Explore every episode of the podcast Payments SmartCast

Huge changes are underway in the payments industry—with many more on the horizon. In this episode of Payments SmartCast, Nacha's Senior Director, Payments Innovation Alliance, Education & Accreditation Jennifer West, Director, Payments Education at EPCOR, and Project Team Co-Lead Sharon Hallmark, and Chief Architect, Head of Engineering at BillGO, and Team Co-Lead John Brady discuss cryptocurrency, the impact of quantum computing on payments cryptography, and the resources the Alliance has to offer.

In this episode of Payments SmartCast, Dave Scola, Chief Product Officer - US for Form3, and Mark Dixon, Senior Consultant for Nacha Consulting, explore key trends shaping the payments landscape today and in the future.

The conversation covers the rise of instant payments, including top use cases, adoption challenges, and the importance of customer education. Scola and Dixon identify what it will take to make it a reality, the technical and regulatory barriers that still exist, and the innovations banks should be preparing for over the next few years to stay competitive and customer-centric.

In this episode, industry experts from LexisNexis Risk Solutions highlight the critical importance of using accurate and up-to-date routing numbers in payment processing. Hear how the high stakes of payment failures are often caused by outdated routing data. Mark Dixon of Nacha Consulting warns that incorrect routing information could even violate the Nacha Operating Rules around payment authorization.

The 9th Edition of the ACH Risk Management Handbook is a vital resource for anyone working with ACH, especially with new credit-push fraud rules coming in 2026. In this episode of Payments SmartCast, Nacha's Senior Director, Network Risk Management

Jordan Bennett talks about the handbook’s practical guidance for both receipt and origination fraud prevention. Brent Phillips of Cadence Bank joins the conversation to highlight the handbook as essential reading alongside the Nacha Rules, calling it a wise investment that will ultimately save institutions money.

The handbook offers detailed chapters, explanations, and real-life fraud scenarios to help institutions understand and implement the rules effectively. Buy your copy today!

In this episode of Payments SmartCast, Form3’s Head of Product Miriam Sheril and Amy Morris, Nacha’s Senior Director, ACH Network Rules, explore how data analytics is transforming ACH operations.

Ahead of her session at Smarter Faster Payments 2025, Sheril explains how data insights are helping financial institutions streamline operations, reduce risk, and make faster, more informed decisions. Morris highlights how the Nacha Rules support financial institutions in leveraging data analytics while maintaining compliance, particularly when working with service providers like Form3. The discussion also covers best practices for financial institutions who are starting out on their data journey, from building internal alignment to investing in the right technology.

Much more was discussed, and you can listen to the complete podcast below.

In this episode, Nacha's Senior Director of ACH Network Rules Amy Morris and the Founder and CEO of Orum Stephany Kirkpatrick dive into why collaboration is becoming critical and how financial institutions, vendors, and Originators can work together through clear, contractual partnerships.

Morris explains how splitting responsibilities can improve transparency and security. Kirkpatrick gives insights into what sets a strong vendor apart in today’s landscape. Whether you're navigating ACH compliance or rethinking your risk strategy, this episode offers insights to help you prepare for what's ahead.

In this episode of Payments SmartCast, Nacha’s Lindsay Serth and Ashley Mustico highlight why the Exhibit Hall at Smarter Faster Payments 2025 is a can’t-miss experience. Serth, Assistant Director of Exhibitor Management and Sales Support, shares how the hall fuels connection, inspiration, and real industry momentum. Mustico, Nacha’s Director of Education and Accreditation, emphasizes the importance of pairing session insights with hands-on learning in the Exhibit Hall. What is the exhibitor experience like? You'll also hear a perspective from Tammy Hughes, Kyndryl's Associate Director of Events. Learn why this event is essential for client engagement and executive-level conversations. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned attendee, this episode offers a preview of the energy and value the Exhibit Hall delivers at Smarter Faster Payments each year.

Get ready for Smarter Faster Payments 2025! In this episode, Jordan Bennett, Nacha Senior Director of Network Risk Management, and Jeanette Fox, Nacha’s Associate Managing Director of Risk Investigations, share insights on what to expect at the upcoming Payments conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, from April 27-30. They're also joined by Jennifer Stokley, Nacha General Counsel, who highlights the incredible opportunities for payments attorneys, including the chance to earn CLE credits. Tune in to learn how you can connect with industry experts, gain valuable knowledge, and make the most of your Payments experience!

In this episode of the Payments SmartCast, Nacha’s Director of Education and Accreditation Ashley Mustico, Public Relations Strategist Christina Daves, and last year's 15 Under 40 Award winner Kara Ford share insights on fostering a knowledge exchange between seasoned experts and emerging talent, leading with a focus on future workforce needs, and the power of proactive networking to build valuable connections.

In this episode, we dive into the power of creativity with Kyle Scheele, the “Patron Saint of Crazy Ideas,” ahead of his keynote at Smarter Faster Payments 2025. He shares practical tips on unlocking more and better ideas within yourself and your team, while avoiding common idea killers. Tune in to get inspired and join us in New Orleans, Louisiana, from April 27-30.

Irfan Ahmad, Managing Director and Head of US Payments at Bank of America, joins Nacha's 365 Podcast series to reflect on his journey in the payments industry. He recalls his early days at Nacha Payments and the invaluable network he built over the years. “The more you give to Payments, the more you get out of it,” says Ahmad.

Join Alliance Quantum Payments project team members Peter Tapling, APRP, John Brady, John Buselli and Brian Dao, AAP, as they discuss an overview of the promise and concerns surrounding quantum computing and payments.

For Sunrise Family Credit Union (SFCU), 2025 has been declared the "Year of the Member." In this episode of Nacha’s Payments SmartCast, Whitney Sode, CFO of SFCU, shares the journey of becoming an Originating Depository Financial Institution and the role Nacha Consulting played in helping SFCU achieve this goal. Led by Nacha Senior Consultant Mark Dixon, SFCU was guided through the process with a tailored approach that made the experience efficient and effective.

In this Payments SmartCast episode, Greg Lloyd previews the Smarter Faster Payments 2025 Conference, focusing on AI innovations and networking opportunities. Stephanie Prebish highlights the exhibit hall and encourages next-gen professionals to attend for learning and career growth. Join the conference in New Orleans from April 27-30!

Join Dave Glaser, CEO of Dwolla, Ben Glock, Senior Director of Product Strategy at Visa and Amy Morris, a Senior Director in ACH Network Rules at Nacha, to learn about the digital payment experience that is Pay by Bank. They discuss how Pay by Bank can streamline payments for consumers and businesses and the requirements for ACH Network participants under the Nacha Operating Rules & Guidelines.

Join Ross McFerrin, Vice President of Enterprise Growth at Trustly, and Amy Morris, a Senior Director in ACH Network Rules at Nacha, as they dive into the future of pay by bank in the U.S. They explore its growing potential, particularly among younger generations, while addressing concerns such as data security and authorization requirements. Learn how pay by bank could expand into everyday spending categories and bridge the gap between online and in-store purchases.

The payments industry is buzzing about pay-by-bank. What is it? What are the new use cases? What will it mean for consumers? Three industry veterans take a look at those and other pay-by-bank questions in the newest Buzzcast from Nacha's Payments Innovation Alliance. Learn more about its benefits and the strategies needed to mitigate fraud risks from Chase's Meagan Sibbald, Ginny Chappell, and Matthew Friend. This Buzzcast is also available in a video format at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npvoPQOexvA&t=218s.

Join us on this episode of Nacha’s Payments SmartCast as we delve into the highlights of Nacha's Capitol Hill Day. Rich Leary, President and CEO of PaymentsFirst, and Bill Sullivan, Nacha’s Associate Managing Director of Government and Industry Relations, share their experiences and insights from their day talking to policy makers in the Nation’s Capital. Learn how Nacha educates lawmakers on the critical role the ACH Network plays in providing Americans’ most important payments.

In this episode of Nacha’s Payments SmartCast, Shauna Wesley-Baxley from Johnson & Johnson Insurance discusses transitioning from checks to ACH payments, enhancing efficiency and client satisfaction. Brad Smith from Nacha highlights the benefits of ACH , while Laura McGorty of Synovus and Todd Tracey from DPX Payments emphasize improved security, cost savings, and the streamlined payment process of Synovus Accelerate Pay.

In this episode we sit down with Michelle Yates, Director of Execution Excellence in Treasury & Payment Solutions at Synovus Bank and Chair of Nacha’s Risk Management Advisory Group; and Jordan Bennett, Senior Director, Network Risk Management at Nacha. Recorded at Smarter Faster Payments 2024 in Miami, our guests discuss issues risk management professionals are facing, the resources and guidance Nacha is providing through the new risk Management Resource Center, and who will find it useful.

Join us on this insightful episode of Payments SmartCast as we dive into what 2024 holds for The Payments Institute (TPI) and the Nacha Risk Retreat. In this episode, Peter Tapling, Managing Director of PTap Advisory, Katie Penoyer, VP of Treasury Services at CNB Bank, Lisa Coffey, Chief Innovation Officer at Corporate America Credit Union, and Stephanie Prebish, Senior Managing Director of Association Services at Nacha, discuss the unique educational and networking opportunities for TPI and Risk Retreat participants and offer advice on how to make the most of the experience. Whether you’re preparing for your AAP or APRP exam, or simply looking to deepen your industry knowledge, this episode is packed with valuable insights and tips. Don’t miss out!

Buzzcasts offer viewers fresh, hot takes on topics that will inform industry decision-making and the future of payments. The content, curated by Nacha's Payments Innovation Alliance, showcases the payments industry thought leaders and experts among our membership. In this episode, A Closer Look at Digital Assets, Mark Dixon, AAP, APRP, NCP, Vice President of Education, NEACH, Sharon Hallmark, AAP, Director of Payments Education, EPCOR and Kim Himes, AAP, SVP, Director of Digital Banking, Bank of Charles Town discuss digital assets, their potential impact on the industry and upcoming projects from the Navigating Through Digital Payments Project Team.

Is there a hot payments topic you’d like to cover in an upcoming Buzzcast? Does your company have a new industry resource or tool you’d like to feature? Let us know at alliance@nacha.org.

Listen in as Alex Sheen—the exclusive Remote Connect keynote speaker and founder of "Because I Said I Would, "a social movement and nonprofit dedicated to bettering humanity through promises made and kept—shares the background on his story and motivation to encourage social change.

Join panelists Peter Tapling, Managing Director, PTap Advisory, LLC and Joe Casali, Executive Vice President, NEACH, as they sit down with Stephanie Prebish, Senior Managing Director, Association Services at Nacha, to talk about a Smarter Faster Payments spotlight session that provides fresh insights on the latest in headline news and opportunities to prepare for the AAP and APRP exams. Discover why this year’s conference is a “can’t miss” for both the novice and seasoned payments professional.

Sit down with three Nacha staff, Jennifer Stokley—General Counsel, Ashley Mustico—Director of Education & Accreditation and Jordan Bennett—Senior Director of Network Risk Management, to hear about how attending Smarter Faster Payments 2024 provides benefits for legal and other payments professionals involved with risk management.

If you’re interested in the financial technology sessions at Smarter Faster Payments in Miami, listen in as Steven E. Bernstein, Head of North American Strategic Business Development at J.P. Morgan, and Stephanie Prebish, Senior Managing Director of Association Services at Nacha, speak to the presentations that can help you keep up with the speed of change in the payments industry.

Join Tricia Balfe, CEO of XMLdation, a Nacha Preferred Partner for Compliance and ACH Experience, Kathy Levin, Nacha Senior Director, Strategic Payments Analyst, and Samantha Carrier, Associate Managing Director, Nacha Consulting as they explain the significance of ISO 20022 and the ACH Network. Tune in now!

Dive into the latest episode of Nacha's "Payments Smartcast" where we discuss the state of bank account validation in the ACH space with Amy Morris, Senior Director, ACH Network Rules at Nacha, and James Cook, VP of Product Management at Accelitas. Discover how advancements in validation services are enhancing fraud prevention and improving user experience.

Smarter Faster Payments 2024 is from Monday, May 6, to Thursday, May 9. Lisa Coffey and Raven Johnson with Corporate America Credit Union and Ashley Mustico from Nacha share the value of attending Smarter Faster Payments. With more than 120 educational sessions, attendees will gain valuable insights on critical issues shaping the industry while networking with fellow payments professionals. Tune in to learn how attending Smarter Faster Payments 2024 is key to staying ahead in the ever-evolving world of payments.

Nacha just released the 2024 edition of the Nacha Operating Rules & Guidelines. Listen to our latest podcast with Cari Conahan, Senior Director & Group Manager of ACH Network Rules & Enforcement at Nacha; Jim Petkovits, Vice President of Education and Training at Wespay; and George McKee, Founder, President and CEO of Profituity who combined have many decades of experience working with the ACH Network, and share their distinct perspectives on this resource that is the foundation for every ACH payment.

Registration just opened for Smarter Faster Payments 2024, which will take place in Miami from Monday, May 6 through Thursday, May 9. The conference again promises to be our industry’s premier event, drawing thousands of payments professionals to participate in more than 100 educational sessions. In this episode Carl Slabicki, the co-head of Global Payments at BNY Treasury Services and chair of the 2024 Smarter Faster Payments Conference Planning Committee, and Stephanie Prebish, Managing Director of Association Services at Nacha, discuss the topics and panels attendees can look forward to at the event.

Nacha recently updated the ACH Compliance Manual which offers crisp insights into authorizations, processing and more from Nacha’s subject matter experts. Hear from Nacha’s Danita Tyrrell, Senior Director, ACH Network Rules Development & Technical Support, and Annette Brown, Assistant Director, ACH Network Rules to understand why the 11th edition of the ACH Compliance Manual is an essential tool for financial institutions and anyone studying for the AAP or APRP accreditation exams.

The 8th Edition of the ACH Risk Management Handbook is available in the Nacha Store as well as from the Payments Associations. Angi Farren, President and CEO of the Upper Midwest ACH Association (UMACHA), joins Jordan Bennett, Senior Director of ACH Network Risk Management at Nacha, to discuss how the Handbook helps put risk-related topics in layman’s terms and is one of the go-to resources for anyone studying to earn their AAP or APRP accreditation.

Bill Sullivan, Nacha's Senior Director and Group Manager for Government and Industry Relations, and Jeremy Pritchard, Director of Client Consulting for Treasury Services at Cadence Bank, talk about their recent experience participating in Nacha's Hill Climb, where they joined Nacha members from across the country to sit down with members of Congress and their staff to discuss the critical role the ACH Network plays in providing government and private-sector payments and answer their questions about the payments industry.

Stephanie Prebish, AAP, APRP, CTP, Nacha Managing Director, Association Services and Nell Campbell-Drake, Vice President, Industry Relations, at Federal Reserve Financial Services, and a member of the 2024 Smarter Faster Payments Planning Committee break down how to craft a successful session proposal for next year’s Smarter Faster Payments Conference, taking place Monday, May 6 through Thursday, May 9 in Miami.

Dalbir Sahota (Senior Director, Product Management, Bankers Almanac) and Cindy Printer (Director Market Planning for Payments) from LexisNexis® Risk Solutions chat with Rob Unger (Senior Director of Product Management & Strategic Initiatives) from Phixius by Nacha about the unique partnership between these two renowned organizations, enabling their customers to instantly verify account details are routed to the true intended recipient and reduce the risk of fraudulent or inaccurate transactions.

Joe W. Hussey, Senior Vice President of Global Treasury Management at Wells Fargo and Chairperson of the Nacha Board of Directors, Philip C. Picillo, Esq., CTP, Executive Managing Director of Treasury Management Integration at Webster Bank and Chair of the 2023 Smarter Faster Payments Conference Planning Committee, and Stephanie Prebish, AAP, APRP, CTP, Managing Director of Association Services at Nacha give their insights about why Smarter Faster Payments 2023, taking place April 16-19 in Las Vegas, is the must-attend payments industry event.

Angel Grant, Vice President of Security at F5, gives a preview of her session at Smarter Faster Payments 2023: Navigating Payments Security and Privacy in the New World: Metaverse, Web3 & NFTs. Ashley Mustico, Director of Education and Accreditation at Nacha, joins to highlight additional sessions and why payments professionals should register for Smarter Faster Payments 2023, taking place in Las Vegas April 16-19.

Whether you are a payments veteran or new to the industry, TPI On Campus, taking place July 16-19 in Atlanta, is where you can grow your payments skills. And July 19 and 20, Nacha is offering the Risk Retreat, where you will explore risk, compliance, and legal-related concepts and implement your learning. Tim Mills, Jen Wasmund and Ashley Mustico, all of whom have been instrumental in putting TPI and the Risk Retreat together and will be in Atlanta in July, sit down with Payments Smartcast to provide a sneak peek for these upcoming events.

In this episode Nacha speaks with James Flowers, Director of Process & Change Delivery at Ally Bank, one of 446 professionals who hold both the AAP and APRP credentials, to discuss how earning Nacha credentials enhanced his career trajectory and how he prepared for both exams. We also speak with Heather von Kriegenbergh, Deposit Operations Specialist at BankProv and one of the 251 payments professionals who earned her AAP last year. She explains how she prepared for the exam.

To lift himself out of depression, Ben Nemtin developed a seemingly impossible bucket list, including playing basketball with President Obama. Then he gathered a group of friends and set out to check the items off the list. Not only did he shoot hoops with the president, but he discovered happiness and joy along the way. Listen to Ben talk about his Bucket List Journey, and then register for Smarter Faster Payments, taking place in Las Vegas April 16-19, where you can hear him speak live!

Shola Richards brings his passion and energy for the benefits of focusing on kindness and civility in the workplace. Listen to his discussion about how creating an organizational culture based on positivity is essential for long-term success, and then register for Smarter Faster Payments, taking place in Las Vegas April 16-19, where you can hear him speak live!

Nacha's subject matter experts recently updated the payments publication "Third-Party Senders and the ACH Network". Listen in to hear more about how the new edition considers both the ODFI and the Third-Party Sender on the latest Nacha Operating Rules changes, provides tips on risk management, and offers real-world examples of Third-Party Sender relationships.

Amy Morris, Senior Director of ACH Network Rules at Nacha, discusses Nacha's Micro-Entry Rule, what it means, timelines and enforcement, the transactions that are impacted, and what organizations that use Micro-Entries need to do to comply with the Rule.

Nacha just opened registration for Smarter Faster Payments 2023, which will take place April 16-19 in Las Vegas. Nell Campbell-Drake, Vice President of Industry Relations for Federal Reserve Financial Services and a member of the Payments 2023 Conference Planning Committee, and Stephanie Prebish, Managing Director of Association Services at Nacha, talk about the conference, the topics the sessions will address, and the benefits of attending. 

Nacha Rules now require ACH users to include account validation within a commercially reasonably fraudulent transaction detection system for the first use of new account information. Created and operated by Nacha, Phixius is a peer-to-peer network where financial institutions, fintechs and businesses can exchange and verify payment-related information securely, instantly, and across multiple payment types to streamline payment validations and comply with Nacha Rules. Rob Unger, Nacha’s Senior Director of Network Development & Strategic Initiatives, joined two Phixius customers--Scott Goldthwaite, President of Aliaswire and Todd Youngren, President of Avenu, to discuss Phixius’ account validation application and how being Phixius is helping their businesses.

After a two-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nacha's in-person Smarter, Faster Payments Conference will return May 1-4 in Nashville, Tennessee. With May just around the corner, participants can save hundreds of dollars by registering before March 18.  

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. government provided much-needed resources to millions of Americans,  including child tax credit payments and economic impact payments. Bill Sullivan, Nacha's Senior Director & Group Manager for Government & Industry Relations, discusses with Ken Corbin, the Wage and Investment Commissioner and Chief Taxpayer Experience Officer at the IRS, the ACH Network's critical role in getting these payments to Americans quickly and safely.

On January 24, 2022, the Internal Revenue Service began accepting and processing 2021 tax year returns. Bill Sullivan, Nacha's Senior Director & Group Manager for Government & Industry Relations, sat down with Ken Corbin, the Wage and Investment Commissioner and Chief Taxpayer Experience Officer at the IRS, to discuss how choosing direct deposit will help taxpayers receive their tax refunds faster than choosing paper checks.

The ACH Network saw new challenges in 2021, from economic impact payments and child tax credits to a surge in B2B payments. But Nacha President and CEO Jane Larimer says she believes the ACH Network “met all of the challenges the year threw at it with aplomb.” Join Jane Larimer for the year in review and a look ahead to 2022.