Nacha Operating Rules - New Rules
The Nacha Operating Rules are the foundation for every ACH payment. By defining the roles and responsibilities of financial institutions and establishing clear guidelines for each Network participant, the Rules ensure that millions of payments occur smoothly and easily each day. All Rules are displayed by effective date.
ACCESS COMPLIMENTARY NEW RULES WEBINAR RECORDING
Click here for a list of approved rule changes and implementation dates
RISK MANAGEMENT TOPICS – (Fraud Monitoring Phase 1)
These Rule amendments related to monitoring for fraud become effective on March 20, 2026 and are part of a larger Risk Management package intended to reduce the incidence of successful fraud attempts and improve the recovery of funds after frauds have occurred.
RISK MANAGEMENT TOPICS – Company Entry Descriptions
These two Rule amendments on Company Entry Descriptions become effective on March 20, 2026 and are part of a larger Risk Management package intended to reduce the incidence of successful fraud attempts and improve the recovery of funds after frauds have occurred.
New Return Reason Code for Sanctions Compliance Obligations
This rule will create a new return reason code (R90) to support an RDFI’s decision to return an entry in compliance with sanctions obligations. This rule also expands Article Three, Section 3.8 (RDFI's Right to Transmit Return Entries) to adopt a unique return time frame for returns related to sanctions compliance obligations.
International ACH Transactions (IAT)
This set of Rules includes two amendments: Optional Date of Birth Field for IAT Entries and Non-Bank Foreign Financial Agencies in IAT Entries.
These new Rules align with Nacha’s strategies and objectives for the ACH Network to improve the ACH user experience, increase awareness and understanding of ACH capabilities, and improve data flows for ACH payments.
Registration of IAT Contacts in the ACH Contact Registry
This Rule will require a Participating DFI to register their IAT- handling contact with either:
The name, title, email address, and phone number for at least one primary and one secondary contact person for the area of responsibility; or
Department contact information that includes an email address and a working telephone number.
Definition of IAT Entries
Industry participants have indicated difficulty in understanding the existing definition of IAT. The intent of this rule is to provide more clarity for users when making IAT determinations.
Funds Availability Requirements for Non-Same Day Credit Entries
This rule will eliminate the 5:00 pm local time receipt condition, so that funds availability would be required at 9:00 am (in the RDFI’s local time) on Settlement Date for all non-Same Day ACH credits.
RISK MANAGEMENT TOPICS – (Fraud Monitoring Phase 2)
These Rule amendments related to monitoring for fraud become effective on June 19, 2026 and are part of a larger Risk Management package intended to reduce the incidence of successful fraud attempts and improve the recovery of funds after frauds have occurred. NOTE: As June 19 is a federal holiday, the practical effective date for these two rules will be the next banking day – Monday, June 22, 2026. All affected parties are encouraged to become compliant with these rules as soon as possible, but no later than June 22, 2026.
RISK MANAGEMENT TOPICS – Company Entry Descriptions
These two Rule amendments on Company Entry Descriptions become effective on March 20, 2026 and are part of a larger Risk Management package intended to reduce the incidence of successful fraud attempts and improve the recovery of funds after frauds have occurred.
RISK MANAGEMENT TOPICS – (Fraud Monitoring Phase 1)
These Rule amendments related to monitoring for fraud become effective on March 20, 2026 and are part of a larger Risk Management package intended to reduce the incidence of successful fraud attempts and improve the recovery of funds after frauds have occurred.
Minor Topics Rule Changes
These changes will become effective January 1, 2026. These changes will have little to no impact on ACH participants and no significant processing or financial impact.
Risk Management Topic - April 1, 2025
This portion of a recent Rule amendment becomes effective on April 1, 2025 and requires an RDFI to advise the ODFI of the status of a Request for Return within ten (10) banking days of receipt of the ODFI’s request.
RISK MANAGEMENT TOPICS – October 1, 2024
These Rule amendments are part of a larger Risk Management package intended to reduce the incidence of successful fraud attempts and improve the recovery of funds after frauds have occurred.
MINOR RULES TOPICS
These changes will amend the Nacha Operating Rules to address a variety of minor issues and will become effective June 21, 2024.