US customers and marketplaces often expect routing and account numbers for a domestic ACH payment. A local USD account lets an international company receive those payments without asking every customer to send an international SWIFT wire.
What is ACH?
ACH stands for Automated Clearing House. It is the US network used for electronic bank credits and debits, including B2B payments, account funding, supplier payments, and recurring collections.
ACH payments are processed in batches during banking days. Nacha explains that ACH credits can settle on the same banking day, the next banking day, or within two banking days depending on how they are submitted. Same Day ACH can settle eligible payments within hours.
ACH is a local USD rail. It is different from a domestic wire and from SWIFT.
Why companies use ACH
US customers pay domestically
The payer uses a US routing number, account number, beneficiary name, amount, and reference. It does not need an international correspondent route.
ACH works well for regular B2B payments
ACH is commonly used for invoices, platform payouts, recurring supplier payments, and transfers between company accounts. It is designed for predictable payment flows rather than urgent high-value settlement.
Same Day ACH is available for eligible payments
Nacha states that Same Day ACH supports credit and debit payments within the same business day. The current network limit and the provider's own limit may differ, and cut-off times apply.
| Payment need | Better starting point |
|---|---|
| Routine US customer payment | ACH credit |
| Eligible time-sensitive payment | Same Day ACH |
| High-value or urgent domestic USD payment | Domestic wire |
| International USD payment without US local details | SWIFT |
| Authorised recurring collection | ACH debit, where supported |
US account details are required
To receive ACH, a company needs US account details connected to an ACH-enabled financial institution. Those details normally include the company beneficiary name, routing number, and account number.
HEVN can arrange named USD account details for approved international companies through available US sponsor banks. Depending on the company, the available route may use Lead Bank, CFSB, J.P. Morgan, Citi, HSBC, or another approved partner.
The selected partner provides the regulated payment service and account details. HEVN manages the application, access, payment workflow, and records. Partner availability is confirmed only after KYB and use-case review.
How to open an ACH account in HEVN
- Sign in to HEVN.
- Open Accounts.
- Select Open account.
- Choose USD.
- Select ACH / Domestic Wire.
- Review the sponsor banks available for the company.
- Choose the appropriate account type and fees.
- Click Open ACH account and submit the application.
HEVN may recommend one bank over another based on incorporation, ownership, industry, expected senders, transaction size, and countries involved.
Documents to prepare
- incorporation certificate and current registry extract
- formation documents and ownership chart
- director and UBO identification
- company website and business description
- US customer, marketplace, or supplier contracts
- recent invoices showing expected USD payments
- recent business bank statement
- expected monthly volume and transaction size
- expected senders and beneficiaries
- source-of-funds evidence where required
For a large first ACH credit, provide the sender's legal name, sender bank, amount, expected date, invoice, and signed contract in advance.
Use ACH with other HEVN accounts
An approved HEVN account can connect multiple partner routes. A company can receive USD through its named ACH details, convert to EUR, and withdraw through its named Banking Circle SEPA details. It can also receive EUR through SEPA, convert to USD, and pay a US supplier through ACH.
ACH receipt, conversion, and SEPA withdrawal are separate transactions. Each route has its own timing, pricing, limits, and review requirements.
Use the company name and routing details exactly as shown in HEVN. Ask the sender to pay from its corporate account and include the correct invoice reference.
Need help choosing a US sponsor bank and ACH route? Book a call with the HEVN team.
