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ACH payment processing for bank-to-bank payments.
ACH payment processing moves money straight from your customer’s bank account to yours through the ACH network. It suits larger invoices and repeat bills, and it runs next to your card processing, not instead of it.
ACH vs. cards, in short
| How money moves | Bank account to bank account |
| Good fit | Invoices, recurring bills |
| Customer permission | Required before debiting |
| Speed | Slower than card approvals |
| Returns | Possible, by ACH rules |
Where paper checks and patchwork ACH cost you
Many businesses still wait on mailed checks or run ACH through a separate bank portal nobody likes. Here is what that usually looks like, and how we set it up instead.
What you often find
- Waiting on mailed checks and trips to the bank
- Large invoices paid by card at full card cost
- ACH in one system and cards in another, reconciled by hand
- No written customer authorization on file
- Returned payments discovered days later, by accident
At PayZoom
- Electronic payments that land in your bank account
- ACH offered as an option on larger invoices
- ACH and card payments set up with the same team
- Authorization steps built into how you collect
- Clear reporting, so returns are easy to spot and follow up
How ACH payment processing works
ACH, short for Automated Clearing House, is the U.S. network banks use to move money between accounts. Three things make an ACH payment go through cleanly.
Customer authorization
Your customer agrees to the debit, online, on paper or by recorded phone approval, per ACH rules.
Bank details
Routing and account numbers, entered once and stored securely for repeat payments.
Settlement
The payment clears through the ACH network to your account, usually within a few business days.
The PayZoom Statement Review
- Send. Email us one recent processing statement.
- Read. We line-item every fee and separate what the card networks charge from what your processor keeps.
- Recommend. You get a plain-English answer. If you are already paying a fair price, we will tell you.
- Switch. If you move to PayZoom, we set up processing to fit your POS, gateway or cart.
PayZoom not only offers Parts Plus members Low Cost Credit Card processing rates, they also provide ACH Services, Check Protection Services and Gift/Loyalty Card programs.
Parts Plus
Since 2006, a person who knows your account.
| Founded | 2006, Daphne, Alabama |
| Clients in | Nearly every U.S. state |
| Support | Never outsourced |
| Registered partner of | Cygnus Payments and Evolv Payment Solutions |
Questions merchants ask us
Straight answers. If yours is not here, call us and a real person will answer it.
When should I use ACH instead of cards?
ACH tends to make the most sense for larger invoices, recurring bills and customers who prefer paying from a bank account. Cards are faster to approve and better at the counter. Most businesses offer both. Our ACH vs. credit card guide walks through the trade-offs in plain terms.
How long does an ACH payment take?
ACH is slower than a card approval. A card is approved in seconds, while an ACH payment clears through the banking system, often over a few business days. Timing depends on the setup and the banks involved. We explain your deposit timing up front so you can plan cash flow around it.
What happens if an ACH payment is returned?
A payment can come back if the account has insufficient funds, is closed or the details were wrong. Customers can also dispute unauthorized debits under ACH rules. Returns show up in your reporting, and you follow up with the customer. Getting clear authorization up front prevents many of the problems.
Can I set up recurring ACH payments?
Yes. With the customer’s authorization, you can debit their account on a schedule for memberships, service plans, tuition or rent. Bank details are stored securely so nobody has to re-enter them. We help you set up the authorization language and the schedule so it runs without monthly paperwork.
Guides on this topic
Send us one statement. We’ll tell you exactly what you’re paying.
No cost and no pressure. If your current rate is fair, we’ll say so. We typically reply the same business day.
| Call toll-free | 866.242.4325 |
| Local | 251.626.8100 |
| nate@bizpayzoom.com |