The short answer
ACH in the US and EFT in Canada move money bank to bank for a flat fee, typically under $2, regardless of transaction size. Standard settlement takes 1-3 business days; same-day ACH is available for qualifying transactions at a small premium.
The crossover point
Above roughly $2,500 per transaction, bank rails almost always cost less than cards. For a business invoicing $40,000, the difference is over a thousand dollars per invoice.
Returns and NSFs
Bank payments can be returned days later for insufficient funds or closed accounts. Build that lag into your fulfilment policy the way you would for a cheque.
Key takeaways
- Flat fee makes bank rails dominant on large tickets
- Same-day ACH exists for qualifying transactions
- Returns arrive days later — plan fulfilment accordingly
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