In the payments industry, change is a constant. Rules evolve to keep pace with fraud trends, technology, and customer expectations. For many financial institutions and payment providers, the challenge isn’t just knowing what’s coming—it’s preparing in time to adapt. That’s why I’m excited to share the experience of working with Affirmative Technologies to create a resource designed to help organizations do exactly that.
Why This Collaboration Mattered
As Nacha prepares to implement its 2026 Fraud Monitoring Rule, institutions are facing heightened expectations around monitoring, detecting, and mitigating fraud within the ACH Network. These changes are not minor adjustments; they represent a significant shift toward proactive oversight. Many organizations expressed a need for clarity—not only about what the new requirements mean, but also how to operationalize them.
That’s where the collaboration with Affirmative Technologies came in. By combining Affirmative’s expertise in payments technology with NEACH Payments Group (NPG) deep knowledge of ACH risk management and compliance, we were able to design a practical guide that does more than summarize rules. It gives institutions the tools and resources they need to build compliance into their processes today, so they’re ready for tomorrow.
What the Guide Covers
The guide is focused on the 2026 Fraud Monitoring Rule, but we wanted to take a broader view. It includes:
- A breakdown of the 2026 Nacha Fraud Monitoring Rule: What’s changing, why it matters, and how financial institutions can align their monitoring practices with Nacha’s expectations.
- Context on previous rule changes: From monitoring requirements already in place to other compliance updates, the guide shows how incremental changes over the past several years have been building toward a stronger fraud-prevention framework.
- Practical tools and resources: Worksheets, checklists, and key considerations to help institutions assess current practices, identify gaps, and plan enhancements before deadlines arrive.
The Value for Organizations
By consolidating this information into one resource, we aimed to make compliance feel less overwhelming. Instead of reacting to each rule in isolation, organizations can see the bigger picture—how one change connects to another, and how building the right foundation now makes it easier to adapt in the future.
The feedback so far has been encouraging: institutions feel more confident about where they stand today, and more prepared for what’s ahead.
Looking Ahead
Fraud is evolving rapidly, and Nacha’s rules are evolving right alongside it. But with the right guidance and partnerships, compliance doesn’t have to be a scramble. It can be a strategic advantage—one that strengthens customer trust and operational resilience.
Working with Affirmative Technologies on this project reinforced the power of collaboration. Together, we can equip organizations with not just awareness of the rules, but the strategies and tools to thrive under them.
NEACH Payments Group, a subsidiary of NEACH - New England Automated Clearing House Association, helps financial institutions, corporations, and vendors solve operational and regulatory challenges, manage risk, and drive financial or business improvement. For more information, visit neachgroup.com.
NEACH - New England Automated Clearing House Association is a neutral, member-focused advocate. Our role is to give you the intelligence, context, and connections you need to make informed strategic decisions. We bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators so you can evaluate innovation through the lens of your institution’s mission and market strategy. For more information, visit neach.org.