ACH and eCheck Solutions
ACH & Echeck,
Bank-to-Bank Payments.
Significantly Lower Fees.
ACH and eCheck payments move money directly between bank accounts, bypassing card networks entirely. For businesses with recurring billing, large B2B invoices, or high monthly volume, ACH can reduce processing costs by 60% or more compared to card transactions.
ETA Certified Payment Professional
Serving Businesses Since 2014
500+ Merchants Served
PCI DSS Compliant
What Is ACH and eCheck
A Lower-Cost Alternative to Card Processing
ACH (Automated Clearing House) is the electronic network that processes bank-to-bank transfers in the United States. An eCheck is a digital payment that uses the ACH network to move funds directly from a customer's bank account to yours, without involving a card network. Because there are no card network fees, the cost per transaction is dramatically lower than credit or debit card processing.
ACH is not the right fit for every transaction type. Monument evaluates your business, your customers, and your transaction mix before recommending ACH as part of your payment strategy.
Where ACH Adds Value
Common Use Cases for ACH and eCheck
ACH works best in specific contexts. Monument identifies which of your transaction types are good candidates for bank payment processing.
Recurring Billing and Subscriptions
ACH is the preferred method for recurring billing because fees are significantly lower than credit cards. Businesses with monthly memberships, service contracts, or subscription models can reduce processing costs substantially by routing recurring charges through ACH.
B2B and High-Ticket Transactions
Large B2B invoices carry high card processing fees. A $50,000 invoice processed at 2.5% costs $1,250 in fees. The same payment via ACH typically costs $1 to $10. For businesses invoicing other businesses, ACH can generate significant annual savings.
Electronic Invoicing and Bill Pay
ACH enables businesses to send electronic invoices with a bank payment link, allowing customers to pay directly from their bank account. This eliminates the need for paper checks while keeping processing costs low.
Online and Remote Payments
eCheck payments can be accepted through a hosted payment page or virtual terminal without requiring a physical card. This is useful for service businesses, contractors, and healthcare providers who invoice remotely.
Membership and Dues Collection
Associations, nonprofits, gyms, and professional organizations use ACH for annual and monthly dues collection. The low per-transaction cost makes ACH significantly more economical than card processing for predictable recurring charges.
Reducing Card Processing Costs
Businesses that cannot implement a fee recovery program but want to reduce processing costs can offer ACH as a payment option alongside cards. Routing even a portion of transactions through ACH can meaningfully lower the overall effective rate.
Who Benefits Most
Who Benefits Most from ACH
Businesses with predictable, recurring, or high-ticket transactions tend to see the greatest benefit from ACH. Monument evaluates your specific situation to determine whether ACH is a meaningful cost-reduction opportunity.
SUPPORTED PLATFORMS
Platforms Monument Deploys for ACH
Monument deploys ACH through gateway platforms that also support card processing, so you manage both payment types in one place.
iPOSpays supports ACH and eCheck payments through its cloud-based gateway. Businesses can accept bank payments alongside card transactions with full reporting and reconciliation in a single platform.
Best for: integrated POS environments, multi-channel payment acceptance
Accept Blue supports ACH and eCheck processing alongside card payments through a single gateway. Businesses can accept bank payments via hosted payment page, virtual terminal, or API integration. Recurring ACH billing is fully supported.
Best for: recurring billing, B2B invoicing, eCommerce, healthcare
THE PROCESS
How Monument Evaluates ACH for Your Business
01
Business Assessment
Monument reviews your transaction mix, average ticket size, and customer payment preferences to determine whether ACH is a viable and cost-effective option for your business.
02
Use Case Identification
We identify which transaction types are best suited for ACH, such as recurring billing, large invoices, and B2B payments, and which should remain on card processing.
03
Gateway and Platform Selection
Monument selects the gateway or platform that supports ACH alongside your existing card processing, minimizing the number of systems you need to manage.
04
Setup and Integration
We configure your ACH processing account, set up recurring billing schedules if applicable, and integrate with your invoicing or billing software.
05
Ongoing Support
Monument remains available to help with ACH returns, failed payments, and any questions about your bank payment processing as your business evolves.
SIDE BY SIDE
ACH vs. Card Processing
ACH is not a replacement for card processing. It is a complement that reduces costs for specific transaction types.
| Factor | ACH / eCheck | Card Processing |
|---|---|---|
| Settlement time | 1 to 3 business days | 1 to 2 business days |
| Chargeback risk | Lower. Returns are less common than card disputes. | Higher. Chargebacks are more frequent. |
| Best for | Recurring billing, B2B invoices, high-ticket transactions | In-person retail, hospitality, consumer purchases |
| International | US bank accounts only (standard ACH) | Accepted globally |
| Fraud protection | Account verification available; returns possible | EMV, 3D Secure, and fraud tools available |
The Monument Difference
What Sets Monument Apart
Integrated Approach
Monument does not treat ACH as a standalone product. We evaluate whether ACH fits alongside your existing card processing and configure a solution that handles both without adding operational complexity.
Cost Analysis First
Before recommending ACH, Monument calculates the actual savings based on your transaction mix. ACH is not always the right answer, and we will tell you honestly if the benefit does not justify the change.
Recurring Billing Expertise
For businesses with recurring billing, Monument configures automated ACH schedules, handles failed payment workflows, and ensures your billing process runs without manual intervention.
B2B Optimization
For B2B businesses with large invoices, Monument identifies which transactions are best suited for ACH and configures your invoicing workflow to offer bank payment as a default option.
Could ACH Reduce Your Processing Costs?
Monument evaluates your transaction mix and identifies where ACH can meaningfully reduce your costs. No pressure. No assumptions.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about how Monument works, what solutions fit your business, and what to expect from the process.
Still have questions?
Monument is happy to walk through your specific situation on a call.
What is the difference between ACH and eCheck?
ACH (Automated Clearing House) is the electronic network that moves funds between bank accounts in the United States. An eCheck is a digital version of a paper check that uses the ACH network to process the payment. In practice, the terms are often used interchangeably. Both result in a bank-to-bank transfer that settles within one to three business days.
How much can a business save by accepting ACH payments?
The savings depend on your average ticket size and transaction volume. ACH fees typically range from $0.25 to $1.50 per transaction or 0.5% to 1.5% of the transaction amount, compared to 2.5% to 3.5% for card processing. A business processing $100,000 per month in large B2B invoices could save $2,000 or more per month by routing those transactions through ACH. Monument calculates the projected savings for your specific situation before making any recommendation.
Can I accept ACH payments alongside card payments?
Yes. Most of the gateway and platform solutions Monument deploys support both card and ACH payments through a single account. Customers can choose their preferred payment method, and all transactions are reported in one place.
How long does it take for ACH payments to settle?
Standard ACH transactions settle in one to three business days. Same-day ACH is available through some processors for an additional fee. Card payments typically settle in one to two business days, so the difference in settlement time is minimal for most businesses.
What happens if an ACH payment is returned?
ACH returns occur when a payment cannot be processed, typically due to insufficient funds, a closed account, or incorrect account information. Monument configures your ACH setup to include account verification where available, which reduces the likelihood of returns. When returns do occur, Monument helps you understand the return code and determine the appropriate next step.
Is ACH appropriate for consumer transactions?
ACH works well for consumer transactions where the customer has a predictable payment relationship with the business, such as recurring memberships, subscription services, or installment plans. For one-time consumer purchases, card payments are typically more convenient. Monument evaluates your customer base and transaction types to determine where ACH adds value.
Does Monument handle ACH for healthcare businesses?
Yes. Healthcare providers, medical offices, and wellness businesses frequently use ACH for patient payment plans and recurring billing. Monument configures ACH alongside card processing and can integrate with practice management software where supported.
