COVID Operations Bulletins

This page contains bulletins related only to COVID-19. The full list of bulletins in our Members Only resources. 

NEW as of May 1: In an effort to provide some relief and assistance to financial institutions, the Fed is offering a COVID-19 Federal Reserve Financial Services Customer Assistance Package, which is available May 1 through at least July 31.  The package is designed to waive several fees related to FedACH® and Check Services reports, RDFI alerts, Exception Resolution Service, as well as paper and manual exception processing.

ACH Processing Schedules and Business Continuity Planning

Please note that all published Federal Reserve processing deadlines and funds availability schedules for ACH processing remain in effect. Your institution should be reviewing your business continuity plan now to ensure that you are prepared to maintain ACH payment processing capabilities in the event of possible disruption. In addition to their own business continuity plans, financial institutions should understand the expectations of their regulators and ACH Operators with regard to ACH processing in potential scenarios of workforce disruption. The Nacha Operating Rules permit a financial institution to delay performance of its obligations under the Rules beyond required time limits if:

1. The delay was caused by the interruption of communication or computer facilities; and,
2. The delay was beyond the reasonable control of the financial institution seeking the excused delay.

Whether a delay is beyond the reasonable control of the party asserting an excused delay must be determined based on the available facts and circumstances surrounding the delay, including whether the financial institution exercised the level of diligence required under such circumstances. A delay caused, in whole or in part, by the failure of a financial institution to maintain or implement an appropriate business continuity plan is not excused under the Rules for that financial institution. Please call us at 1-800-475-0585, Option 1 if you have questions about your institution’s business continuity plan for ACH processing.
April 2, 2020

ACH Operations Bulletin #6-2020: Nacha Provides Relief on Return Rate Levels

Businesses that originate pre-authorized ACH debits for services that have been interrupted may face an elevated risk of returns. This could be due to consumers who: 1) lack funds (i.e., NSF); 2) place stop payment orders with their own banks or credit unions; or 3) make claims that debits are unauthorized because they can no longer access the service or have otherwise cancelled service.
March 27, 2020

ACH Operations Bulletin #5-2020: Nacha Provides Relief to RDFIs on Signature Requirements for WSUDs

The Nacha Rules require an RDFI to accept a consumer’s Written Statement of Unauthorized Debit (WSUD), and also require that the WSUD be signed or similarly authenticated.
March 26, 2020

ACH Operations Bulletin #4-2020: Nacha Extends Effective Dates of Data Security Rule; Affirms Effective Dates of Other Rules

The upcoming effective dates of the Rule on Supplementing Data Security Requirements are extended by one year, to June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2022, respectively. The effective dates of other approved and upcoming Rules remain in effect.
March 20, 2020

ACH Operations Bulletin #3-2020: Nacha Provides Relief from Deadlines Related to Certain Required Records

In light of the current need for organizations to reduce on-site staffing levels, Nacha is providing temporary relief from deadlines for delivery of certain records that are required under the Nacha Rules.
March 9, 2020

ACH Operations Bulletin #2-2020: Nacha Issues Reminder on ACH Responsibilities to Financial institutions Potentially Impacted by Coronavirus

Nacha reminds financial institutions of the importance of reviewing their business continuity plans to ensure that they are prepared to maintain ACH payment processing capabilities in the event of possible disruptions.