NACHA Rules on Credit-Push Fraud Risk Now Effective

NACHA has implemented Phase 1 of new fraud monitoring rules for the ACH Network effective March 20, 2026. ODFIs of all sizes and non-consumer Originators, Third-Party Service Providers, and Third-Party Senders with 6 million+ annual ACH origination volume (2023) must now have risk-based processes to identify fraudulent ACH entries. RDFIs with 10 million+ annual ACH receipt volume (2023) must similarly implement fraud identification procedures. Phase 2 in June 2026 will extend these requirements to all entities regardless of volume.

2026 Nacha Operating Rules and Guidelines - New Risk Management Focus

NACHA announces the 2026 Nacha Operating Rules and Guidelines, emphasizing a new focus on risk management and credit-push fraud monitoring. The rulebook is available for purchase through the Nacha Store at $75 for members and $110 for non-members. Financial institutions are encouraged to obtain the latest edition to access educational materials and guidance for compliance with the new risk-based approach.

New Nacha Risk Management Rules Compliance Guidance

NACHA published compliance guidance on new ACH Network Risk Management Rules effective in 2026, advising organizations to implement proactive, risk-based processes including annual reviews. The guidance emphasizes that compliance is not a one-time exercise but requires ongoing evaluation against evolving fraud schemes, technological changes, and operational growth.

Podcast on Fraud Prevention: ACH Check Fraud Rising

NACHA published a podcast featuring Q2 and NACHA executives discussing the rise in check and ACH fraud. The podcast highlights that Positive Pay fraud prevention services are often adopted reactively after fraud occurs rather than proactively, and explores potential industry shifts such as making fraud protection an 'opt-out' rather than 'opt-in' service.

20 New Members Join Payments Innovation Alliance

NACHA announced that 20 organizations joined the Payments Innovation Alliance during Q1 2026, expanding the cross-industry network that addresses innovation, education and operational improvements across the ACH Network. New members include financial institutions, fintech companies, technology providers, and legal service firms. The Alliance provides members with workgroup access, industry discussions, and engagement with payments ecosystem leaders.

SEC Highlights Financial Independence During Financial Literacy Month

The SEC's Office of Investor Education and Assistance announced it will highlight financial planning tools and resources during National Financial Literacy Month in April. The initiative promotes diversified investing, emergency fund creation, debt reduction, and long-term retirement planning through Investor.gov resources.

Final Rule Prohibits Regulators from Using Reputation Risk in Bank Supervision

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation jointly issued a final rule codifying the elimination of reputation risk from their supervisory programs. The rule defines reputation risk and explicitly prohibits the agencies from criticizing, taking adverse action, or instructing banks to close customer accounts based on a person's political, social, cultural, religious views, constitutionally protected speech, or lawful business activities perceived as reputational risk.

AML/CFT Program Requirements - Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

The OCC, FDIC, and NCUA jointly issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend BSA compliance program requirements for supervised banks, rebranding them as AML/CFT programs. The proposal would incorporate FinCEN's national AML/CFT priorities, add customer due diligence requirements, establish a two-pronged framework for evaluating program establishment and maintenance, and create a new notice and consultation framework for AML/CFT enforcement and supervisory actions. The changes align bank regulations with amendments made by the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020.

OCC Announces Deputy Comptrollers for Chartering, Organization and Structure

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency announced the promotions of Jason Almonte and Sebastian Astrada to Deputy Comptrollers for Chartering, Organization and Structure (CO&S). In their new roles, they will set policies and provide executive direction on federal bank applications, chartering, and corporate activities. The announcement highlights their experience with digital asset filings, de novo charter applications, and business combinations.

Prohibition on Use of Reputation Risk by Regulators: Final Rule

The OCC and FDIC issued a joint final rule prohibiting banking regulators from using reputation risk as a basis for supervisory criticism or adverse action against institutions. The rule also bars agencies from requiring or encouraging banks to terminate or modify relationships with third parties based on political, social, religious views, constitutionally protected speech, or lawful but politically disfavored activities. The rule codifies the agencies' removal of reputation risk from their supervisory frameworks and will take effect 60 days after Federal Register publication.