If you're using ACH (bank transfer) through Curate Payments, you may be wondering how long it takes for funds to fully process. Below is an overview of what you can expect.
Note: The very first ACH Payment after setup typically takes 7 business days to complete.
How Long Do ACH Payments Take?
ACH payments typically take 4–7 business days to fully process.
Based on recent internal data across multiple Curate accounts:
4 business days – 5% of payments
5 business days – 7.5% of payments
6 business days – 72.5% of payments
7 business days – 15% of payments
The majority of ACH payments (over 70%) complete within 6 business days.
We did not observe successful ACH payments processing in fewer than 4 business days or taking longer than 7 business days in our sample data.
What Happens If an ACH Payment Fails?
If an ACH payment is declined (for example, due to insufficient funds or incorrect account details), it is typically returned within 2 business days of the payment being initiated.
You’ll be notified within Curate if a payment fails so you can follow up with your client promptly.
Why Does ACH Take Longer Than Credit Cards?
Unlike credit card transactions, ACH payments move directly between bank accounts and must go through standard banking verification and settlement processes. This added security and verification time is what results in longer processing windows.
Important Notes
Processing times refer to business days (Monday–Friday, excluding bank holidays).
Weekends and federal holidays can extend the timeline.
Funds are considered fully processed once they have completed the ACH settlement period.
If you have questions about a specific payment, please reach out to our support team and we’re happy to help.