> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.lead.bank/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# ACH timing and availability

> Lead's ACH processing windows, cutoff times, and how settlement timing is determined.

Lead submits ACH entries to the Fed in six processing windows each business day. A transfer goes out in the next window after it passes validation, provided it reaches Lead before that window's cutoff. Cutoffs are firm. Anything received after a cutoff is queued for the next available window.

Two things determine when a transfer settles:

* **Delivery type.** For API transfers, set [`delivery_type`](https://docs.lead.bank/v2/products/ach/timing) to `same_business_day` or `next_business_day` when you create the transfer. For file submissions, set [`effective_date`](https://docs.lead.bank/v2/products/ach/timing) in the file.
* **Which window your submission goes out in**, based on the cutoff times on this page.

All times are Central Time. Business days are weekdays that aren't Federal Reserve holidays. Transfers submitted on a weekend or holiday settle on the next business day. Submit as early as you can ahead of a cutoff to avoid missing the window.

## Same-day ACH

Transfers created with `delivery_type: same_business_day` settle within hours, through the first three windows of the day:

| Lead's cutoff | Settlement |
| - | - |
| 9 AM CT | 12 PM CT, same business day |
| 1:15 PM CT | 4 PM CT, same business day |
| 2 PM CT | 5 PM CT, same business day |

The 3:15 PM CT window handles next-day transfers and returns only. When a same-day transfer settles depends on when it reaches Lead:

* By 2 PM CT on a business day: it settles that day.
* After 2 PM CT: Lead converts it to next-day delivery and it settles at 7:30 AM CT on the next business day.
* After 10 PM CT on the evening before a business day: it goes out in that day's same-day windows instead and settles at 12 PM CT.

On a weekend or holiday, it settles at 7:30 AM CT on the next business day.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Nacha caps same-day ACH at \$1,000,000 per transfer. A `same_business_day` transfer over that amount is processed as next-day.

## Next-day ACH

Transfers created with `delivery_type: next_business_day` settle at 7:30 AM CT on the next business day, whichever of the six windows they go out in:

| Lead's cutoff | Settlement |
| - | - |
| 9 AM CT | 7:30 AM CT, next business day |
| 1:15 PM CT | 7:30 AM CT, next business day |
| 3:15 PM CT | 7:30 AM CT, next business day |
| 6:30 PM CT | 7:30 AM CT, next business day |
| 9:15 PM CT | 7:30 AM CT, next business day |
| 10 PM CT | 7:30 AM CT, next business day |

When a next-day transfer settles depends on when you submit it:

* Before 10 PM CT on a business day: it settles at 7:30 AM CT the next business day.
* After 10 PM CT on a business night that's followed by another business day: it misses the overnight window and settles at 7:30 AM CT on the second business day after submission. A transfer submitted Tuesday at 10:30 PM CT settles Thursday morning.
* After 10 PM CT on Friday, or at any time on a weekend or holiday: it settles at 7:30 AM CT on the next business day. A transfer submitted late Friday night settles Monday.

## ACH returns

Returns use all six windows and settle same-day through the 3:15 PM CT window:

| Lead's cutoff | Settlement |
| - | - |
| 9 AM CT | 12 PM CT, same business day |
| 1:15 PM CT | 4 PM CT, same business day |
| 3:15 PM CT | 5 PM CT, same business day |
| 6:30 PM CT | 7:30 AM CT, next business day |
| 9:15 PM CT | 7:30 AM CT, next business day |
| 10 PM CT | 7:30 AM CT, next business day |

Settlement timing is separate from return deadlines. A return must still be submitted within its Nacha return window. See [Returns, reversals, and exceptions](https://docs.lead.bank/v2/products/ach/exceptions.md) for those rules and Lead's return cutoffs.

## Try it

Pick a submission time and type to see when a transfer is expected to settle. The estimator applies the cutoff tables on this page, including weekends and Federal Reserve holidays.

If the estimator doesn't load, the tables above contain the same rules.