ACH Payroll Rule Changes Effective March 20, 2026
At a Glance: Frequently Asked Questions What is changing with ACH payroll in 2026? Starting March 20, 2026, ACH transactions used to pay wages, salaries, or other similar types of compensation must include “PAYROLL” in the Company Entry Description field. This applies regardless of the worker’s status (covering both W-2 employees and 1099 contract employees. Additionally, pre-tax deductions such as contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA) are also required to use the “PAYROLL” descriptor. What is Nacha? Nacha is the organization responsible for setting and enforcing the rules that govern the ACH Network in the United States. Read this article to learn more about Nacha Who needs to take action? Businesses that use ACH transfer services to pay employees (both W2 and 1099) wages, salaries or other forms of compensation (including pre-tax deductions like HSA contributions) will need to ensure they are entering “PAYROLL” in the Company Entry Description field. If you upload a file to process your ACH payroll transactions, you will need to ensure that your file upload meets this new “PAYROLL” requirement. Do First Bank customers need to do anything? Many First Bank customers do not. Payroll transactions processed through Payroll Templates will be updated automatically to comply with this new rule change. If you prepare a file outside of First Bank online banking and upload it into our system, you’ll need to update your file so that the Company Entry Description field is “PAYROLL”. What happens if payroll files are not updated? After March 20, 2026, payroll files that do not meet the new requirement may result in returned payroll items, and originators may receive a Notice of Change. Understanding the New ACH Payroll Rule Taking Effect March 20, 2026 If your business uses ACH to pay employees, an important rule change is approaching that may affect how payroll transactions are processed. Beginning March 20, 2026, updated Nacha requirements will apply to payroll-related ACH transactions. These changes are intended to help reduce payroll fraud and prevent misdirected payments across the ACH network. This article explains what is changing, how it may apply to First Bank customers, and what steps payroll originators should take to prepare. What Is Changing? Starting March 20, 2026, ACH transactions used to pay wages, salaries, or similar compensation must include “PAYROLL” in the Company Entry Description field. This requirement applies specifically to payroll transactions and does not affect ACH payments for vendors, consumer payments, or other non-payroll activity. Nacha, the organization that governs the ACH network, introduced this change to make payroll entries easier to identify and monitor. This strengthens risk controls and helps financial institutions detect potential fraud more effectively. How This Affects First Bank Customers The impact of this change depends on how payroll ACH transactions are originated. Customers Using First Bank’s Payroll Solutions: If you use First Bank’s Payroll option within online banking, a template, or file upload, no action is required. First Bank will automatically apply the updated Company Entry Description to payroll transactions processed through these tools. Customers Using ACH Pass-Thru: Because ACH Pass-Thru files are generated externally, they will not be automatically updated to meet the new requirement. If this applies to you, contact your payroll provider to confirm that payroll files will include “PAYROLL” in the Company Entry Description field before March 20, 2026. Payroll files that do not meet the new standard may result in returned payroll items.. Unsure How Your Payroll Is Processed? If you are not certain which method you use to originate payroll ACH transactions, Business Support can help confirm your setup and explain how the change applies to your business. Why This Matters for ACH Originators Businesses that originate ACH transactions are responsible for ensuring those transactions are accurate, authorized, and compliant with Nacha rules. Staying informed about rule changes like this one can help reduce the risk of payment disruptions, avoid delays in employee payroll, and support overall ACH compliance. Share This Information with Your Team If payroll is managed by someone else within your organization, such as a payroll processor, accountant, or third-party provider, be sure to share this information so any necessary updates can be made before the March 20 deadline. Need Help? First Bank’s Business Support team is available to answer questions and assist with understanding how this change applies to your account. Phone: 1-866-435-7208 Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
4 min read
How to protect your business from email fraud
Email fraud is a growing problem Email fraud is one of the most costly cyber threats facing companies today. Fraudsters are getting better at impersonating trusted people — like CEOs, vendors, and longtime employees — to trick businesses into making fraudulent payments or sharing sensitive security information. But here’s the good news: Business email compromise is preventable. Fraudsters often depend on human error, not on high-tech hacking, so adding a few smart safeguards can help your business stop scams before it’s too late. What is Business Email Compromise (BEC)? BEC is a type of fraud where criminals use email to pose as someone you trust. Instead of relying on malware, these attacks use social engineering. They put pressure on employees, exploit trust, or create a false sense of urgency to drive action. These are just a few common forms of email fraud: Real email accounts are taken over using stolen passwords Spoofed domains make fake emails look almost identical to real ones Executives or vendors are impersonated convincingly enough to trick employees Compromised vendor accounts send realistic payment requests Whether the email asks for a wire transfer, a payroll change, or confidential information, the goal is the same: Move fast enough to slip through safeguards. Need help fending off fraud? Snag our Fraud Spotter Checklist to help you spot a scam before it strikes, then read on for more tips on preventing email fraud! Download now Here’s what your business should watch out for Fraudsters tend to follow familiar patterns. Knowing what to look for helps your team spot trouble before it spreads. These scams work when security steps are skipped or when employees don’t pause to verify a request. Slowing down and double-checking before acting is often enough to stop them. 1. Invoice fraud You receive an “invoice” that looks legitimate. It may even be timed to match your usual billing cycles. But the payment details have been quietly altered. 2. Vendor or supplier compromise Attackers access or mimic a vendor’s email account and send updated payment instructions, redirecting funds to a fraudulent bank account. 3. Executive impersonation A senior leader sends out an email with an “urgent request” to send a wire transfer. The message might emphasize confidentiality or time constraints to make employees act fast. 4. Payroll diversion An employee “updates” their direct deposit information. Without verification, the next paycheck goes straight to a fraudulent account. 5. Gift card scams A request from a “company leader” comes through, asking for bulk gift card purchases to surprise the team with a well-earned reward. The gift cards are delivered to a fraud-friendly address. What can you do to stop email fraud? A strong defense doesn’t require complicated tools. All you need is a clear process and good guardrails. 1. Train your team regularly Training doesn’t need to be complex — short refreshers each quarter go a long way. Employees should feel confident recognizing red flags like: Pressure or urgency in unexpected requests Slight changes to company email addresses Breaking normal or established processes Instructions to keep transactions confidential 2. Turn on Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) This is one of the simplest and highest-impact steps you can take. Most account takeovers start with stolen passwords, but adding a secondary form of authentication (like a code sent via text or email) dramatically reduces your company’s risk of third-party logins. 3. Verify all financial requests through a trusted channel Before sending money or changing payment details, require a second confirmation via phone or in-person conversation. Never reply to the email directly if you suspect a scam. 4. Strengthen your email security Small steps add up to big impacts. Basic security protocols are often overlooked, even at large organizations. Here’s what you can do to help prevent email fraud: Require strong, unique passwords Implement routine password updates Add anti-phishing security tools 5. Use email authentication protocols (DMARC, SPF, DKIM) These settings help you identify impersonated emails and prevent spoofing by verifying unique digital signatures. You can think of it like having your system check the sender’s ID at the door. Your IT team or service provider can implement them quickly and easily. 6. Limit access to sensitive systems Give employees access only to software that’s essential for their role. Having fewer access points reduces your company’s risk of a data breach. 7. Create a simple response plan A quick response can minimize or prevent the damage caused by an attempted attack. Your team should know: How to report suspicious messages Authenticate a request that may not be legitimate What to do in the event of a suspected breach Start building a culture of prevention Business Email Compromise is a serious threat, but it’s also one you can prepare for. When your organization combines smart training, clear procedures, and common-sense protections, you create a reliable defense against email fraud. For questions about fraud prevention, reach out to our team. We’re always here to help you put safety and soundness first.
5 min read
Credit Scores 101: Why They Matter and How to Improve Yours
Why Does Your Credit Score Matter? A strong credit score opens up more opportunities — you can get a loan to help you buy a new car or purchase a home — and it helps you pay less by reducing the interest rate you pay when you do borrow money. When it comes to big purchases, a lower rate can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars over time On the other hand, a poor credit score can lead to higher interest rates, increased insurance premiums, and limited access to credit, making it more expensive to achieve financial goals. Here are some of the biggest benefits of having a high credit score: Lower Interest Rates: With a higher credit score, you’re likely to qualify for lower interest rates on mortgages, auto loans, and personal loans. Lower interest rates save you money over time, making large purchases more affordable. Better Loan Approval Odds: A strong credit score boosts your chances of approval when applying for new credit, such as a car loan or mortgage, which makes major milestones more achievable. More Favorable Credit Card Offers: Many of the best credit cards, with valuable rewards programs that offer cash back on purchases and perks like travel insurance, require good to excellent credit. Reduced Insurance Premiums: Some insurance companies consider credit scores when determining premiums for car and home insurance. A good score means you could save money every month. Learning to manage your money? Explore our library of helpful guides, financial tips, and more. Dive in 7 Ways to Improve Your Credit Score Improving your credit score isn’t a quick fix, but with consistency and smart financial practices, you can build a solid score over time. Here are seven strategies to help you improve your credit score: 1. Pay Your Bills on Time Payment history is one of the most important factors in your credit score. If lenders know you routinely make payments on time, they’ll be more willing to lend you money and give you a better deal. If you have a hard time remembering to pay your bills before they’re due, consider setting up automatic payments or calendar reminders to stay on track. 2. Reduce Your Credit Card Balance Aim to keep your credit utilization ratio — or the amount of credit you’re currently using compared to your total credit limit—below 30%. That means that if your total credit limit is $10,000, your balance should ideally be under $3,000 to avoid a negative impact to your credit score. Whenever possible remember to pay off your full credit card balance each month. Not only is it great for your credit, but it also helps prevent you from accruing additional charges like interest or late fees. 3. Only Apply For Credit When You Need It Each time you apply for new credit, like a credit card or a personal loan, a hard inquiry is recorded on your report. Although a single application isn’t hugely impactful, it can temporarily lower your score — and multiple applications add up. Applying for credit sparingly can help you maintain your score or avoid a negative impact. Only apply for credit you truly need to, and try to limit applications within a short time frame if you’re applying to multiple lenders for a loan. Typically, applications for credit made within a 14-day period are all treated as one, so you can safely reach out to a few prospective lenders without fear of damaging your score. 4. Increase Your Credit Limit (But Be Cautious) Asking your card servicer for a higher credit limit can reduce your credit utilization ratio, even if your spending habits don’t change. Dropping below the 30% threshold is a step in the right direction for improving your credit score — however, it’s important that the higher limit doesn’t tempt you to spend above your means. Remember that you should treat your credit card spending the same as you would treat cash in your wallet. While credit cards have the advantage of being flexible in an emergency, it’s easy to rack up debt if you aren’t careful. 5. Diversify Your Credit While it may seem fiscally responsible to have only a single credit card that you routinely pay down, lenders like to see a mix of credit types. Multiple credit cards, auto loans, and mortgages all factor into the mix. Some apartment complexes and utility providers also report on-time payments to credit bureaus. Having a diverse credit profile demonstrates your ability to manage different types of credit responsibly. Of course, you also shouldn’t take on debt simply to prove a point! Don’t open new accounts solely for the sake of credit diversity, as it’s only a small piece of your overall score. 6. Keep Your Old Accounts Open The length of your credit history plays a role in your score. Keeping older accounts open, even if you no longer use them regularly, helps increase the average age of your accounts. Closing old accounts can reduce your available credit — which increases your credit utilization ratio — and shorten your credit history. Depending on the type of account, it may also reduce the diversity of your credit mix. All of that comes together to potentially lower your credit score. 7. Regularly Check Your Credit Report It’s important to know what’s helping and hurting your credit score. By understanding what’s dragging your score down, you can come up with a plan to improve your credit over time — and by keeping an eye on your report, you’ll know if any fraudulent accounts or collections appear. If you do have a collection on your account, remember that you can always dispute it. By law, you can get a free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each of the three major credit bureaus through AnnualCreditReport.com. Put some time on your calendar each year (or more often!) to review your credit reports and come up with a plan. Need Help Building or Rebuilding Your Credit? Good credit can save you thousands of dollars over time. If you’re working to establish or rebuild your credit, a secured credit card can be an excellent tool to achieve your financial goals. That’s why we offer the First Bank Platinum Secured Credit Card, which is designed specifically for those with a lower credit score or no credit history. Accepted worldwide, equipped with fraud protection, and easy to manage through our online portal, this card gives you the flexibility and security you need to develop a strong credit profile. By consistently making on-time payments and keeping balances low, you can use this card to strengthen your credit and create new opportunities for yourself in the future.
6 min read
ACH Payroll Rule Changes Effective March 20, 2026
At a Glance: Frequently Asked Questions What is changing with ACH payroll in 2026? Starting March 20, 2026, ACH transactions used to pay wages, salaries, or other similar types of compensation must include “PAYROLL” in the Company Entry Description field. This applies regardless of the worker’s status (covering both W-2 employees and 1099 contract employees. Additionally, pre-tax deductions such as contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA) are also required to use the “PAYROLL” descriptor. What is Nacha? Nacha is the organization responsible for setting and enforcing the rules that govern the ACH Network in the United States. Read this article to learn more about Nacha Who needs to take action? Businesses that use ACH transfer services to pay employees (both W2 and 1099) wages, salaries or other forms of compensation (including pre-tax deductions like HSA contributions) will need to ensure they are entering “PAYROLL” in the Company Entry Description field. If you upload a file to process your ACH payroll transactions, you will need to ensure that your file upload meets this new “PAYROLL” requirement. Do First Bank customers need to do anything? Many First Bank customers do not. Payroll transactions processed through Payroll Templates will be updated automatically to comply with this new rule change. If you prepare a file outside of First Bank online banking and upload it into our system, you’ll need to update your file so that the Company Entry Description field is “PAYROLL”. What happens if payroll files are not updated? After March 20, 2026, payroll files that do not meet the new requirement may result in returned payroll items, and originators may receive a Notice of Change. Understanding the New ACH Payroll Rule Taking Effect March 20, 2026 If your business uses ACH to pay employees, an important rule change is approaching that may affect how payroll transactions are processed. Beginning March 20, 2026, updated Nacha requirements will apply to payroll-related ACH transactions. These changes are intended to help reduce payroll fraud and prevent misdirected payments across the ACH network. This article explains what is changing, how it may apply to First Bank customers, and what steps payroll originators should take to prepare. What Is Changing? Starting March 20, 2026, ACH transactions used to pay wages, salaries, or similar compensation must include “PAYROLL” in the Company Entry Description field. This requirement applies specifically to payroll transactions and does not affect ACH payments for vendors, consumer payments, or other non-payroll activity. Nacha, the organization that governs the ACH network, introduced this change to make payroll entries easier to identify and monitor. This strengthens risk controls and helps financial institutions detect potential fraud more effectively. How This Affects First Bank Customers The impact of this change depends on how payroll ACH transactions are originated. Customers Using First Bank’s Payroll Solutions: If you use First Bank’s Payroll option within online banking, a template, or file upload, no action is required. First Bank will automatically apply the updated Company Entry Description to payroll transactions processed through these tools. Customers Using ACH Pass-Thru: Because ACH Pass-Thru files are generated externally, they will not be automatically updated to meet the new requirement. If this applies to you, contact your payroll provider to confirm that payroll files will include “PAYROLL” in the Company Entry Description field before March 20, 2026. Payroll files that do not meet the new standard may result in returned payroll items.. Unsure How Your Payroll Is Processed? If you are not certain which method you use to originate payroll ACH transactions, Business Support can help confirm your setup and explain how the change applies to your business. Why This Matters for ACH Originators Businesses that originate ACH transactions are responsible for ensuring those transactions are accurate, authorized, and compliant with Nacha rules. Staying informed about rule changes like this one can help reduce the risk of payment disruptions, avoid delays in employee payroll, and support overall ACH compliance. Share This Information with Your Team If payroll is managed by someone else within your organization, such as a payroll processor, accountant, or third-party provider, be sure to share this information so any necessary updates can be made before the March 20 deadline. Need Help? First Bank’s Business Support team is available to answer questions and assist with understanding how this change applies to your account. Phone: 1-866-435-7208 Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
4 min read
Online Money Hacks – First Bank
If you are active on social media, you’ve probably tried a “life hack” at some point. Life hacks are little things you can do to make your life easier. For example, tying a small piece of bright colored fabric to your luggage makes it easier to tell which bag at the airport. Life hacks are great, but do you know what’s even better? Money hacks! Money hacks not only make your life easier, they help you save your hard earned cash. Money Hacks Worth Trying Money hacks can be anything from saving your spare change in a piggy bank to skipping your morning Starbucks run and making coffee at home. Small money hacks will help you save a little bit of money, but if you’re looking to save in a big way, try these money hacks from Forbes and from your very own First Bank. Borrow against your home’s equity. This money hack is specifically for homeowners, but it’s useful to know if you are ever planning on buying a home. If you find yourself needing a personal loan for a large amount of money, it might be better to borrow money against your home’s equity. Since you already have been approved for a mortgage the loan application process will typically be easier. Another benefit is that interest payments on home equity lines of credit are typically tax-deductible, unlike interest paid on personal loans. Consult your tax advisor for details on the deductibility of interest. Pay insurance premiums once a year. You’re probably currently making monthly payments for policies like life insurance and auto insurance, but it isn’t required that you make your payments that way. You can opt to pay your insurance policy in one lump sum, which can save you money in the long run. Paying by the month may be convenient, but insurance companies typically charge a courtesy fee. Fun Tips to Save More Money Try a service contract. Instead of shelling out hundreds of dollars for a car or home repair, offset the costs by considering monthly payments for an auto warranty or home protection plan. Stay cool. Preserve the longevity of your batteries, hosiery, and candles by storing them in your freezer. Raise a glass to
3 min read
7 Songs to Play After Closing on Your New Home
When you finally close on your new home, we recommend loading up your MP3 player (or, if you’re old school, burning a CD or making a mixtape) with these seven songs to kick off your celebration!
2 min read
Find Your Path to Financial Wellness
