ACH updates for 2026: new rules and best practices.
We appreciate the opportunity to support your business through our Treasury Service products and services. This letter informs you of forthcoming ACH rule changes and other important ACH-related topics. Please share this information with colleagues within your organization who originate ACH transactions.
If you have any questions or would like additional training related to ACH processing for your employees, please call us at 833-774-6897.
New Nacha rules and tips
The Nacha Operating Rules and Guidelines are annual publication produced by the National Automated Clearing House Association. This book serves as the definitive source of information governing the exchange and settlement of electronic fund transfers through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) Network.
Compliance with the Nacha rules is part of your ACH Origination Service Agreement with American National Bank. The 2026 Nacha Operating Rules and Guidelines are available to you for $70.00 plus shipping and handling.
Stay up to date on the latest ACH rule changes from NACHA by visiting the new rules website at www.nacha.org/newrules. Please call us at 833-774-6897 if you would like to place an order or have any questions regarding upcoming ACH rule updates.
Standard company entry descriptions for payroll
Effective Date: March 20, 2026
This rule establishes a new standard description for PPD (Consumer) Credits for payments of wages, salaries and similar types of compensation. The Company Entry Description must contain the description PAYROLL.
ACH fraud monitoring
Effective Date: June 19, 2026
This rule will require all ACH Originators to establish and implement risk-based processes and procedures reasonably intended to identify ACH Entries initiated due to fraud.
– This rule is intended to reduce the incidence of fraud attempts.
– Regular fraud detection monitoring can establish baselines of typical activity, making atypical activity easier to identify.
The Nacha board and American National Bank urges that all ACH participants implement adequate control systems to detect and prevent fraud.
– This updated rule also requires a review of processes and procedures at least annually.
ACH notice of change (NOC)
The purpose of an NOC is to notify the originator that something about the recipient’s bank account has changed or was entered incorrectly. If the receiving bank sends an NOC, they have accepted your payment as is but you are required to make the necessary changes within 6 banking days of the receipt of the NOC or prior to the initiation of another ACH entry to that recipient.
Important NOC Change Codes and Transaction Codes:
Notification of Change Codes
| CO1 | Incorrect account number |
| CO2 | Incorrect transit/routing number |
| CO3 | Incorrect transit/routing number and account number |
| CO4 | Account name change |
| CO5 | Incorrect transaction code (savings to checking or vice versa) |
| CO6 | Incorrect account number and transaction code |
| CO7 | Incorrect transit/routing number, account number and transaction code |
Transaction Codes
| 22 | Checking deposit (credit) |
| 27 | Checking withdrawal (debit) |
| 32 | Savings deposit (credit) |
| 37 | Savings withdrawal (debit) |
| 42 | General ledger deposit (credit) |
| 47 | General ledger withdrawal (debit) |
Frequently asked questions
How do I receive the NOC?
All NOCs are mailed out to the address on file and are accessible via ANB Go Business through the notices option. If you do not have access to view your NOCs online, your online administrator may give you access. If you are the company administrator and have questions, please call Treasury Services at 833-774-6897.
What do I need to do if I receive an NOC?
You must update your recipient’s information prior to processing a subsequent entry to your recipient.
What is the difference between an NOC and a return?
If you receive an NOC that means your ACH entry was accepted by the receiving bank, but you are required to make an update to your recipient account. If your ACH entry was returned, your ACH entry was rejected by the recipient bank.
ACH tips for ANB Go Business
Regular reviews of your current users are recommended. Your online administrator has the ability to add/update/remove users. If your administrator(s) needs assistance with modifications or your company needs to update or add an administrator, please reach out to your account representative or Treasury Support.
It is encouraged to maintain a secure repository outside of ANB Go Business to store your ACH recipient’s information and processing history. Please refer to the ANB GO Business guides for instructions on how to export.
ACH Prenotes
An ACH prenote is a zero-dollar test entry sent through the ACH network to verify and validate a recipient’s bank account information, including routing and account number. ACH prenotes do not validate who owns the account.
To send a prenote within ANB Go Business, you will simply input the amount of $0.00. If you don’t want to pay or debit a recipient within a template, you will want to select the DO NOT PAY or DO NOT COLLECT option next to the recipient. $0.00 entries are live entries that are sent to the recipient as a pre-note and are subject to fees.
ANB Go Business Transaction Statuses
Drafted: The transaction has been created in the system. Drafted transactions require approval before being processed. Drafted transactions can be canceled.
Authorized: The transaction is ready for processing and requires no further actions before being processed. Authorized transactions can be canceled.
Processed: The transaction has been successfully submitted to an external system and processed. These transactions cannot be canceled.
Canceled: The transaction is no longer being processed. Once canceled, the transaction status cannot be reversed. Canceled transactions are not eligible for processing.
ACH Cutoff Times
Same Day ACH: 2:30 p.m. CT
Next Day ACH: 6:30 p.m. CT
ACH Security Framework
In accordance with NACHA Operating Rules ACH Security Framework, all participants are required in the ACH Network to establish, implement and update policies, procedures and systems with respect to the initiation, processing and storage of ACH information. The ACH Security Framework Checklist can be accessed through the link below for you to review and complete to aid and enhance your security policies and procedures.
Please take the time to answer the questions to determine if your security practices meet the obligations of the ACH Security Framework Guidance. This checklist is for informational purposes only and you are not required to return your answers to the American National Bank. To help identify possible updates and enhancements to your policies and procedures, we strongly encourage you to fill out and implement the checklist in your security review.
You may register to access the ACH Rules at www.achrulesonline.org.
Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC)
As a reminder, ACH originators are required to comply with all state and federal laws, rules, and regulations, including the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) requirements. To find out more about OFAC and the types of transactions subject to the law visit their website.
You may also call the OFAC Compliance Hotline at 1-800-540-OFAC.