
Systemic Risk
Systemic Risk
The possibility that one or more financial institutions will face losses (and/or go out of business) because of the inability of other financial institutions to settle their net debit obligations at the time of settlement.
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
An identification number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service to taxpayers. The TIN for individuals is their Social Security number; for businesses it is their Employer Identification Number.
Tax Payment Convention (TXP)
Tax Payment Convention (TXP)
An industry-wide convention (or agreement) for consistently formatting tax payment information carried in the addenda records attached to ACH tax payments. The TXP format for paying state and local taxes is slightly different from the IRS version.
TEL
TEL
The Standard Entry Class code used for the creation of Telephone-Initiated Entries.
Telephone-Initiated Entry (TEL)
Telephone-Initiated Entry (TEL)
A debit entry initiated by an Originator in accordance with the Receiver’s oral authorization for the purchase of goods or services over the telephone.
Third-Party Processor
Third-Party Processor
A third party that sends and/or receives ACH files on behalf of the Originator (e.g., payroll processor, bill payment provider).
Third-Party Receiving Point
Third-Party Receiving Point
A third party that receives ACH files on behalf of the Receiving Depository Financial Institution (RDFI). Examples include correspondent banks, corporate credit unions and processors. Also referred to as a Receiving Point.
Third-Party Sender
Third-Party Sender
Originating Depository Financial Institution (ODFI) customers to which Originators outsource payment services, but the ODFI has no direct customer or contractual relationship with the Originator. A Third-Party Sender provides services to the Originator, and, in that capacity, acts as an intermediary between the Originator and ODFI.
Third-Party Sending Point
Third-Party Sending Point
A third party that sends ACH files on behalf of the Originating Depository Financial Institution (ODFI). Examples include correspondent banks, corporate credit unions and processors. Also referred to as a Sending Point.
Third-Party Service Provider (ACH context)
Third-Party Service Provider (ACH context)
A third party that processes ACH files and/or entries on behalf of financial institutions and/or Originators. Third-Party Sending Points, Third-Party Receiving Points, Third-Party Processors and Third-Party Senders are subsets of Third-Party Service Providers.
Third-Party Tax Payment Convention (TPP)
Third-Party Tax Payment Convention (TPP)
A standard ACH process that may be implemented by a state taxing authority to identify the tax payer when a third-party tax payer is involved in remitting the tax payment on behalf of the tax payer.
Trace Number
Trace Number
A 15-digit code uniquely identifying each entry within a batch in an ACH file. The first eight digits of the trace number consists of the routing number (minus the check digit) of the Originating Depository Financial Institution (ODFI).
Transaction Code
Transaction Code
The two-digit code in the ACH record that determines whether an entry is a debit or credit to a savings, demand deposit, FI general ledger account or a credit to a loan account. The transaction code also denotes whether the entry is a prenotification or live entry.
Transaction Risk
Transaction Risk
The possibility that a loss will be sustained due to the incorrect transfer of funds. An example of this would be a transaction which would normally be processed as a wire transfer, with all of the normal associated security procedures for wire transfers, converting to an ACH transaction without having the same security procedures in place.
TRC/TRX
TRC/TRX
The Standard Entry Class codes used for the creation of ACH entries from truncated checks.
Truncated Check Entry (TRC)
Truncated Check Entry (TRC)
An ACH entry that originally represented a check in which the actual check is safekept by one of the financial institutions in the chain of deposit. The MICR information is then converted to an electronic entry and processed through the ACH Network back to the issuing institution.
Truncated Check Entries Exchange (TRX)
Truncated Check Entries Exchange (TRX)
A series of TRC entries put together as addenda records with the payment item representing the total settlement of the TRC entries for that batch.
Uniform Commercial Code Article 4A (UCC 4A)
Uniform Commercial Code Article 4A (UCC 4A)
The portion of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) which deals with certain funds transfers including ACH credit transactions not subject to the Electronic Funds Transfer Act or Regulation E. This law outlines the protections and responsibilities given to the parties to wholesale credit transactions and sets the legal standards for commercially reasonable security procedures to be used in conjunction with those transactions.
Unsecured Electronic Network (UEN)
Unsecured Electronic Network (UEN)
A network, public or private, that is not located entirely within a single, contiguous, physical facility and any part of which that has not implemented security technologies that provide a commercially reasonable level of security that complies with applicable regulatory requirements. Unencrypted email and an unencrypted website are examples of an Unsecured Electronic Network.
USA PATRIOT Act
USA PATRIOT Act
The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 was implemented in the aftermath of the events of September 11, 2001 and introduced a plethora of legislative changes which significantly increased the surveillance and investigative powers of law enforcement agencies in the United States.
W - X
Warehousing
Warehousing
The electronic storage of debit or credit transactions by a data processing system until their effective date.
WEB
WEB
The Standard Entry Class code used for the creation of Internet-Initiated/Mobile Entries.
Wholesale Credit
Wholesale Credit
Under the Uniform Commercial Code Article 4A, wholesale credit transactions are defined (roughly) as electronic credit transactions between commercial entities, such as businesses and their financial institutions. This term includes individual commercial ACH credit transactions and certain payment orders such as wire transfers and internal transfers, and as such, these transactions are subject to the provisions of Article 4A. An ACH file that is composed of individual consumer transactions is considered to be subject to UCC4A as well because, in the aggregate, the entire file is a transaction between a corporate entity and the Originating Depository Financial Institution (ODFI).
Written Statement of Unauthorized Debit
Written Statement of Unauthorized Debit
XCK
XCK
The Standard Entry Class code used for the creation of Destroyed Check Entries.
This appendix serves as a comprehensive reference for ACH processing terminology and procedures. Bookmark this page for quick access to definitions and explanations of ACH-related terms and concepts.