2026 Nacha Rules Changes (Part 1): Fraud Monitoring & Ops Bulletins

Overview:

The ACH Network runs on precision—formats, timing, authorizations, monitoring expectations, and rules that define what “acceptable” looks like for every participant. When Nacha updates the Operating Rules, the impact isn’t just theoretical: it shows up in risk program expectations, operational workflows, internal policies and procedures, monitoring documentation, and how exceptions are handled across origination and receiving. Starting in 2026, Nacha introduces a set of updates that ACH professionals need to understand clearly—especially the Risk Management amendments rolling out in two phases, and what they mean for day-to-day compliance across the network.

This Part 1 session focuses on the 2026 rule changes that affect fraud monitoring and ACH credit monitoring, including who is obligated to do what based on the participant’s role in the ACH flow (ODFI, RDFI, Originator, Third-Party Service Provider, Third-Party Sender) and how the threshold-based approach drives the timing and applicability of requirements. We’ll translate the rule intent into operational clarity—what the changes are designed to accomplish, how expectations differ by entity type, and what ACH teams should be prepared to show from a process and oversight standpoint.

The program also covers the 2026 amendment to standardize Company Entry Descriptions, including the defined descriptions PAYROLL and PURCHASE. For ACH operations and risk teams, this is more than formatting—it supports improved identification and monitoring of payment volumes for specific purposes, and it affects how transactions may be tracked, reviewed, and reported internally. In addition, attendees will gain clarity on funds availability requirements for non–Same Day ACH credit entries effective later in 2026, and how that change fits into operational readiness planning.

To ensure participants are not only current on rule amendments but also aligned with recent operational guidance, the session includes discussion of Nacha Operations Bulletins #1, #2, and #3 (issued in 2025). Examples will be used throughout to make the updates easier to interpret and apply—so teams leave with a stronger grasp of what’s changing, why it matters, and how to prepare across both risk and operations.

Areas covered in the session:

Fraud Monitoring – for ODFI, Originators, TPSP and TPS PLUS Credit Monitoring – for RDFI (Phase 1)

• Describe which participant is affected and what parts of the Rule applies to whom and outlining the threshold limits for each.
• Define what’s changing with “commercially reasonable fraud detection system.”
• Provide details on the next level description of requirements – i.e., “reasonably intended to identify…” (including the requirements that apply “to the extent relevant to the role the entity plays.”)
• Outline how the Rule allows an ODFI to expressly consider steps other participants in origination are taking to monitor for fraud
• List other parts of the Rule relating to monitoring.
• Identify the requirement of an “at least annual” review of processes and procedures.

Standardization of Company Entry Descriptions

• Describe “when” to use the NEW “PAYROLL” and “PURCHASE” as the NEW Company Entry Descriptions
• Identify the IMPACTS and BENEFITS to the participants involved in this change to formatting.

Fraud Monitoring – by Originators, TPSP and TPS PLUS Credit Monitoring – for RDFI (Phase 2)

• Define which participants are affected and what parts of the Rule applies to whom (the parties who didn’t meet the first threshold)

Examples used throughout the presentation will help identify the “meaning” of these new Nacha Operating Rule amendments.

Why should you attend?

The 2026 Nacha Operating Rules updates go beyond “rule text”—they directly affect how ACH risk and operations teams monitor, document, and demonstrate compliance across origination and receiving. This session helps you cut through the noise and understand what’s changing, who it applies to, and when it becomes enforceable, so you can prepare with confidence.

You’ll gain practical clarity on the two-phase Risk Management amendments (including thresholds and participant obligations), along with the standardized Company Entry Descriptions and what they mean for identifying and monitoring payment purposes. You’ll also walk away better equipped to interpret the intent behind the updates, align internal procedures, and reduce last-minute compliance scramble as effective dates approach.

Finally, the program connects the rule changes to recent operational guidance by covering Nacha Operations Bulletins #1, #2, and #3 (issued in 2025), using examples throughout to make the new requirements easier to understand and apply in real ACH workflows.

Who will benefit?

ACH rule changes in 2026 will impact how payments teams manage fraud/risk monitoring, transaction oversight, and operational compliance across origination and receiving. This session is built for professionals who need to stay current on Nacha requirements and translate them into day-to-day controls—those include:

• ACH Operations Managers / ACH Operations Specialists
• ACH Product Managers / Payments Product Managers (ACH)
• Payments Operations Managers / Payments Operations Analysts
• Electronic Payments Managers / Electronic Payments Specialists
• Treasury Management Operations Managers / Treasury Operations Specialists
• Treasury Services Managers / Treasury Services Operations
• Deposit Operations Managers / Deposit Operations Specialists
• Retail Operations Managers / Branch Operations Leaders (payments oversight)
• Back Office Operations Managers / Back Office Analysts
• Banking Operations Managers / Banking Operations Analysts
• Risk Managers (Payments / Operational Risk)
• ACH Risk Analysts / Payments Risk Analysts
• Fraud Prevention Managers / Fraud Operations Managers
• Financial Crimes Compliance (FCC) Professionals
• BSA/AML Officers and Analysts (payments-facing roles)
• Sanctions Compliance Professionals (payments-facing roles)
• Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Professionals supporting payments
• Compliance Officers / Compliance Managers (bank or fintech)
• Regulatory Compliance Analysts (payments)
• Internal Audit Managers / Internal Auditors (payments/operations audits)
• Quality Assurance / Controls Testing Analysts (payments)
• Policy & Procedures Managers (payments/operations)
• ODFI Operations and Risk Teams
• RDFI Operations and Risk Teams
• Originator Operations Leaders (commercial ACH)
• Third-Party Service Provider (TPSP) Operations / Risk Teams
• Third-Party Sender (TPS) Operations / Risk Teams
• Implementation / Onboarding Managers (ACH & treasury services)
• Client Support / Client Success Managers (ACH, treasury, payments)
• Payments Relationship Managers / Treasury Relationship Managers
• Operations Training Managers (payments/ACH)