What is the Automated Clearing House (ACH) and how does it work? Do ACH payments post immediately? ACH payments can take a few days to post to your account. This is because the ACH network processes payments in batches, and your bank may not process payments until the next batch. Do all banks use ACH? No, not all banks use ACH. Some banks may use other methods for processing transactions, such as wire transfer. What happens when an ACH is returned? If your ACH payment is returned, your broker will likely charge you a fee and may also suspend your account until the issue is resolved. You will need to contact your bank to find out why the payment was returned and then take steps to correct the issue. Depending on the reason for the return, you may need to provide additional documentation to your bank or broker. What is the difference between direct deposit and ACH? ACH is an electronic network for financial transactions in the United States. Direct deposit is a type of ACH transaction. In a direct deposit, your employer or other payer sends your money directly to your bank or credit union account. With an ACH transaction, you can also transfer money between your own accounts at different financial institutions. Is PayPal an ACH? As of right now, PayPal is not an ACH.