# ACH

*Banking & Payments — Finicade finance glossary*

ACH is the batch network behind US direct deposits, direct debits and most bill payments — cheap, reversible, and slower than a wire.

ACH is the batch network behind US direct deposits, direct debits and most bill payments — cheap, reversible, and historically slow, settling in one to three days. Batch processing is why an ACH transfer costs cents while a wire costs tens of dollars. Reversibility makes it safer for consumers and is exactly why sellers of high-value goods insist on wires instead.

**Also known as:** Automated Clearing House, ACH transfer, BACS

**Related terms:** [Wire Transfer](https://finicade.com/glossary/wire-transfer), [Direct Deposit](https://finicade.com/glossary/direct-deposit), [Real-Time Payments](https://finicade.com/glossary/real-time-payments), [Payment Rails](https://finicade.com/glossary/payment-rails), [Settlement (T+1)](https://finicade.com/glossary/settlement)

Source: https://finicade.com/glossary/ach