The ACH processing network serves 20,000 financial institutions, 3.5 million businesses, and 115 million individuals. ACH payment processing is a batch-oriented electronic funds transfer system governed by the NACHA Operating Rules which provide for interbank clearing of electronic payments for participating depository financial institutions.

ACH stands for Automated Clearing House. ACH is sometimes referred to as Electronic Funds Transfer or EFT. ACH processing payments are also called direct debits and direct deposits. Once payment information is submitted, transactions are encrypted and sent through the secure ACH Network to the Federal Reserve Bank for clearing and settlement.