ACH payment processing for invoices, recurring billing and B2B payments
Collect bank-to-bank payments alongside cards: one-time invoice payments, recurring debits and large B2B transfers, with a dedicated rep who knows your account.
Short answer
ACH payment processing lets customers pay you straight from a US bank account over the Automated Clearing House network, which runs under Nacha's rules. It suits invoices, recurring billing and B2B payments. Clearo offers it alongside card processing, priced by quote. Clearo says ACH payments usually fund the next business day.
What is ACH payment processing?
ACH payment processing is accepting payments that move directly between U.S. bank accounts over the Automated Clearing House network, under operating rules set by Nacha. A customer can push money to you as an ACH credit, or you can pull it from their account as an ACH debit once they have authorized it.
It is a big network: Nacha counted 35.2 billion ACH payments worth $93 trillion in 2025 (Nacha). Our ACH payments guide walks through how a payment moves, step by step.
Where ACH fits
Invoices
Let customers pay a bill straight from their bank account, which suits large invoices where a percentage-based card fee would take a big bite.
Recurring payments
Debit a customer's account on a schedule they have authorized, for memberships, service plans and contract billing.
B2B payments
Business customers often prefer to pay suppliers by bank transfer. ACH gives their accounts payable team a familiar way to do it.
Alongside cards
Offer ACH next to card payments, so each customer can pay the way they prefer and you work with one provider and one rep.
Timing, returns and authorizations
Speed is rarely the issue. Per Nacha, ACH debits settle the same day or the next banking day, and about 80% of all ACH payments settle in one banking day or less (Nacha). Same Day ACH handles payments up to $1 million, with three settlement windows each banking day (Nacha). On your side, Clearo says ACH payments usually fund the next business day, and pricing depends on your quote.
Returns are the part to plan for. A settled debit can still come back: Nacha's standard window is two banking days, and a consumer can return a debit they say they never authorized for up to 60 days (Nacha). Our list of ACH return codes explains what each reason means and what to do next.
Authorizations are your protection. For recurring debits from a consumer's account, Regulation E requires an authorization the consumer signs or similarly authenticates, and electronic signatures count (CFPB).
ACH or cards?
Most businesses that add ACH keep cards too. Cards are approved in seconds and suit counter sales and smaller amounts; ACH suits large invoices and scheduled payments. Our comparisons of ACH vs credit card and ACH vs wire transfers lay out the trade-offs, and our guides to eChecks and B2B payments cover the rest of the picture.
ACH payment processing FAQ
Most settle within a banking day. Nacha says ACH debits settle the same day or the next banking day, and Same Day ACH, for payments up to $1 million, runs three settlement windows each banking day. When the money reaches your account depends on your provider's funding schedule; Clearo says ACH payments usually fund the next business day.
The customer's bank sends the payment back with a reason code, such as insufficient funds or a closed account, and for a debit the amount comes back out of your account. Nacha's standard return window is two banking days, but a consumer can return a debit they say they never authorized for up to 60 days.
Yes. For recurring debits from a consumer's account, Regulation E requires an authorization the consumer signs or similarly authenticates, and electronic signatures count. Keep a copy of every authorization, because it is your proof if a debit is ever disputed.
Yes. Clearo offers ACH payment processing alongside card acceptance, with one dedicated rep for both. ACH pricing depends on your business, so ask us for a quote, and send a recent card statement for a free review while you are at it.
Sources
The Nacha and CFPB pages behind the ACH facts on this page, checked in October 2026. Nacha's rules change, so confirm current limits and return windows with the linked pages.
- Same Day ACH and Business-to-Business Payments Propel ACH Network Volume Growth in 2025 (Nacha) (nacha.org)
- How ACH Payments Work (Nacha) (nacha.org)
- The Significant Majority of ACH Payments Settle in One Business Day or Less (Nacha) (nacha.org)
- ACH Network Risk and Enforcement Topics (Nacha) (nacha.org)
- § 1005.10 Preauthorized transfers (CFPB, Regulation E) (consumerfinance.gov)
Disclaimer: general information, not professional advice
This page is general educational information, not legal, tax, accounting or financial advice. Rules and rates vary by place and change, so confirm them with the official source and a qualified professional before you act. Full terms are in our Terms of Service.
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ACH payments: how they work, timing and returns
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