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If you get into the field of payment processing or want to learn more about it, you may encounter the term “ACH.” This stands for an automated clearing house. It’s a nationwide network that takes care of all electronic fund transfers between banks.
There’s such a thing as an ACH merchant account, and it’s one that allows the holder to accept payments right from a customer’s bank account with the help of an automated clearing house. Only businesses can hold them, as the inclusion of the word merchant implies.
There’s also what you might call an instant ACH setup. We’ll discuss that right now. We’ll cover what they are, and also how they can benefit certain businesses.
How Does This Type of Transaction Work?
Instant ACH refers to a kind of bank transfer. When one is implemented, money moves between accounts much faster than what you would get with a standard or traditional ACH transfer.
The standard ACH transfer might take as long as 1-3 business days. Instant ACH works within a few minutes, or sometimes as long as a couple of hours. Some providers that offer this service are even willing to front the necessary funds for the transfer to go through while the actual transfer is going on in the background.
What is Preferable About the ACH Transfer Method?
Not every business will feel the need to implement instant ACH transfers. Usually, they are content to wait the 1-3 business days for a standard transaction to go through. However, sometimes, a company would prefer to have the transfer go through faster.
Usually, the reasons cited for why a company would want instant ACH transfers is because they are cost-effective and can potentially improve cash flow management, at least as compared to a traditional ACH transfer. Wire transfers and credit cards get the job done as well, but they take longer, and some businesses seem to feel that they’re outdated.
If you own or operate a business that has instant ACH in place, that frees up capital sooner. It also allows for faster settlements and reduced delays in payments.
What Kinds of Businesses Want Instant ACH?
It would be accurate to say that virtually any kind of business might want an instant ACH setup. That being said, it’s usually ones that prioritize efficiency and speed that most want them in place.
A company that looks into instant ACH might be in the eCommerce, tech, or finance sectors. Any business with high-volume recurring payments might also want this kind of a framework.
These might include SaaS companies or other subscription-based businesses. Any company with regular bill payments or that wants to simplify payroll may also be interested in this kind of setup.
Any time you have a company that wants to manage its cash flow efficiently or has to deal with time-sensitive information, they are also prime candidates for instant ACH. The same is true for companies that want lower transaction fees, since this is something else instant ACH provides.
Also read:
Recurring Payment Processing: How It Works and What’s Needed to Start
EFT Payment Processing For Business
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