Real-Time Payments

A Real-Time Payment, or RTP®, is a transaction that moves through the RTP Network and settlement system offered by The Clearing House. This isn't an ACH or wire transaction.

The RTP Network provides the ability to conveniently receive payments and access funds immediately. All payments received can only be initiated from a federally insured US depository institution on the RTP Network.

RTP also includes the Payment-Related Messages, or Non-Payment Messages feature, which allows an individual or financial institution—both payee and payer—to request and send information regarding a payment.

RTP, ACH and domestic wire payments are all methods of moving money between accounts, but they differ in terms of speed, cost and use cases. ACH is characterized by its cost-effectiveness but slower processing times. RTP excels in speed and accessibility for real-time transactions on a 24/7/365 basis. And domestic wire transfers fall in between, offering faster processing than ACH but with higher fees.

The choice depends on factors such as transaction urgency, dollar value of the transaction, cost considerations and the specific use case.

Speak to your banker, or contact the Business Engagement Center at 866-322-4249 Monday through Friday, 8 am ET to 9 pm ET.

RTP is available 24/7/365, which allows you to receive payments any time. All received payments post within seconds of when the payment was sent.

No. RTPs are domestic only.

To receive an RTP, provide the sender with your routing number, 053100300 and your account number.

More businesses are starting to offer RTPs instead of checks, ACH or wires. Some of these businesses require you to select the option to receive an RTP instead of an ACH or wire. For example, if you're using a digital wallet like Venmo, you may need to select the RTP option to send your funds real-time to your bank account.

An RTP will have a description of RTP Credit. Once the RTP posts to your account, you'll see RTP Credit, 20 characters of the sender's name and the 35-digit instruction ID for your payment. This same information will be included on your bank statement.

If you need additional information from an RTP, you may sign up to receive a remittance notice that includes any additional information provided by the sender. Additional fees may apply.

Remittance notices are sent through email. You can select up to five email addresses to receive remittance notices. Commercial Advantage standard customers will also have access to remittance information.

Verify with the sender that they:

• Received a message that the payment was sent successfully
• Used routing number 053100300
• Received the payment back

If you've opted out of receiving RTPs, you'll need to opt back in or have the sender pay you through a different payment rail.

Have the sender provide the instruction ID sent with the payment and contact your local banker for additional assistance.

Contact your banker to submit a request to opt out of receiving RTP.

No. The RTP Network is a credit and payment system that does not allow debits.

No. The RTP Network is a credit-push, one direction payment system that doesn't allow debits.

RTPs are irrevocable. The RTP Network is a credit and payment system that does not allow debits. To return an RTP, you'll need to initiate a payment, outside of the RTP Network, to the sender.

Currently First Citizens does not offer Real-Time Payment Send capability, but it's coming in 2025 to business customers. Consumer and Digital Banking business customers can use Zelle® to send a payment in a real time capacity.

RTPs are irrevocable. If you suspect the RTP is erroneous or fraudulent, please contact your banker or contact the Customer Engagement Center at 888-323-4732 Monday through Friday, 8 am ET to 9 pm ET or Saturday and Sunday, 8 am ET to 8 pm ET.

You can get detailed remittance information on received RTP transactions through email or Commercial Advantage.

RTPs are limited to active checking and savings accounts.

Recipients receive payment within seconds of the sending bank initiating the transaction.

Contact your banker for more information on how to receive an RTP remittance notice.

Consumers don't receive fees. Business and commercial clients receive a fee at the time payment is received or at the time the remittance notice is accepted for each email address. Analysis accounts will receive the fee at the end of the month. Contact your banker for further information.

Contact your banker to submit a request to opt in to receiving RTP.

Commercial Advantage standard customers have access to the Real-Time Payments notifications widget for viewing RTP remittance information and the RTP messaging functionality. For more details on these functionalities, please see the Real-Time Payments Guide (PDF) or contact your Relationship Manager.

Only Commercial Advantage customers can acknowledge a payment. Please see the Real-Time Payments Guide (PDF) for instructions.