ACH/EFT Electronic Checks

With Electronic Checking, You can take More into Account

The fact is, more than 90 percent of American adults have a personal checking account, making checks the preferred form of payment for millions of people. As technological advances offer us even easier choices, more people are paying by check and debit card (a check’s first cousin), without even having to pick up – let alone find -- their pens and checkbooks. Now checks can be received easily by phone, fax or Internet. Accepting checks in these ways -- and encouraging check writers to take advantage of electronic payment options -- helps businesses gain tremendous and immediate financial benefits, as well as greater employee efficiency, and payment convenience for the growing number of technology-savvy customers.

How do electronic checks work?

Either an individual or your organization’s staff can originate an electronic check (ACH). Our web based payment gateway, includes a Virtual Terminal and provides the ability for one-time and recurring ACH payments in addition to the ability to add payment options anywhere on your website for customers to use. Transactions move through the Federal Reserve’s Automated Clearing House network, and funds settle into your account quickly.

• Customers can “write” a check on any Internet web page, for any purpose. C&A Solutions, LLC offers On Line payments that can be strategically placed on web pages to permit quick payment for any reason – without having to go to a cumbersome shopping cart.
  
• Customers can also phone or fax their check payment to an operator at your business. Your employee simply gathers the checking account details (bank routing, account numbers and amount) and enters them into the Virtual Terminal Payment Gateway, creating an electronic check.
  
• Electronic checks can be one-time or recurring, if customers wish to pay a set amount on established dates.
  
• Customers can use electronic checks not only for one-time purchases but also for recurring payments.
  
• Electronic checks are very secure. Special Federal Reserve rules provide greater protection for consumers than the rules for paper checks.

Why bother considering new electronic payment options?

For decades, businesses have accepted payments in the familiar form of personal paper checks. Every day, businesses receive thousands of checks that must be processed, documented and taken physically to the bank -- sometimes days or even weeks after the checks were written.

By expanding your business’ electronic payment options, you’re offering your customers credit card-style convenience founded on a well-established preference for checking. Money settles into the bank in the fastest way possible. You’re reducing paper rework, handling and filing time and therefore increasing employee efficiency. You’re lowering the potential for check loss, customer identity theft, and employee dishonesty. You’re improving security. And you’re increasing financial accuracy, audit ability and accountability. You’re also saving your business money in transaction expenses: Electronic checks avoid bank deposit fees and process at a fixed, flat cost – a fraction of the amount charged for percentage-based credit card gifts and purchases. In essence, electronic checking is good money management, and good stewardship.

Will customers appreciate having these new electronic payment options?

For customers, convenience is key. At a time when most of us struggle with feeling overextended by personal, financial and time commitments, we appreciate the ability to choose easy payment options that work best for our specific circumstances.

Electronic Checks Help Your Business:

• Improve cash flow by providing convenient payment options for check-preferring, technology-savvy customers.


• Rapid funds settlement
• Increase accuracy, accountability and audit ability


• Reduce in-house paper handling, filing and storage


• Increase security in processing transactions


• Lower the risk of check loss, customer identity theft or employee dishonesty


• Encourage receipt of payments on time, and at a fraction of the cost of accepting credit cards


• Normalizes your cash flow so you can plan and budget


• Gives your business confidence and security in collections


• Get past due customers accounts current


• Reduces administrative load by reducing time involved with paperwork and collections, reduces or eliminates billing


• No more late payment notices, no more collection calls, (can increase collection rate to 98%)


• Improves number of days outstanding


• Increases productivity of employees by allowing them to concentrate on income generating activities


• Allows your business to offer personalized service and flexibility