The following steps occur for an ACH payment:  

ACH Payment performs the payment in two parts. In this example, a Debit/Sale payment, the ACH Payment service first moves the money from your customer's bank account and then moves the money to your bank account. 

1. A customer makes a purchase from your business and receives an invoice.  
2. The customer reviews the bill and either mails you a check or provides you the necessary information over the phone to make payment. Then, using ACH Payments, you securely send the information to Forte for processing on the date specified by the customer.
3. Forte prepares the ACH payment information and delivers it for ACH submission to the originating depository financial institution (ODFI) by electronic transmission over a secure connection. The ACH payments are submitted to the ODFI on the customer-specified payment date.
4. The ODFI processes the ACH payment information and electronically delivers the information to the ACH network operator (Federal Reserve). The ACH network operator electronically distributes the ACH items to the customer’s bank (RDFI).
5. The Federal Reserve credits the ODFI’s bank account on settlement day for the value of all ACH debits deposited and debits the RDFI’s bank account for the value of ACH items received.
6. Forte then initiates a secondary transaction to move the money into your bank account.
7. The customer’s periodic bank statements reflect ACH payments.
8. Merchants are notified of ACH payments on their bank statements. Merchants use Forte Dex to view status and reports on previously submitted payments.
9. If a customer debit results in a return for insufficient funds, closed bank account, or other error condition, then Forte debits your bank account for the amount of the return. Merchants use Forte Dex to view return detail information.