A recently approved change to the Nacha Rules will accelerate funds available for some ACH credits. 

Under the existing Rules governing standard ACH payments, if a Receiving Depository Financial Institution (RDFI) receives funds from an ACH Operator by 5 p.m. local time on the banking day before the settlement date, the funds must be available to withdraw no later than 9 a.m. local time on the settlement date.

But both ACH Operators routinely deliver files to RDFIs multiple times after 5 p.m. So, under the new Rule, that 5 p.m. receipt time condition will go away, meaning all standard ACH credits will be available by 9 a.m. local time on the settlement date. The Rule takes effect Sept. 18, 2026.

“Accelerating funds availability provides a real benefit to receivers of ACH credits, such as employees,” said Mike Herd, Nacha Executive Vice President, ACH Network Administration. 

And while ACH is most closely associated with domestic U.S. payments, there’s also a cross-border component. It’s called an International ACH Transaction (IAT) and in 2024 there were some 121 million of them. The Nacha Rules governing IATs have been in place since 2009, but now they’re getting an update. 

Nacha voting members have approved five Rules changes regarding IATs, with perhaps the most important one clarifying the definition of what an IAT is. 

“Clarity is key, and this Rule will help both ACH Originators and Originating Depository Financial Institutions (ODFIs) in determining whether a payment should be classified as an IAT,” said Herd. “With this new definition, Nacha expects to see more organizations begin using IATs as a safe, fast, inexpensive cross-border payment method.” This Rule becomes effective Sept. 18, 2026.

Learn more about the recently approved new Nacha Rules on Nacha.org.