Here’s What NACHA’s 2026 Rule Changes Mean for Financial Institutions & Why You Need to Move Fast

The payments system is changing, and financial institutions are preparing for one of the biggest updates the ACH network has seen in years. In 2026, NACHA will introduce new requirements designed to reduce fraud, especially the fast-growing wave of credit push and social engineering scams. These changes reflect the reality that criminals no longer rely only on stolen credentials or unauthorized account access. Instead, they are increasingly tricking real customers or staff members into sending money voluntarily under false pretenses. As that type of fraud continues to rise, the industry needs stronger tools to identify suspicious behavior earlier in the process.

Your Guide To NACHA's 2026 Rule Changes

The core of the new rules is simple. Every participant in the ACH network will be required to maintain documented, risk based fraud monitoring programs. This means that financial institutions will need clear policies and procedures that reflect their size, business model, and fraud exposure. The old standard of having a system that is commercially reasonable is going away. Instead, NACHA expects institutions to demonstrate that they are actively monitoring activity, responding to unusual patterns, and reviewing their controls regularly. The rules do not require any specific technology or a particular monitoring tool. What matters is having an approach that is thoughtful, well-documented, and based on real risk.

A major part of this shift is NACHA’s expanded definition of fraud. Transactions that are authorized under false pretenses will now be treated the same as traditional unauthorized activity. This includes scams like business email compromise or vendor impersonation, where a customer or employee is manipulated into sending money to a fraudster. These are some of the fastest-growing types of ACH fraud, and they can be difficult to detect because the transactions look legitimate on the surface. By explicitly bringing these scenarios into scope, NACHA is pushing institutions to move beyond basic authentication checks and toward monitoring behavior and patterns.

Another practical update is the requirement for more consistent labeling of transactions. Originators will need to use standardized Company Entry Descriptions, such as PAYROLL or PURCHASE. This may seem small, but it helps both institutions and account holders quickly recognize whether a transaction looks correct. Clearer labeling makes suspicious entries easier to catch, supports faster responses, and reduces confusion at the customer level.

When Will This Happen?

The rollout will happen in two stages. Larger institutions must comply first in March 2026, and the rules apply to all participants starting in June 2026. Even organizations with low ACH volume will be expected to put monitoring procedures in place and review them on a recurring basis. In other words, no financial institution is too small to be part of this shift toward proactive fraud prevention.

For financial institutions, this is an opportunity to take a step back and evaluate current processes. Many banks and credit unions already monitor ACH activity, but the new rules raise expectations around documentation, transparency, and consistency. Institutions will need to look closely at how they review activity, how quickly they can identify anomalies, and how prepared they are to escalate concerns. They will also need to ensure that teams across operations, compliance, and fraud management are aligned on responsibilities and process flow. With the right preparation, this transition can help reduce loss exposure, improve customer experience, and strengthen trust.

Technology partners can play a critical role here. Mozrt is built to support financial institutions as they adjust to these new requirements with tools that enable risk-based monitoring, analytics, documentation, and configurable controls. Our platform can identify unusual patterns, flag high-risk transactions or new recipients, and provide the visibility needed to detect fraud attempts earlier. Institutions working with Mozrt can rely on comprehensive reporting and audit readiness, making it easier to meet NACHA’s expectations without increasing operational burden. We also focus on scalable implementation so that banks and credit unions of any size can adopt effective monitoring without heavy investment or long deployment cycles.

Although 2026 may seem far away, preparation should start now. Institutions that take the time to evaluate their monitoring approach, update internal policies, and refine workflows will be well-positioned for a smooth transition. With Mozrt, many financial institutions can be onboarded, configured, and actively monitored well before the deadlines arrive.

Fraud is evolving quickly, and NACHA’s updates reflect the need for stronger prevention across the entire payment lifecycle. These changes reinforce a simple message. Proactive, risk-aware monitoring is becoming the new standard for secure payments. Mozrt is here to support financial institutions in meeting these expectations and building a safer, more resilient network for customers and communities.

To learn more or to begin planning your approach to the 2026 changes, connect with our team to discuss how Mozrt can help.