Electronic funds transfer (EFT) is the modern alternative to the old check-clearing process when sending and receiving funds between a payer and a payee. An EFT is done through the system of automatic clearing house (ACH). In the U.S., the Federal Reserve and the private Electronic Payments Network (EPN) are the two ACH operators, with each handling 60% and 40% of the total transactions respectively. The two terms, EFT and ACH are sometimes interchangeable both referring to the process in which funds are electronically moved via the automatic clearing house system.

Parties Involved in EFT Processing

A payer, a payee, the payer’s financial institution, the payee’s financial institution, and the ACH operator are the parties involved in order to initiate and complete an electronic funds transfer. Funds can be sent by the payer instructing his or her financial institution, or alternatively requested by the payee instructing his or her financial institution. The depository financial institution initiating a transaction instruction on behalf of a customer either to send funds or request funds (receiving funds), is called originating depository financial institution (ODFI) and the depository financial institution at the other end receiving instruction is called receiving depository financial institution (RDFI).

Credit Transaction and Debit Transaction

For a transaction instruction to go through, the instruction initiator, be it the payer or the payee as facilitated by the bank, must have first obtained the authorization from the instruction receiver, the corresponding payee or payer, to be allowed the access to the receiver’s account. Having been given the account number and the bank routing number for the receiving end, the transaction initiator sending or requesting funds can then effectively deposit funds into or take funds out of the transaction-instruction receiver’s account.

Therefore, depending on the direction of the instruction flow, when the instruction is to send funds to the instruction receiver by the payer, it is a credit transaction with funds deposited into the instruction receiver’s account, the payee‘s; when the instruction is to request funds from the instruction receiver by the payee, it is a debit transaction with funds taken out of the instruction receiver’s account, the payer’s.

Example of Credit Clearing and Settlement

Setting up a bill pay with your bank. Step1, obtain account information from your payee: a lender, the cable company, the utilities, or etc. Step 2, make and confirm a bill payment on your bank’s website. Step 3, your bank as the ODFI sends your payment instruction to the ACH operator. Step 4, the ACH operator routes the transaction to the payee’s financial institution, the RDFI. Step 5, the payee’s bank makes funds available to the payee by crediting his or her account. Step 6, the ACH operator settles the transaction between the participating financial institutions.

Example of Debit Clearing and Settlement

Making an online credit card payment on your credit card company’s website. Step 1, submit your account information to your payee. Step 2, your credit card company requests your payment through their bank. Step 3, the credit card company’s bank verifies the payment request and as the ODFI, sends the instruction to the ACH operator. Step 4, the ACH operator routes the transaction to the payer’s financial institution (your bank), the RDFI. Step 5, your bank takes funds out of your account per request. Step 6, the ACH operator settles the transaction between the participating financial institutions.

There are many benefits to both the customer and business owner when using an electronic fund transfer, or EFT.  One of the main reasons to use an EFT is time savings, which are two-fold.  The first being that the funds are deducted much more quickly than when using a traditional check as they do not need to go through the mail.  This means that money is deposited into your bank account that much faster.  The second way that an EFT saves time is by cutting down on the amount of time spent on bookkeeping and keeping up on past-due invoices.

The time and energy savings associated with an electronic fund transfer are also passed onto the customer as they have a decreased lag time between writing their check and the withdrawal being deducted from their account.  This keeps their checking accounts up to date and organized.  It is also much simpler for a customer to click a button or two online rather than getting out the checkbook, finding an envelope and stamp, and heading out to the post office.  Cutting down on the customer’s effort even more, automatic reminder e-mails and payments can be set-up.  This makes customers more likely to pay on time, allowing the payment to get to you faster and reducing the amount of time you spend chasing down past-due checks.

EFTs can streamline payment by enabling automatic payments which can be applied to either fixed or variable amounts.  By setting up an automatic payment, a client is no longer required to remember when they have to pay a bill and risk it being late.  Funds set up to be deducted from the customer’s account on a specified date gets payment to you quickly, eliminates virtually any chance for delayed payment.  You then no longer have to waste your time with past-due invoices and phone calls and your clients do not have to worry about incurring any late-charges.  By having the ability to offer your clients the option of an electronic fund transfer, you are simplifying the lives of both you and your customer and getting paid in the process.