# ACH processing speed

> Moov ACH cutoff times, when funds become available under standard or faster same-day processing, and the qualifications for faster ACH processing.

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ACH payments go out in batches, so when a transfer completes depends on the cutoff it makes and whether the account uses standard or faster ACH processing.

ACH works on a *no news is good news* basis: a payment succeeded unless a return arrives later. Banking days are Monday through Friday, excluding Federal Reserve [bank holidays](/guides/money-movement/overview/index.md#bank-holidays). A transfer created after a cutoff goes in the next window, or on the next banking day after the last one. In [test mode](/guides/get-started/api-authentication/test-mode/index.md), ACH transfers complete much faster than these production timings.

## Cutoff times

Moov submits ACH files in every same-day window.

| Window              | Cutoff      | Credit posts to the receiving bank |
|---------------------|-------------|------------------------------------|
| Same-day window 1   | 10:00 AM ET | Early afternoon                    |
| Same-day window 2   | 2:15 PM ET  | End of day                         |
| Same-day window 3   | 4:15 PM ET  | End of day                         |
| Standard (next day) | 5:30 PM ET  | Next banking day                   |

## When funds are available

| Transfer                                 | Standard processing                                                  | Faster processing                         |
|------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|
| Bank → wallet (ACH debit)                | Morning of the second banking day (Monday → Wednesday)               | Same day if created by 4:15 PM ET         |
| Bank → bank with `ach-credit-same-day`   | After the two-day debit hold, then the credit goes out same day      | Same day if created by 2:15 PM ET         |
| Bank → bank with `ach-credit-standard`   | After the two-day debit hold, then the credit posts next banking day | Next banking day if created by 2:15 PM ET |
| Wallet → bank with `ach-credit-same-day` | Same day if created by the 4:15 PM ET cutoff                         | Same as standard                          |
| Wallet → bank with `ach-credit-standard` | Next banking day if created by 5:30 PM ET                            | Same as standard                          |

**Standard processing** holds funds from an ACH debit for two banking days before releasing them, to cover the window when returns usually arrive. **Faster processing** removes that hold (`no-hold`), so the credit leg starts within hours. Accounts must be [approved for faster processing](#faster-ach-qualifications).

## Standard same-day processing

To expedite standard processing, **Moov processes all ACH debits with same-day processing when available.** You can request ACH credits to be processed same-day by using an `ach-credit-same-day` payment method as the transfer destination.

Even when the debit is processed same day, funds are released after the hold period.

The diagrams below show standard processing timelines based on the 4:15 PM ET [cutoff](#cutoff-times).

**Bank-to-wallet**

![Standard bank-to-wallet processing diagram](./images/bank-to-wallet-light.png)

**Bank-to-bank (same-day ACH)**

![Bank-to-bank same-day processing diagram](./images/bank-to-bank-same-day-light.png)

**Bank-to-bank (standard ACH)**

![Bank-to-bank standard processing diagram](./images/bank-to-bank-standard-light.png)

## Faster same-day processing

> **Note:** Accounts must go through a risk assessment approval process by Moov to use faster ACH same-day processing. To start the approval process for faster ACH processing, [ask our team](https://moov.io/contact/) for more information.

When an account is approved for faster processing, Moov sets the debit hold period to `no-hold` by default, and the debit completes within a few hours of originating. If a bank-to-bank transfer using `ach-credit-same-day` misses the 2:15 PM ET cutoff, the debit completes on this schedule:

| Created by  | Debit completes   |
|-------------|-------------------|
| 10:00 AM ET | ~ 1:00 PM ET      |
| 2:15 PM ET  | ~ 4:00 PM ET      |
| 4:15 PM ET  | ~ 6:00 PM ET      |
| 5:30 PM ET  | ~ 7:00 AM ET (+1) |

Faster processing is for those who are comfortable with debits clearing quickly from an account. In cases of returns (for example, insufficient funds or accounts closed), funds will be debited from the wallet according to Moov's [ACH returns and exception handling](/guides/money-movement/ach/returns/index.md) process.

> **Tip:** If your account is set to `no-hold` by default, you can overwrite this in the `achDetails` of the create a transfer `POST` [request](/api/money-movement/transfers/create/index.md) by passing in `2-days` to `debitHoldPeriod`.

**Bank-to-wallet**

Bank-to-wallet transfers will process same-day as long as they originate before 4:15 PM ET. See [cutoff times](#cutoff-times).

![Faster bank-to-wallet processing diagram](./images/faster-ach-bank-to-wallet-light.png)

**Bank-to-bank (faster same-day ACH)**

Faster same-day ACH bank-to-bank transfers will process same-day as long as they originate before 2:15 PM ET. See [cutoff times](#cutoff-times).

![Faster bank-to-bank same-day processing diagram](./images/faster-ach-same-day-light.png)

**Bank-to-bank (faster standard ACH)**

Faster standard ACH bank-to-bank transfers will complete the next day as long as they originate before 2:15 PM ET.

![Faster bank-to-bank standard processing diagram](./images/faster-ach-standard-light.png)

### Faster ACH qualifications

To be eligible for faster, same-day ACH processing, customers must meet specific criteria that demonstrate financial stability and operational maturity.

#### Business requirements

- **Account history:** Have an active Moov account in good standing for a minimum of 90 days with a proven track record of successful ACH transactions.
- **Transaction volume:** Demonstrate established payment operations by maintaining consistent ACH processing volume of at least $50,000 per month over the past 6 months.
- **Return rate management:** Maintain ACH return rates below the 0.5% unauthorized benchmark and below the 3% administrative benchmark over the evaluation period.

#### Financial stability indicators

- **Reserve requirements:** Establish and maintain a reserve fund calculated as the higher of:
  
  - 1.5x your peak daily processing volume, OR
  - A percentage of your highest monthly volume from the last 6 months based on industry risk classification:
    
    - Low Risk Industry: 15% of monthly volume
    - Medium Risk Industry: 25% of monthly volume
    - High Risk Industry: 50% of monthly volume
- **Credit assessment:** Complete Moov's enhanced underwriting process, which may include providing recent financial statements.
- **Risk profile:** Industry classification will be determined during underwriting based on your business model, transaction patterns, and regulatory environment.

#### Operational standards

- **Compliance track records:** Show consistent adherence to ACH rules, NACHA guidelines, and Moov's terms of service without recent violations.
- **Integration maturity:** Implement proper webhook handling, return processing, and exception management in your payment flows.
- **Business verification:** Complete enhanced business verification, including beneficial ownership disclosure and updated business documentation.

#### Application process

- **Assessment:** Contact your Moov account manager or reach out to our team to begin the evaluation process.
- **Documentation:** Provide requested financial and operational documentation.
- **Review period:** Allow up to five business days for underwriting review.
- **Approval:** Upon approval, faster processing will be enabled with no-hold as the default setting.
- **Monitoring:** Accounts are subject to ongoing monitoring to maintain qualification.

#### Important considerations

- **Source of funding:** Bank-funded transactions provide the strongest qualification profile for faster processing. Direct bank account funding demonstrates financial stability and reduces risk compared to alternative funding sources.
- **Risk acknowledgement:** Faster processing means returns and exceptions require immediate attention. Ensure your team can handle rapid dispute resolution and account management.
- **Volume scaling:** Qualification thresholds may adjust based on your processing volume and business growth.
- **Periodic review:** Moov may periodically review accounts to ensure continued qualification for faster processing privileges. Moov reserves the right to turn off faster processing at any time, at Moov's discretion.