How to Accept eChecks

What Is an eCheck?

An eCheck (or electronic check) is a payment method that serves as the digital version of a paper check. As an alternative to paper checks, eChecks offer a fast and secure way to transmit money from one account to another electronically. Your business can accept eCheck payments in-store, online, and/or over the phone.

Should My Business Accept eCheck Payments?

You should definitely consider setting up your business to accept eChecks because customers today expect merchants to accommodate a variety of payment options. Plus, certain businesses can benefit from the ease with which eChecks allow for recurring payments. Think of gym memberships, property management companies, and subscription-based services.

Even brick-and-mortar stores can process paper checks as eChecks—you just need to set up a merchant account with an ACH provider and get the right payment processing equipment.

How Does an eCheck Work?

Like paper checks, eChecks basically authorize the customer’s bank to release funds to the merchant’s bank. The key difference is that paper checks often require face-to-face interaction and either hand-delivering checks or sending them via postal mail.

The process is much more streamlined with eChecks. Everything can be processed digitally, saving everyone the trip and postage stamps. Here’s what happens when your customer uses an eCheck as payment:

1. Authorize. The customer authorizes the transaction (via digital signature, typically) and submits their checking account number, bank routing number, and payment amount.
2. Submit. The merchant inputs the customer’s bank and payment information. If it’s a recurring payment, the merchant will also indicate the recurring payment schedule.
3. Process. The ACH network processes the transaction, communicating with the customer’s bank to verify the customer’s information.
4. Deposit. The funds are electronically withdrawn from the customer’s account and sent to the merchant’s banking institution to be deposited in the merchant’s bank account.

This process is similar to what would happen with a paper check. Since eChecks are processed by the ACH electronically, though, the processing time is minimized, meaning you’ll get your payments faster.

Setting Up an ACH Merchant Account

You’ll need to set up an ACH merchant account through your payment processor in order to accept eChecks. Typically, your payment processor will need the following information:

• Business name and address
• Federal Tax ID number
• Bank account details
• Transaction processing volumes
• Years you’ve been in business

That’s it! You can expect your account to be approved or denied within a few days. If you’re already looking for payment processing solutions, then it’s worth your time to discuss the option of setting up an ACH account to accept eCheck payments.

eCheck Processing Fees

You will pay fees for eCheck payment processing, but those fees tend to be cheaper for merchants because eCheck transactions do not flow through the same channels as other payment methods. These transactions are not subject to the interchange fees and card brand fees you’d be charged for credit card transactions.

Instead, your processor will typically charge a per-transaction fee and possibly a monthly fee. You’ll want to review your rates and contract terms with whoever signs you up for payment processing.