Accredited ACH Professional (AAP) Blue Ribbon Panel

Role and Operation: The AAP Blue Ribbon Panel functions as the administrative review board for the AAP Program and maintains responsibility for the following areas of the program:

1. Oversight responsibility for executing on the strategic direction of the AAP program
2. Review and revision of the AAP Program Policies
3. Development of new test questions
4. Review and revision of existing test questions to ensure accuracy of content and validity of topic area
5. Establishment of test cut score
6. Provide input on the Continuing Education policies
7. Oversight responsibility for the Accredited ACH Professional Handbook, the AAP Train-The-Trainer, and other AAP publications

The AAP Blue Ribbon Panel has one annual face-to-face meeting and may hold additional meetings by conference call. Occasionally, a second face-to-face meeting in a given year is necessary.

Composition: The panel consists of 10 to 12 volunteer members including the chairperson of the AAP Blue Ribbon Panel, ACH Network professionals drawn from the Nacha family, and Nacha staff.

Participant Expectations: Each member of the AAP Blue Ribbon Panel must have a thorough understanding of the ACH Network and be well versed in the requirements of the Nacha Operating Rules & Guidelines. AAP Blue Ribbon Panel Members must be AAPs.

Accredited Payments Risk Professional (APRP) Oversight Panel

Role and Operation: This group will be tasked with the oversight of the APRP Program. In this role the Panel will:

1. Review and revision of the APRP Program Policies
2. Oversight responsibility for executing on the strategic direction of the program
3. Development of new test questions
4. Review and revision of existing test questions to ensure accuracy of content and validity of topic area
5. Establishment of test cut score
6. Provide input on the Continuing Education policies
7. Oversight responsibility for the Accredited Payments Risk Professional Handbook, Handbook, the APRP Train-The-Trainer, and other APRP publications

The APRP Oversight Panel has one annual face-to-face meeting and may hold additional meetings by conference call. Occasionally, a second face-to-face meeting in a given year is necessary.

Composition: The panel consists of 12 to 18 volunteer members including the chairperson of the Risk Accreditation Panel, ACH Network professionals drawn from the Nacha family, and Nacha staff.

Participant Expectations: Each member of the Risk Accreditation Panel must have a thorough understanding of all payment methods including cards, checks, images and the ACH Network and be well versed in the requirements of the Nacha Operating Rules & Guidelines, the FFIEC Guidances, other payment network rules and compliance and overall risk management principles. An AAP or APRP Certification is preferred, but not required.

Risk Accreditation Program participants will not be eligible to sit for the Risk Accreditation Program exam until two years following the conclusion of their participation on the Panel.

ACH Rules Enforcement Panel

Role and Operation: This panel falls under the National System of Fines and is the final authority regarding the imposition of fines when there is a violation of the Nacha Operating Rules. Panel members make decisions in accordance with Appendix Nine (Rules Enforcement) of the Rules. Members participate in monthly conference calls. 
 
Composition: The panel is comprised of a primary and alternate representative from each of the following industry participants:

• The Federal Reserve Bank
• A private-sector ACH Operator
• A large asset size commercial bank or savings institution (greater than $100 billion)
• A medium asset size commercial bank or savings institution ($5 billion to $100 billion)
• A small asset size commercial bank or savings institution (less than $5 billion)
• A credit union
• A Payments Association

 
At this time, Nacha is soliciting nominations for: 

• A Payments Association (must be employed by a Payments Association)

 
Participant Expectations: The ACH Rules Enforcement Panel requires a high level of participation due to the nature of the work. Five of the seven panel members or alternates must be present on a conference call to constitute a quorum in order for the Panel to conduct business. In addition to participation in monthly conference calls, panel members must have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the ACH Network and Rules. Preference will be given to nominees that meet one or more of the following criteria: 
 

1. Accredited ACH Professional
2. Minimum of three years ACH payments experience
3. Previous participation on Nacha Rules & Operations Committee, Nacha Standing Committee, Rules Work Group, Nacha’s Board of Directors, or an individual serving in an official capacity for a Payments Association
    

Nacha Government Relations Advisory Group

Role and Operation: Nacha’s Government Relations Advisory Group (“GRAG”) supports Nacha’s government relations program – the objective of which is to promote use of the ACH Network and protect the interests of Network participants. GRAG members:

1. Review Nacha’s overall public policy development
2. Advise on policy priorities
3. Interact with payments policy people at the federal level

GRAG meets by conference call bi-monthly and in person one to two times per year.

Composition: GRAG consists of appointees representing Direct Financial Institutions, Payments Associations and their member financial institutions, and other stakeholders as Nacha deems appropriate.

Participant Expectations: Members of GRAG should have an interest in and be familiar with the public policy analysis and development process. GRAG members should be capable of translating public policy, proposed or enacted, into practical implications for the ACH Network and the payments system more generally.

Nacha relies on the input of its members, in particular members of GRAG, for assistance in assessing the implication of laws, regulations, and legislation on the ACH Network and developing policy responses and tactics accordingly. GRAG members may be asked to communicate with policymakers directly or otherwise represent Nacha before policymaking bodies and should be comfortable with this role.

GRAG members must also be capable of indirectly representing their respective organizations while directly representing Nacha on policy issues related to the payments system. In this regard, members of GRAG should expect to serve as a liaison between the government relations departments of their respective organizations (if applicable) and Nacha. GRAG members are expected to participate on conference calls when scheduled and to respond on a timely basis to requests for input by GRAG or Nacha staff.

Rules and Operations Committee

Role and Operation: The Rules and Operations Committee provides oversight to the Nacha rulemaking process. Through rulemaking, Nacha evaluates proposed rule amendments and opt-in programs. The Rules and Operations Committee:

1. Provides oversight to the Rulemaking Process
2. Assesses potential new ACH applications and services
3. Reviews Requests for Information and Requests for Comment
4. Reviews and approves ACH opt-in programs
5. Reviews and approves distributing ballots to the Nacha Voting Membership

Composition: Voting members of the Rules and Operations Committee are from Nacha’s Direct Members, community banks, credits unions and representatives of the ACH Network end-user or service provider community from the Nacha Payments Innovation Alliance membership. In addition, there are non-voting liaisons to the committee from the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, the U.S. Department of Treasury, and each ACH Operator.

Participant Expectations: Rules and Operations Committee members will participate on monthly conference calls and an annual in-person meeting (conditions permitting). Because of the important nature of the work, a high level of participation and engagement is expected.

Nacha is also currently accepting nominations for the Accredited Faster Payments Professional (AFPP) Oversight Panel through Sept. 30, 2022.

Nacha Staff Contacts

For more information on these opportunities, please contact:

AAP Blue Ribbon Panel and APRP Oversight Panel
Tryann Delaney
Director, Education & Accreditation
703-561-3946
tdelaney@nacha.org

ACH Risk Enforcement Panel
Lorie Nash, AAP
Senior Director, Compliance
703-561-3917
lnash@nacha.org 

Government Relations Advisory Group (GRAG)
Bill Sullivan
Senior Director and Group Manager, Government and Industry Relations
703-561-3943
wsullivan@nacha.org

Rules and Operations Committee
Debbie Barr, AAP, CTP
Senior Director, Network Rules Process & Communication
703-561-3920
dbarr@nacha.org