ACH (Automated Clearing House) payments let your customers pay directly from their checking account — just a routing and account number. Lower fees, no card required, perfect for large or recurring transactions.
Credit cards aren't the right fit for every transaction. ACH payments fill the gap — especially for high-value sales, subscriptions, and B2B payments.
Credit card processing typically runs 1.5%–3.5% per transaction. ACH payments cost a fraction of that — often a flat fee per transaction regardless of the amount. For large sales or recurring billing, the savings add up fast.
Not every customer has a credit card — or wants to use one. ACH opens the door to bank-account-only customers, businesses making B2B payments, and anyone who prefers direct bank transfers over card transactions.
ACH payments use bank-grade encryption and authentication to protect sensitive account information. Every transaction meets NACHA compliance standards — the governing body that runs the ACH network used by every U.S. bank.
MBI supports both types of ACH transactions so you can handle any payment scenario your business requires.
Initiate a one-time payment or refund directly from a customer's bank account. Ideal for invoices, large-ticket sales, service completions, or any transaction where a card isn't practical or cost-effective.
The customer provides their routing and account number. The payment is processed and funds settle to your merchant account within 1–2 business days.
One-Time Payment · Refund CapableSet up automatic scheduled payments based on your customer's preferences — weekly, monthly, or any custom interval. Once configured, payments process automatically with no manual action required.
Perfect for subscriptions, retainers, installment plans, and membership dues. Reduces late payments and eliminates manual invoicing entirely.
Automated · Subscription-ReadyRecurring ACH billing eliminates the two biggest headaches in business: chasing late payments and spending time on manual invoicing. Once a customer authorizes their bank account, you configure the schedule and MBI handles the rest.
Payments pull automatically on the scheduled date — no phone calls, no paper checks, no waiting. If a payment fails, you're notified immediately with a clear reason code so you can follow up quickly.
ACH transactions are governed by NACHA — the organization that manages the ACH network used by every bank and credit union in the United States. Compliance isn't optional, and MBI ensures every transaction meets the standard.
Banking information is encrypted in transit and at rest. Customers are never asked to share their full account credentials — only the routing and account number required to initiate the transfer, the same information printed on every paper check.
The customer provides their bank routing and account number and authorizes the payment — on a form, via phone, or through a secure online page. Authorization is stored for recurring use.
Enter the payment in your MBI virtual terminal or let recurring billing handle it automatically. For one-time ACH sales, just enter the amount and submit.
The ACH network processes the transaction and funds settle to your merchant account within 1–2 business days. You're notified in real time of approvals and any returns.
ACH isn't for every transaction — but for the right ones, it's the smartest payment method available.
Pay or receive from businesses without card fees
Auto-bill monthly without manual intervention
Reliable recurring transfers for property managers
Patient billing and premium collection
Scheduled monthly payments for service providers
Large online orders where card limits or fees apply
Direct deposit payroll for your team
Schools, tutors, and training programs
Retainers and invoices for law, accounting, consulting
ACH is built directly into your MBI virtual terminal — no separate login, no separate portal. Initiate ACH transactions right alongside your card payments.
ACH transactions appear in the same cloud reporting dashboard as your card transactions. One view of your entire payment picture — no reconciliation headaches.
Get instant alerts when an ACH payment succeeds, fails, or is returned. Clear return reason codes tell you exactly what happened and what to do next.
Set transaction limits to manage risk. Define per-transaction and per-period maximums to keep your ACH activity within the bounds that work for your business.
Every ACH transaction is logged with a complete audit trail — date, amount, customer, status, and authorization record. Always ready for reconciliation or dispute resolution.
Questions about ACH returns, authorization requirements, or setup? Call (626) 340-4900. MBI's team has been helping LA-area businesses since 2004 — real answers, not a help desk queue.
For the right transactions, ACH is significantly more cost-effective. Here's the direct comparison.
| Credit / Debit Card | ACH / eCheck | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Transaction Cost | 1.5% – 3.5% + interchange | 0.80% |
| Settlement Time | 1–2 business days | 1–2 business days |
| Chargeback Risk | Higher — card network rules favor cardholders | Lower — bank-level dispute process |
| Best For | Retail, hospitality, small-ticket sales | Large invoices, recurring billing, B2B |
| Customer Requirement | Physical or digital card | Checking account (routing + account #) |
| Recurring Billing | Possible but card expiration is a friction point | Ideal — bank accounts don't expire |
Most MBI merchants use ACH alongside card processing — not instead of it.
Add ACH payments to your MBI account and start collecting bank-direct payments at a fraction of card processing cost. Setup takes minutes — savings last forever.