Moving Your Money

Automated Clearing House (ACH) Origination

Summary of service

Automated Clearing House Origination services allow business customers to pay employees and vendors (Credit Origination) or to collect utility payments, HOA fees and dues (Debit Origination). ACH transactions are electronic debits or credits and may be initiated and processed via Commercial Advantage. Submission of ACH files can be transmitted via Direct Send.

Essentials to know

  • We automatically updated your account and routing numbers if needed. However, your Company IDs and your daily processing limits will be unchanged.
  • Your templates transferred to First Citizens. However, some may require your attention. Please visit the Commercial Advantage Learning Center for details.
  • Future-dated transactions—one-time or recurring—scheduled for July 18 or after on your previous system will need to be reestablished in Commercial Advantage for processing or settlement on or after July 18.
  • Direct Send customers will continue using their current data transmission service to submit files until contacted by First Citizens to discuss updating their data service.

Required NACHA file changes for ACH Originators—view our NACHA File Specs (PDF) for full details:

  • File Header Record – (Number ONE Record)

    • Immediate Destination (Positions 5 to 13) requires FCB routing number: 053100300
    • Immediate Origin (Positions 15 to 23) requires your nine digit Tax ID number
    • Immediate Destination Name (Positions 41 to 63): First Citizens Bank

  • Company/Batch Header Record – (Number FIVE Record)

    • Company ID (Positions 41 to 50) requires your Company ID number. This number isn't changing for the transition.
    • Originating DFI ID (Positions 80 to 87) requires FCB routing number 053100300

Additional resources

Processing an ACH Batch

Create and modify an ACH payment by using an ACH template.

Watch a video about how to process an ACH batch

Creating an ACH Template

Use templates to choose how many approvers will be required for payments, and if there's a maximum amount allowed.

Watch a video about how to create an ACH template

Importing a NACHA File

Import NACHA file payment details from another application for processing.

Watch a video about how to import NACHA files

NACHA File Specs

Here are all the current NACHA specifications for your reference.

View our NACHA file specifications PDF , Opens in a new tab

ACH Payments

Learn how to create, manage and approve ACH payments.

View our creating an ACH payment quick reference guide PDF , Opens in a new tab

NACHA File Information

Instructions for compiling your data entries, files and batches into an acceptable NACHA file format.

View our NACHA file information PDF , Opens in a new tab

FAQ
People often ask us

All ACH transactions submitted prior to 10 pm ET will be processed at First Citizens the same day for delivery to your customer's bank. Transactions submitted after 10 pm ET will be processed at First Citizens for delivery to your customer's bank the next business day.

  • Submit ACH Credit files for direct deposit at least 1 business day in advance of the effective deposit or payroll date
  • Submit ACH Debit files for automatic drafting at least 1 business day in advance of the effective due date

Direct Send customers will continue using their current data transmission service to submit files—until contacted by First Citizens to discuss updating their data service.

Yes. Your ACH Company ID(s) will remain the same.

Yes. You'll need to make adjustments in the software you use to create NACHA files. For successful file uploads, you’ll need to make the following adjustments:

  • Immediate Destination (Positions 4 to 13) FCB Routing number: 053100300
  • Immediate Origin (Positions 15 to 23) company’s Tax ID
  • Immediate Destination (Positions 41 to 63): First Citizens Bank

Review NACHA File Specs (PDF) and NACHA File Information (PDF) to learn more about formatting.

Yes. Ensure your NACHA files are properly formatted by reviewing the NACHA File Specs (PDF) in the Learning Center. We recommend submitting your NACHA file in Test Mode to ensure there are no updates needed. If there are errors, you'll receive an error code indicating which field(s) need to be repaired. Files successfully submitted in Test Mode will need to be resubmitted as a live file with an altered name and file modifier for processing.

More information about ACH transactions can be found in the Commercial Advantage Learning Center.

The daily cutoff time for Same Day ACH is 3:30 pm ET and the limit is currently set at $1,000,000 per transaction. See the Cutoff Times Chart (PDF) for more cutoff time information.

For customers on Commercial Advantage, contact your banker to get enrolled. Customers on Digital Banking for business already have access to Same Day ACH.

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Bank deposit products are offered by First Citizens Bank. Member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender. icon: sys-ehl.

NMLSR ID 503941