Electronic payments are part of everyday business operations, from payroll and vendor payments to electronic transfers between accounts. As these payments increase, fraud attempts have also become more sophisticated.
To address this, Nacha, the organization that governs the ACH Network, is introducing new rules in 2026. These updates are designed to reduce fraud and improve how suspicious payments are identified and addressed.
If your business uses electronic payments, understanding these changes can help you stay informed and better protect your business.
Why Are the Nacha Rules Changing?
Fraud tactics have changed. Today’s scams often involve authorized payments that are initiated under false pretenses, such as a fraudulent email requesting updated banking information.
The 2026 Nacha Rule changes are designed to:
- Reduce fraudulent electronic payments
- Improve detection of suspicious activity
- Support faster recovery when fraud occurs
Important 2026 Nacha Dates to Know
Changes Effective March 20, 2026
Starting March 20, 2026, the first phase of Nacha’s updates went into effect. These changes apply to all Originating Depository Financial Institutions (ODFIs) and certain non‑consumer ACH participants based on prior transaction volumes.
Under this phase, impacted ACH participants are expected to maintain risk‑based processes to help identify unauthorized ACH transactions and payments initiated through fraud or false pretenses, such as business email compromise or social engineering scams.
In addition, Nacha now requires more consistent use of Company Entry Descriptions for certain payments:
- PAYROLL for payroll‑related ACH credit transactions
- PURCHASE for certain consumer e‑commerce debit transactions
These updates are intended to promote clearer identification and handling of ACH payments across the network.
Additional Updates Taking Effect September 18, 2026
Additional Nacha updates take effect on September 18, 2026, including:
- Clarification around how International ACH Transactions (IATs) are classified
- A requirement that non‑same‑day ACH credit funds generally be made available by 9:00 a.m. local time on the settlement date
These changes focus on improving consistency and predictability for ACH users.
What This Means for Your Business
If your business sends or receives electronic payments, these changes serve as an important reminder to review how payment requests are handled.
Helpful best practices include:
- Being cautious with emailed payment change requests
- Verifying changes using a trusted contact method
- Slowing down and asking questions when something doesn’t look right