Harbour Payments
ACH & BANK TRANSFERS

Move larger payments directly, bank to bank.

Lower-cost transfers for B2B invoices, rent, and high-ticket transactions, with built-in account verification.

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Card processing makes sense for most day-to-day transactions, but once a payment gets large — a B2B invoice, a commercial rent payment, a large deposit, or a high-ticket service — the percentage-based cost of card processing starts to add up in a way that a bank-to-bank transfer simply doesn't. Harbour Payments' ACH and bank transfer tools move money directly between accounts at a lower cost than card processing, which is why they're most commonly used by businesses billing other businesses, property managers collecting rent, and any merchant with a meaningfully larger average transaction size. Unlike a card payment, an ACH transfer draws directly from a customer's bank account rather than through the card networks, which is what keeps the cost down, though it also means settlement takes a bit longer — Harbour offers both same-day and standard ACH options, with standard transfers typically settling within one to a few business days. Built-in account verification helps reduce the most common ACH failure point: an incorrect or unverified bank account number, which can otherwise result in a returned transaction and a delay in getting paid. For businesses that already use recurring billing, ACH can also be set as the default payment method for larger recurring invoices, combining the cost savings of a bank transfer with the automation of scheduled billing. Because ACH and bank transfers run through the same Harbour dashboard as card and other payment types, a business collecting a mix of small card payments and large bank transfers still gets one unified view of revenue and settlement, rather than needing a separate system just to handle larger transactions.

Lower fees at scale
Cheaper than card processing for larger amounts.
Same-day or standard
Choose the settlement speed that fits your needs.
Account verification
Reduce failed transfers with built-in verification.
Great for B2B
Built for invoices, rent, and high-ticket payments.

Frequently asked questions

When should I use ACH instead of card payments?

ACH and bank transfers typically make sense for larger transactions, like B2B invoices or rent, since they carry lower fees than card processing.

How long do ACH transfers take to settle?

Harbour offers both same-day and standard ACH options, with standard transfers typically settling in one to a few business days.

Does Harbour verify bank accounts before ACH transfers?

Yes, built-in account verification helps reduce failed or returned ACH transactions.

Are ACH transfers cheaper than card payments?

Yes, ACH transfers generally carry lower fees than card processing, which matters most for larger transaction amounts.

Can ACH payments be set up as recurring charges?

Yes, ACH can be used as the payment method for recurring billing, often for larger recurring invoices.

What happens if an ACH transfer is returned?

A returned ACH transfer (for reasons like insufficient funds) is flagged in your dashboard, and you can follow up with the customer to retry.

Is there a maximum amount for ACH transfers?

Limits vary by account and risk profile; higher-volume merchants can typically process larger ACH amounts with appropriate underwriting.

Do customers need to provide bank account and routing numbers?

Yes, ACH payments require the customer’s bank account and routing number, or a secure bank login connection depending on your setup.

Can I offer both ACH and card as payment options at checkout?

Yes, customers can be given the choice between card and ACH at checkout or on an invoice.

Is same-day ACH available for urgent transfers?

Yes, Harbour offers same-day ACH options for transfers that need to settle faster than standard processing.

How is ACH different from a wire transfer?

ACH transfers move through the Automated Clearing House network and typically cost less than wire transfers, though wires can settle faster for very large amounts.

Can nonprofits use ACH for donations?

Yes, ACH is commonly used for larger one-time or recurring donations where lower fees matter.

What documentation is needed to accept ACH payments?

Typically just your standard merchant account setup; no additional documentation is required beyond what’s needed for card processing.

Are ACH payments reported in the same dashboard as card payments?

Yes, ACH transactions appear alongside card and other payment types in your unified Harbour reporting.

Can I automate account verification for new ACH customers?

Yes, built-in verification tools can confirm bank account validity before the first transfer is initiated.

Ready to lower your transfer costs?

Talk to our team about ACH for your larger transactions.

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