How to Make an ACH Payment to Another Bank

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Two hands displaying cash and a smartphone calculator with a digital display, indicating a financial transaction.
Credit: pexels.com, Two hands displaying cash and a smartphone calculator with a digital display, indicating a financial transaction.

To make an ACH payment to another bank, you'll need to have the recipient's bank account information. This includes their routing number and account number.

The routing number is a 9-digit code that identifies the bank and the location where the account is held. You can find this information on a check from the recipient's bank.

ACH payments can only be made to accounts at banks that participate in the ACH network, which is most banks in the US.

What You Need to Know

To make an ACH payment, you need to provide basic information about yourself and the person or business you're paying.

You'll likely need to fill out a form with your personal information, bank account details, and possibly a voided check with your signature.

The system needs this information to ensure it has permission to transfer funds and that your payment goes to the right place.

Setting up an account with a platform like BILL can make the process relatively easy and convenient.

Credit: youtube.com, What Is ACH Payment Processing?

To pay a new vendor, you can invite them to join the BILL network, and the system will guide them through the signup process.

Once they're in the network, you can make an ACH payment to them whenever you need to, whether it's a one-time transfer or a recurring payment.

Options for Payment

Making an ACH payment to another bank can be a bit complex, but don't worry, it's easier than you think.

You can choose between two primary methods: ACH debit and ACH credit. ACH debit involves granting authorization to a recipient to pull funds from your bank account, while ACH credit involves pushing funds from your bank account to the recipient's bank account.

For ACH debit, you'll need to provide your bank account information to the recipient, which is commonly used for recurring payments or one-time payments like utility bills and mortgage payments.

To do an ACH transfer via debit payment, follow these steps:

With BILL, you can even set up your own approval rules, and approvers can receive approval requests as notifications on their mobile device, significantly reducing the time spent waiting on approvals.

Once approved, you can pay the invoice for a low, flat ACH fee by clicking the "Pay" button, and BILL will take care of the rest, including printing and mailing a paper check if needed.

Making a Payment

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To make an ACH payment to another bank, you'll need to gather the necessary information about the recipient and their bank account. This typically includes the bank account number and routing number, as well as authorization to initiate the transaction.

You'll also need to specify the payment amount and purpose of the transaction. It's essential to verify the recipient's bank account information to ensure the funds are directed to the correct account.

To initiate an ACH payment, you can use online banking platforms, payment processors, or specialized ACH service providers. Some banks also offer ACH credit services, which allow you to push funds from your account to the recipient's account.

Before finalizing the transaction, review the payment details to ensure accuracy. Verify the payment amount, recipient information, and any additional details required for the transaction.

Here are the typical steps to make an ACH payment:

  • Gather recipient information, including bank account number and routing number
  • Verify sufficient funds in your bank account
  • Choose an ACH payment method (debit or credit)
  • Provide payment details, including payment amount and purpose
  • Review and confirm the payment details
  • Initiate the payment through online banking or a payment processor
  • Retain documentation of the payment for your records

Note that ACH debit payments involve pulling funds from your account, while ACH credit payments involve pushing funds to the recipient's account.

Payment Details

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To make an ACH payment to another bank, you'll need to gather some basic information. This includes the recipient's name, bank account number, and bank routing number. You can typically find this information on a voided check or by logging into your online banking account.

You'll also need to specify the payment amount and purpose. This can be a one-time payment or a recurring payment, depending on your needs. For example, you might be paying a utility bill or setting up a recurring payment for a subscription service.

Here are the key details you'll need to make an ACH payment:

  • Bank account details: Bank account number and routing number of the account from which the funds will be debited
  • Authorization: Recipient's authorization to initiate the transaction (common for recurring payments)
  • Payment amount: Specify the amount of money you wish to transfer through the ACH payment
  • Payment purpose: Indicate the purpose of the transaction (e.g. bill payment, payroll, business transaction)
  • Payment processing method: Determine the method through which you will initiate the ACH payment (e.g. online banking, payment processor, specialized ACH service provider)

Remember to review and confirm the payment details carefully before submitting the payment.

What Is a Transfer?

A transfer is an electronic movement of funds through the Automated Clearing House Network, which processes transactions in batches, three times a day.

You might already be using the ACH network for everyday transactions, such as receiving direct payments from your employer or getting Social Security benefits deposited directly into your account.

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The ACH network handles over 29 billion payments totaling $72.6 trillion in 2021, making it a fast and secure way to transfer money.

To initiate a transfer, you typically need to link a bank account to another account using the same account and routing information, which may take a few days and require verifying small trial deposits.

The ACH network allows for both debits and credits, depending on who initiates the transfer, and can be described as "pushing" or "pulling" funds, but this doesn't refer to the direction of the money flow.

In some cases, you might ask your bank to send payments for you, while in others, you might give permission to a third party to take money out of your account, and they'll initiate the transfer.

Transfer Requirements

To make an ACH payment, you'll need to gather some basic information about yourself and the person or business you're paying.

You'll typically need to provide your bank account details, including the bank account number and routing number of the account from which the funds will be debited.

Credit: youtube.com, What details do you give someone to transfer money into your account?

Authorization may be required, especially for recurring payments or when debiting funds from another individual or business account.

The payment amount must be specified, and you'll need to indicate the purpose of the transaction, such as a bill payment or payroll.

You'll also need to determine the method through which you'll initiate the ACH payment, which can be done through online banking platforms, payment processors, or specialized ACH service providers.

Here are the specific details you'll need to provide:

  • Bank account details: bank account number and routing number
  • Authorization: recipient's authorization to initiate the transaction
  • Payment amount
  • Payment purpose
  • Payment processing method
  • ACH processing information (if applicable)

Transfer Limits

Transfer limits are a crucial aspect of ACH transfers that you should be aware of. You might have per transaction, per day, and per month limits for how much money you’re able to transfer through the ACH network.

If you exceed these limits, your transfer might be declined or delayed. Some banks also charge a fee if you make more than six ACH transfers from a savings account in a monthly statement period.

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Fees are another thing to consider when making ACH transfers. You typically have to pay a fee if you want faster processing times. Your bank might also charge an overdraft fee for insufficient funds if you start an ACH transfer and don’t have enough money to cover it.

It's essential to be aware of cutoff times for completing ACH transfers. If you miss the cutoff time, your transfer could be delayed until the next business day. If it’s a Friday, you might have to wait until after the weekend for the transfer to process.

Here are the key transfer limits to keep in mind:

  • Per transaction limit: varies by bank
  • Per day limit: varies by bank
  • Per month limit: varies by bank
  • Number of transfers (savings accounts): 6 per month
  • Fees for faster processing: varies by bank
  • Overdraft fees: varies by bank
  • Cutoff times: varies by bank

Payment Methods

There are two primary methods for making ACH payments: ACH debit and ACH credit. ACH debit involves granting authorization to a recipient to pull funds from your bank account.

You can use ACH debit for recurring payments or one-time payments where you provide your bank account information to the recipient. Examples of ACH debit transactions include utility bill payments, mortgage payments, and subscription fees.

Here are the two primary methods for making ACH payments:

Types of Transfers

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There are two primary types of ACH transfers: ACH debit and ACH credit. ACH debit involves pulling funds from your bank account, whereas ACH credit involves pushing funds to another bank account.

ACH debit transactions are commonly used for recurring payments or one-time payments where you provide your bank account information to the recipient. Examples include utility bill payments, mortgage payments, and subscription fees.

ACH credit transactions are used for various purposes such as payroll direct deposits, vendor payments, and tax refunds. Direct deposits are a specific type of ACH credit transaction that refers to funds being electronically deposited into a recipient's bank account.

Here are the two types of ACH transfers:

Debit ACH transactions are taken out of your account, often used for automatic payments set up for monthly bills. Credit ACH transactions, on the other hand, take longer to process and may come with a fee associated, typically used for transferring money between bank accounts of friends and family members.

Direct Deposit vs. Traditional Pay

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Direct deposit is a type of electronic payment that's processed through a third party, requested by the receiver. This is a key difference from ACH money transfers, which can go both to and from your account.

Direct deposits are typically one-way payments, whereas ACH money transfers can be reversed by the sender if needed. This can be a big advantage in certain situations, like overpaying.

The process of setting up direct deposit is often straightforward and convenient, but it's essential to understand the specifics of how it works. ACH money transfers, on the other hand, can be free for the sender but may require a fee for the receiver.

Direct deposit is often used for regular payments, such as payroll or benefits, and is a reliable way to receive funds. However, if you need to transfer money to someone else, an ACH money transfer might be a better option.

In terms of fees, direct deposit is usually free, but be aware that ACH money transfers can have fees associated with them. It's essential to understand the costs involved in each payment method to make informed decisions.

Ann Lueilwitz

Senior Assigning Editor

Ann Lueilwitz is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a proven track record of delivering high-quality content to various publications. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Ann has honed her skills in assigning and editing articles that captivate and inform readers. Ann's expertise spans a range of categories, including Financial Market Analysis, where she has developed a deep understanding of global economic trends and their impact on markets.

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