Minor Topics Rule Change - Funds Availability Exceptions for non-Same Day Credit Entries
This rule will create an exception to the 9:00 a.m. funds availability requirement for certain non-Same Day Entries to accommodate time zone differences for financial institutions located east of the Atlantic Time Zone and west of the International Date Line.
Details
On September 18, 2026, RDFIs will be required to make funds available by 9:00 a.m. on settlement date (in the RDFI’s local time) for ALL non-Same Day Entries.
- Eliminates the 5:00 p.m. on the banking day prior to settlement cutoff for making non-Same Day funds available by 9:00 a.m. on settlement date
- Establishes a uniform funds availability standard for all non-Same Day Entries, without regard to the time of file delivery to the RDFI
- Aligns rules with most RDFIs’ existing business practice to provide 9:00 availability for all non-Same Day entries, regardless of when received
For some RDFIs located east of the Atlantic Time Zone and west of the International Date Line (Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, etc.), next-day credits in certain file delivery windows are made available to those RDFIs on the settlement date after the 9:00 a.m. funds availability deadline. This rule will create an exception to the 9:00 a.m. funds availability requirement for certain non-Same Day Entries to these RDFIs.
Technical
Article Three, Subsection 3.3.1.1 Availability of Credits That Are Not Same Day Entries will include the following language:
For a credit Entry that is not a Same Day Entry, the RDFI must make the amount of the credit Entry available to the Receiver for withdrawal no later than 9 a.m. (RDFI’s local time) on the Settlement Date, except as otherwise required by this Subsection.
For an RDFI located east of the Atlantic Time Zone and west of the International Date Line where a non-Same Day Entry is made available to the RDFI by its ACH Operator after 8:00 a.m. (in the RDFI’s local time) on the Settlement Date of the Entry, the RDFI must make the amount of the credit Entry available to the Receiver for withdrawal no later than the end of the Settlement Date, unless the credit Entry is made available to the RDFI by its ACH Operator after the RDFI has completed its processing for that Settlement Date. For a non-Same Day credit Entry made available to the RDFI by its ACH Operator after the RDFI has completed its processing on the Settlement Date, the RDFI must make funds available to the Receiver for withdrawal no later than 9:00 a.m. (RDFI’s local time) on the Banking Day following the Settlement Date of the Entry.
Impact
Anticipated Impact:
- None/negligible.
- Recognizes existing practice for FIs located east of the Atlantic Time Zone and west of the International Date Line (Guam, Northern Mariana Islands.)
Anticipated Benefits:
- Provides all participants with rules clarity on funds availability in these time zones.
- Gives compliance relief to RDFIs that cannot comply with funds availability timing by virtue of their global location.
This rule will become effective on September 18, 2026, which is the same effective date as the underlying rule change.
