ACH Payments Lifecycle

For AI agents: visit https://docs.lithic.com/llms.txt for an index of all pages formatted in Markdown and endpoints in OpenAPI.

This page documents the possible lifecycle permutations of an ACH payment that you can expect to see with code examples. Lithic supports all four types of ACH payments - ACH debit originations, ACH credit originations, ACH credit receipts, and ACH debit receipts. Each type has different lifecycles the payment goes through.

After you learn about the lifecycle of each payment, you can try for yourself by simulating the events in Sandbox

Typically, the type, result, and detailed_results fields within the event object are most important in understanding what has occurred to a given ACH payment.

Possible enum values forevent.type:

ACH_ORIGINATION_INITIATED: Event indicates that the debit or credit origination was initiated via the API
ACH_ORIGINATION_REVIEWED: Event indicates that the debit or credit origination has completed all reviews by Lithic (currently only transaction limits); refer to the event.result field to know whether any of the checks caused a decline
ACH_ORIGINATION_PROCESSED: Event indicates that the ACH network has acknowledged receipt of the debit or credit origination
ACH_ORIGINATION_REJECTED: Event indicates that the ACH network has rejected the payment
ACH_ORIGINATION_SETTLED: Event indicates that Lithic has received or sent the funds from or to the financial institution to which the ACH debit or credit origination was created; timing of this event depends on if the ACH is same day or next day
ACH_ORIGINATION_RELEASED: Event indicates that the hold period has passed, and the funds are now settled and available for use (applies to debit only)
ACH_RETURN_INITIATED: Event indicates that a return was initiated by Lithic
ACH_RETURN_PROCESSED: In the case of an origination, event indicates that a return was received for the ACH debit or credit; in the case of a receipt, event indicates that the Federal Reserve has acknowledged receipt of a return that Lithic generated
ACH_RETURN_REJECTED: In the case of a receipt, event indicates that the ACH network has rejected a return that Lithic generated
ACH_RECEIPT_PROCESSED: Event indicates that an ACH debit or credit receipt was received
ACH_RECEIPT_SETTLED: Event indicates that Lithic has received or sent the funds per the receipt instructions
ACH_RETURN_SETTLED: Event indicates that ACH return has been settled. This is the same event for all payment types

Possible enum values forevent.result:

APPROVED: The event occurred with a successful outcome; note that in the case of a return event, a successful outcome indicates that it occurred as expected
DECLINED: The event occurred with an unsuccessful outcome

Possible enum values fordetailed_results:

FUNDS_INSUFFICIENT: Indicates that in the case of an ACH credit origination, there were insufficient funds in the financial account to complete the payment
ACCOUNT_INVALID: Indicates that one of the accounts from or to which the debit or credit origination was initiated is invalid (currently will only be used if the external bank account is not in a transactable state)
PROGRAM_TRANSACTION_LIMIT_EXCEEDED: Indicates that the ACH debit or credit origination initiated exceeds your program’s configured transaction-level limit
PROGRAM_DAILY_LIMIT_EXCEEDED: Indicates that the ACH debit or credit origination initiated exceeds your program’s configured daily limit
PROGRAM_MONTHLY_LIMIT_EXCEEDED: Indicates that the ACH debit or credit origination initiated exceeds your program’s configured monthly limit

ACH Debit Originations Skip link to ACH Debit Originations

Possibleevent.type sequences:

Note that all ACH debit originations that are returned with reason codes R01 or R09 (see descriptions here) can be retried up to 2 times by calling the Retry Payment endpoint. Additional events are added to the original payment object, beginning with an ACH_ORIGINATION_INITIATED event, and can follow any of the above-described flows.

Sequence 1: Successful payment ("Happy Path") Skip link to Sequence 1: Successful payment ("Happy Path")

A successful ACH debit origination contains five events at the end of its lifecycle: initiated, reviewed, processed, settled, and released. For successful debit originations, you will see the funds appear in the associated financial account after the settled event (with a pending status), then made available after the released event.

JSON

{
  "category": "ACH",
  "status": "SETTLED",
  "result": "APPROVED",
  "method_attributes": {
    "sec_code": "WEB",
    "return_reason_code": null,
    "retries": 0,
    "company_id": null,
    "receipt_routing_number": null
  },
  "financial_account_token": "6127238d-cb85-50bc-86aa-264654a11be9",
  "external_bank_account_token": "07e15e42-0f74-469b-9150-0e2e748d1d7d",
  "direction": "DEBIT",
  "source": "CUSTOMER",
  "method": "ACH_SAME_DAY",
  "token": "6d5a2718-9b79-4473-aa1e-6bbf7433ea6f",
  "type": "ORIGINATION_DEBIT",
  "settled_amount": 10000,
  "pending_amount": 0,
  "currency": "USD",
  "events": [\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_ORIGINATION_INITIATED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T18:16:09Z",\
      "token": "34c5b9d2-2d6a-540b-90fe-fa202b418242"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_ORIGINATION_REVIEWED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T18:17:40Z",\
      "token": "5f6255f8-4016-5e66-aedf-2e3c76027e04"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_ORIGINATION_PROCESSED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T19:17:40Z",\
      "token": "7eec03f2-2fac-4485-bc4b-0526d8bff3ba"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_ORIGINATION_SETTLED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-19T08:30:40Z",\
      "token": "f7d208bc-1227-445d-a7c5-03e7e9cc15f9"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_ORIGINATION_RELEASED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-21T08:30:40Z",\
      "token": "5f1b4d88-c883-4852-ae4a-ad699aa46ec1"\
    }\
  ],
  "descriptor": "Test Technologies",
  "user_defined_id": "1234",
  "created": "2024-04-18T18:16:09Z",
  "updated": "2024-04-19T16:38:22Z"
}

Sequence 2: Unsuccessful payment due to an issue with the accounts involved Skip link to Sequence 2: Unsuccessful payment due to an issue with the accounts involved

While an ACH debit origination can fail at the point of the API request (e.g., the financial_account_token passed in is not a recognized account), it can also fail after the payment object is created. In this case, there will be a single initiated event, with a declined result. This can occur if the external bank account to which the debit origination is being created is not in a valid, transactable state (e.g., it has a state other than ENABLED). The declined initiated event causes the overall payment object result to be declined, indicating that no future events are expected for the payment.

JSON

{
  "category": "ACH",
  "status": "DECLINED",
  "result": "DECLINED",
  "method_attributes": {
    "sec_code": "WEB",
    "return_reason_code": null,
    "retries": 0,
    "company_id": null,
    "receipt_routing_number": null
  },
  "financial_account_token": "6127238d-cb85-50bc-86aa-264654a11be9",
  "external_bank_account_token": "07e15e42-0f74-469b-9150-0e2e748d1d7d",
  "direction": "DEBIT",
  "source": "CUSTOMER",
  "method": "ACH_SAME_DAY",
  "token": "6d5a2718-9b79-4473-aa1e-6bbf7433ea6f",
  "type": "ORIGINATION_DEBIT",
  "settled_amount": 0,
  "pending_amount": 0,
  "currency": "USD",
  "events": [\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_ORIGINATION_INITIATED",\
      "result": "DECLINED",\
      "detailed_results": ["ACCOUNT_INVALID"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T18:16:09Z",\
      "token": "34c5b9d2-2d6a-540b-90fe-fa202b418242"\
    }\
  ],
  "descriptor": "Test Technologies",
  "user_defined_id": "1234",
  "created": "2024-04-18T18:16:09Z",
  "updated": "2024-04-19T16:38:22Z"
}

Sequence 3: Unsuccessful payment due to a failed transaction limit check Skip link to Sequence 3: Unsuccessful payment due to a failed transaction limit check

An ACH debit origination that fails due to a transaction limit check will have two events: an approved initiated event, followed by a declined reviewed event. The reviewed event will contain an explanation in the detailed results array indicating which transaction limit check caused the payment to fail. The declined reviewed event causes the overall payment object result to be declined, indicating that no further events are expected for the payment.

JSON

Sequence 4: Unsuccessful debit origination due to rejection by the ACH network Skip link to Sequence 4: Unsuccessful debit origination due to rejection by the ACH network

An ACH debit origination that fails because it was rejected by the ACH network will have four events: initiated, reviewed, processed, and rejected. The rejected event causes the overall payment object result to be declined and status to be declined, indicating that no further events are expected for the payment.

JSON

{
  "category": "ACH",
  "status": "DECLINED",
  "result": "DECLINED",
  "method_attributes": {
    "sec_code": "WEB",
    "return_reason_code": "R02",
    "retries": 0,
    "company_id": null,
    "receipt_routing_number": null
  },
  "financial_account_token": "6127238d-cb85-50bc-86aa-264654a11be9",
  "external_bank_account_token": "07e15e42-0f74-469b-9150-0e2e748d1d7d",
  "direction": "DEBIT",
  "source": "CUSTOMER",
  "method": "ACH_SAME_DAY",
  "token": "6d5a2718-9b79-4473-aa1e-6bbf7433ea6f",
  "type": "ORIGINATION_DEBIT",
  "settled_amount": 10000,
  "pending_amount": 0,
  "currency": "USD",
  "events": [\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_ORIGINATION_INITIATED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T18:16:09Z",\
      "token": "34c5b9d2-2d6a-540b-90fe-fa202b418242"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_ORIGINATION_REVIEWED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T18:17:40Z",\
      "token": "5f6255f8-4016-5e66-aedf-2e3c76027e04"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_ORIGINATION_PROCESSED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T19:17:40Z",\
      "token": "7eec03f2-2fac-4485-bc4b-0526d8bff3ba"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_ORIGINATION_REJECTED",\
      "result": "DECLINED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T19:30:40Z",\
      "token": "6fd208bc-1227-445d-a7c5-03e7e9cc15f9"\
    }\
  ],
  "descriptor": "Test Technologies",
  "user_defined_id": "1234",
  "created": "2024-04-18T18:16:09Z",
  "updated": "2024-04-19T16:38:22Z"
}

Sequence 5: Unsuccessful debit origination due to a return after the origination was processed Skip link to Sequence 5: Unsuccessful debit origination due to a return after the origination was processed

An ACH debit origination that fails because a return was generated by the receiving financial institution after the payment has been processed but before they have settled will have four events: initiated, reviewed, processed, and returned. The returned event causes the overall payment object result to be declined and status to be returned, indicating that no further events are expected for the payment.

JSON

{
  "category": "ACH",
  "status": "RETURNED",
  "result": "DECLINED",
  "method_attributes": {
    "sec_code": "WEB",
    "return_reason_code": "R02",
    "retries": 0,
    "company_id": null,
    "receipt_routing_number": null
  },
  "financial_account_token": "6127238d-cb85-50bc-86aa-264654a11be9",
  "external_bank_account_token": "07e15e42-0f74-469b-9150-0e2e748d1d7d",
  "direction": "DEBIT",
  "source": "CUSTOMER",
  "method": "ACH_SAME_DAY",
  "token": "6d5a2718-9b79-4473-aa1e-6bbf7433ea6f",
  "type": "ORIGINATION_DEBIT",
  "settled_amount": 10000,
  "pending_amount": 0,
  "currency": "USD",
  "events": [\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_ORIGINATION_INITIATED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T18:16:09Z",\
      "token": "34c5b9d2-2d6a-540b-90fe-fa202b418242"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_ORIGINATION_REVIEWED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T18:17:40Z",\
      "token": "5f6255f8-4016-5e66-aedf-2e3c76027e04"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_ORIGINATION_PROCESSED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T19:17:40Z",\
      "token": "7eec03f2-2fac-4485-bc4b-0526d8bff3ba"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_RETURN_PROCESSED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-19T08:30:40Z",\
      "token": "f7d208bc-1227-445d-a7c5-03e7e9cc15f9"\
    }\
  ],
  "descriptor": "Test Technologies",
  "user_defined_id": "1234",
  "created": "2024-04-18T18:16:09Z",
  "updated": "2024-04-19T16:38:22Z"
}

Sequence 6: Unsuccessful debit origination due to a return after the origination was settled Skip link to Sequence 6: Unsuccessful debit origination due to a return after the origination was settled

An ACH debit origination that fails because a return was generated by the receiving financial institution after the payment has settled will have five events: initiated, reviewed, processed, settled, and returned. The returned event causes the overall payment object result to be declined and status to be returned, indicating that no further events are expected for the payment.

JSON

Sequence 7: Unsuccessful debit origination due to a return after the origination was released Skip link to Sequence 7: Unsuccessful debit origination due to a return after the origination was released

An ACH debit origination that fails because a return was generated by the receiving financial institution after the payment has been released will have six events: initiated, reviewed, processed, settled, released, and returned. The returned event causes the overall payment object result to be declined and status to be returned, indicating that no further events are expected for the payment.

JSON

ACH Debit Origination Balance Impacts Skip link to ACH Debit Origination Balance Impacts

The below table shows if/how balances are impacted per transaction event for debit originations to debit and prepaid accounts. The impacts are reversed for credit accounts.

`event.type`	Pending Balance	Available Balance
`ACH_ORIGINATION_INITIATED`	None	None
`ACH_ORIGINATION_REVIEWED`	None	None
`ACH_ORIGINATION_PROCESSED`	None	None
`ACH_ORIGINATION_SETTLED`	Increased	None
`ACH_ORIGINATION_RELEASED`	Decreased	Increased
`ACH_RETURN_PROCESSED`	All postings rolled back	All postings rolled back
`ACH_ORIGINATION_REJECTED`	All postings rolled back	All postings rolled back

ACH Credit Originations Skip link to ACH Credit Originations

Possibleevent.type sequences:

For credit originations, Lithic will move funds to a pending state immediately; once you receive a settled event, the funds will clear out of pending.

Sequence 1: Successful payment ("Happy Path") Skip link to Sequence 1: Successful payment ("Happy Path")

A successful ACH credit origination contains four events at the end of its lifecycle: initiated, reviewed, processed, and settled.

JSON

{
  "category": "ACH",
  "status": "SETTLED",
  "result": "APPROVED",
  "method_attributes": {
    "sec_code": "WEB",
    "return_reason_code": null,
    "retries": 0,
    "company_id": null,
    "receipt_routing_number": null
  },
  "financial_account_token": "6127238d-cb85-50bc-86aa-264654a11be9",
  "external_bank_account_token": "07e15e42-0f74-469b-9150-0e2e748d1d7d",
  "direction": "CREDIT",
  "source": "CUSTOMER",
  "method": "ACH_SAME_DAY",
  "token": "6d5a2718-9b79-4473-aa1e-6bbf7433ea6f",
  "type": "ORIGINATION_CREDIT",
  "settled_amount": 10000,
  "pending_amount": 0,
  "currency": "USD",
  "events": [\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_ORIGINATION_INITIATED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T18:16:09Z",\
      "token": "34c5b9d2-2d6a-540b-90fe-fa202b418242"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_ORIGINATION_REVIEWED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T18:17:40Z",\
      "token": "5f6255f8-4016-5e66-aedf-2e3c76027e04"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_ORIGINATION_PROCESSED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T19:17:40Z",\
      "token": "7eec03f2-2fac-4485-bc4b-0526d8bff3ba"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_ORIGINATION_SETTLED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-19T08:30:40Z",\
      "token": "f7d208bc-1227-445d-a7c5-03e7e9cc15f9"\
    }\
  ],
  "descriptor": "Test Technologies",
  "user_defined_id": "1234",
  "created": "2024-04-18T18:16:09Z",
  "updated": "2024-04-19T16:38:22Z"
}

Sequence 2: Unsuccessful payment due to an issue with the accounts involved Skip link to Sequence 2: Unsuccessful payment due to an issue with the accounts involved

While an ACH credit origination can fail at the point of the API request (e.g., the financial_account_token passed in is not a recognized account), it can also fail after the payment object is created. In this case, there will be a single initiated event, with a declined result. This can occur if the external bank account to which the credit origination is being created is not in a valid, transactable state (e.g., it has a state other than ENABLED). The declined initiated event causes the overall payment object result to be declined, indicating that no future events are expected for the payment.

JSON

{
  "category": "ACH",
  "status": "DECLINED",
  "result": "DECLINED",
  "method_attributes": {
    "sec_code": "WEB",
    "return_reason_code": null,
    "retries": 0,
    "company_id": null,
    "receipt_routing_number": null
  },
  "financial_account_token": "6127238d-cb85-50bc-86aa-264654a11be9",
  "external_bank_account_token": "07e15e42-0f74-469b-9150-0e2e748d1d7d",
  "direction": "CREDIT",
  "source": "CUSTOMER",
  "method": "ACH_SAME_DAY",
  "token": "6d5a2718-9b79-4473-aa1e-6bbf7433ea6f",
  "type": "ORIGINATION_CREDIT",
  "settled_amount": 0,
  "pending_amount": 0,
  "currency": "USD",
  "events": [\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_ORIGINATION_INITIATED",\
      "result": "DECLINED",\
      "detailed_results": ["ACCOUNT_INVALID"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T18:16:09Z",\
      "token": "34c5b9d2-2d6a-540b-90fe-fa202b418242"\
    }\
  ],
  "descriptor": "Test Technologies",
  "user_defined_id": "1234",
  "created": "2024-04-18T18:16:09Z",
  "updated": "2024-04-19T16:38:22Z"
}

Sequence 3: Unsuccessful payment due to a failed transaction limit check Skip link to Sequence 3: Unsuccessful payment due to a failed transaction limit check

An ACH credit origination that fails due to a transaction limit check will have two events: an approved initiated event, followed by a declined reviewed event. The reviewed event will contain an explanation in the detailed results array indicating which transaction limit check caused the payment to fail. The declined reviewed event causes the overall payment object result to be declined, indicating that no further events are expected for the payment.

JSON

Sequence 4: Unsuccessful credit origination due to rejection by the ACH network Skip link to Sequence 4: Unsuccessful credit origination due to rejection by the ACH network

JSON

{
  "category": "ACH",
  "status": "RETURNED",
  "result": "DECLINED",
  "method_attributes": {
    "sec_code": "WEB",
    "return_reason_code": "R02",
    "retries": 0,
    "company_id": null,
    "receipt_routing_number": null
  },
  "financial_account_token": "6127238d-cb85-50bc-86aa-264654a11be9",
  "external_bank_account_token": "07e15e42-0f74-469b-9150-0e2e748d1d7d",
  "direction": "CREDIT",
  "source": "CUSTOMER",
  "method": "ACH_SAME_DAY",
  "token": "6d5a2718-9b79-4473-aa1e-6bbf7433ea6f",
  "type": "ORIGINATION_CREDIT",
  "settled_amount": 10000,
  "pending_amount": 0,
  "currency": "USD",
  "events": [\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_ORIGINATION_INITIATED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T18:16:09Z",\
      "token": "34c5b9d2-2d6a-540b-90fe-fa202b418242"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_ORIGINATION_REVIEWED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T18:17:40Z",\
      "token": "5f6255f8-4016-5e66-aedf-2e3c76027e04"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_ORIGINATION_PROCESSED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T19:17:40Z",\
      "token": "7eec03f2-2fac-4485-bc4b-0526d8bff3ba"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_ORIGINATION_REJECTED",\
      "result": "DECLINED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T19:30:40Z",\
      "token": "6fd208bc-1227-445d-a7c5-03e7e9cc15f9"\
    }\
  ],
  "descriptor": "Test Technologies",
  "user_defined_id": "1234",
  "created": "2024-04-18T18:16:09Z",
  "updated": "2024-04-19T16:38:22Z"
}

Sequence 5: Unsuccessful payment due to a return after the origination was processed Skip link to Sequence 5: Unsuccessful payment due to a return after the origination was processed

An ACH credit origination that fails because a return was generated by the receiving financial institution after the payment has been processed but before they have settled will have four events: initiated, reviewed, processed, and returned. The returned event causes the overall payment object result to be declined and status to be returned, indicating that no further events are expected for the payment.

JSON

Sequence 6: Unsuccessful payment due to a return after the origination was settled Skip link to Sequence 6: Unsuccessful payment due to a return after the origination was settled

An ACH credit origination that fails because a return was generated by the receiving financial institution after the payment has settled will have five events: initiated, reviewed, processed, settled, and returned. The returned event causes the overall payment object result to be declined and status to be returned, indicating that no further events are expected for the payment.

JSON

{
  "category": "ACH",
  "status": "RETURNED",
  "result": "DECLINED",
  "method_attributes": {
    "sec_code": "WEB",
    "return_reason_code": null,
    "retries": 0,
    "company_id": null,
    "receipt_routing_number": null
  },
  "financial_account_token": "6127238d-cb85-50bc-86aa-264654a11be9",
  "external_bank_account_token": "07e15e42-0f74-469b-9150-0e2e748d1d7d",
  "direction": "CREDIT",
  "source": "CUSTOMER",
  "method": "ACH_SAME_DAY",
  "token": "6d5a2718-9b79-4473-aa1e-6bbf7433ea6f",
  "type": "ORIGINATION_CREDIT",
  "settled_amount": 10000,
  "pending_amount": 0,
  "currency": "USD",
  "events": [\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_ORIGINATION_INITIATED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T18:16:09Z",\
      "token": "34c5b9d2-2d6a-540b-90fe-fa202b418242"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_ORIGINATION_REVIEWED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T18:17:40Z",\
      "token": "5f6255f8-4016-5e66-aedf-2e3c76027e04"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_ORIGINATION_PROCESSED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T19:17:40Z",\
      "token": "7eec03f2-2fac-4485-bc4b-0526d8bff3ba"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_ORIGINATION_SETTLED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-19T08:30:40Z",\
      "token": "f7d208bc-1227-445d-a7c5-03e7e9cc15f9"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_RETURN_PROCESSED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-19T08:30:40Z",\
      "token": "f7d208bc-1227-445d-a7c5-03e7e9cc15f9"\
    }\
  ],
  "descriptor": "Test Technologies",
  "user_defined_id": "1234",
  "created": "2024-04-18T18:16:09Z",
  "updated": "2024-04-19T16:38:22Z"
}

ACH Credit Origination Balance Impacts Skip link to ACH Credit Origination Balance Impacts

The below table shows if/how balances are impacted per transaction event for credit originations to prepaid accounts. The impacts are reversed for credit accounts.

`event.type`	Pending Balance	Available Balance
`ACH_ORIGINATION_INITIATED`	Increased	Decreased
`ACH_ORIGINATION_REVIEWED`	None	None
`ACH_ORIGINATION_PROCESSED`	None	None
`ACH_ORIGINATION_SETTLED`	Decreased	None
`ACH_RETURN_PROCESSED`	All postings rolled back	All postings rolled back
`ACH_ORIGINATION_REJECTED`	All postings rolled back	All postings rolled back

ACH Credit Receipts Skip link to ACH Credit Receipts

Possibleevent.type sequences:

For credit receipts, you will see the funds appear in the associated financial account after the settled event.

Sequence 1: Successful payment ("Happy Path") Skip link to Sequence 1: Successful payment ("Happy Path")

While Lithic may receive ACH credit receipts for invalid account numbers and issue returns, those payments will not be attributed to any particular client's program, and so you will not be notified when those incidents occur. A successful ACH credit receipt contains two events at the end of its lifecycle: processed and settled.

JSON

{
  "category": "ACH",
  "status": "SETTLED",
  "result": "APPROVED",
  "method_attributes": {
    "sec_code": "WEB",
    "return_reason_code": null,
    "retries": 0,
    "company_id": null,
    "receipt_routing_number": null
  },
  "financial_account_token": "6127238d-cb85-50bc-86aa-264654a11be9",
  "external_bank_account_token": "07e15e42-0f74-469b-9150-0e2e748d1d7d",
  "direction": "DEBIT",
  "source": "CUSTOMER",
  "method": "ACH_SAME_DAY",
  "token": "6d5a2718-9b79-4473-aa1e-6bbf7433ea6f",
  "type": "RECEIPT_CREDIT",
  "settled_amount": 10000,
  "pending_amount": 0,
  "currency": "USD",
  "events": [\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_RECEIPT_PROCESSED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T18:16:09Z",\
      "token": "34c5b9d2-2d6a-540b-90fe-fa202b418242"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_RECEIPT_SETTLED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T18:17:40Z",\
      "token": "5f6255f8-4016-5e66-aedf-2e3c76027e04"\
    }\
  ],
  "descriptor": "Test Technologies",
  "user_defined_id": "1234",
  "created": "2024-04-18T18:16:09Z",
  "updated": "2024-04-19T16:38:22Z"
}

Sequence 2: Successful payment which is then returned Skip link to Sequence 2: Successful payment which is then returned

If after a successful ACH Credit Receipt, you request to return the funds within the NACHA approved time frame, Lithic will proceed with the following sequence of events:

JSON

{
  "category": "ACH",
  "status": "RETURNED",
  "result": "DECLINED",
  "method_attributes": {
    "sec_code": "WEB",
    "return_reason_code": null,
    "retries": 0,
    "company_id": "8264681992",
    "receipt_routing_number": "101019644",
    "trace_numbers": ["091000018872131", "101019642618045"],
    "addenda": null
  },
  "financial_account_token": "ffeac2b3-2016-5781-b865-4165adce20a6",
  "external_bank_account_token": null,
  "direction": "DEBIT",
  "source": "LITHIC",
  "method": "ACH_NEXT_DAY",
  "token": "6adfbb26-4bdf-59fa-bad8-3b8bbf6382de",
  "type": "RECEIPT_CREDIT",
  "settled_amount": 0,
  "pending_amount": 0,
  "currency": "USD",
  "events": [\
    {\
      "amount": -18,\
      "type": "ACH_RECEIPT_PROCESSED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "created": "2025-07-15T20:20:41Z",\
      "token": "109aaf2c-2c21-58b1-bd21-611c9dddbc28",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"]\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": -18,\
      "type": "ACH_RECEIPT_SETTLED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "created": "2025-07-15T20:20:49Z",\
      "token": "b7f87b47-6550-5336-bee2-f63ea67010fd",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"]\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 18,\
      "type": "ACH_RETURN_INITIATED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "created": "2025-07-15T20:20:52Z",\
      "token": "f0913821-cd59-5bc3-95fd-59317182f835",\
      "detailed_results": ["DECLINED"]\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 18,\
      "type": "ACH_RETURN_PROCESSED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "created": "2025-07-15T22:20:57Z",\
      "token": "513ca04f-adde-50e3-9375-d401bc8ff297",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"]\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": -18,\
      "type": "ACH_RETURN_SETTLED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "created": "2025-07-16T12:33:32Z",\
      "token": "6126ac66-e28b-5b85-b38a-695cf6657786",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"]\
    }\
  ],
  "descriptor": "ACCTVERIFY",
  "user_defined_id": null,
  "created": "2025-07-15T20:20:41Z",
  "updated": "2025-07-23T16:38:25Z",
  "expected_release_date": null
}

Sequence 3: Successful payment which is unsuccessfully returned Skip link to Sequence 3: Successful payment which is unsuccessfully returned

If after a successful ACH Credit Receipt, you request to return the funds within the NACHA approved time frame, but the return cannot be processed, Lithic will proceed with the following sequence of events:

JSON

ACH Credit Receipts Balance Impacts Skip link to ACH Credit Receipts Balance Impacts

The below table shows if/how balances are impacted per transaction event for credit receipts to debit and prepaid accounts. The impacts are reversed for credit accounts.

`event.type`	Pending Balance	Available Balance
`ACH_RECEIPT_PROCESSED`	None	None
`ACH_RECEIPT_SETTLED`	Increased	None
`ACH_RECEIPT_RELEASED`	Decreased	Increased
`ACH_RETURN_INITIATED`	Increased	Decreased
`ACH_RETURN_PROCESSED`	None	None
`ACH_RETURN_SETTLED`	Decreased	None
`ACH_RETURN_REJECTED`	Postings rolled back to `ACH_RECEIPT_RELEASED`	Postings rolled back to `ACH_RECEIPT_RELEASED`

ACH Debit Receipts Skip link to ACH Debit Receipts

Possibleevent.type sequences:

Note that ACH_RECEIPT_SETTLED and ACH_RETURN_PROCESSED events are asynchronous - it is possible these events happen in alternate order.

Sequence 1: Successful payment Skip link to Sequence 1: Successful payment

A successful ACH Debit Receipt where funds are pulled out of the account contains just two events: processed and settled.

JSON

{
    "category": "ACH",
    "status": "SETTLED",
    "result": "APPROVED",
    "method_attributes": {
        "sec_code": "WEB",
        "return_reason_code": null,
        "retries": 0,
        "company_id": null,
        "receipt_routing_number": null
    },
    "financial_account_token": "6127238d-cb85-50bc-86aa-264654a11be9",
    "external_bank_account_token": null,
    "direction": "CREDIT",
    "source": "LITHIC",
    "method": "ACH_SAME_DAY",
    "token": "6d5a2718-9b79-4473-aa1e-6bbf7433ea6f",
    "type": "RECEIPT_DEBIT",
    "settled_amount": 10000,
    "pending_amount": 0,
    "currency": "USD",
    "events": [\
        {\
            "amount": 10000,\
            "type": "ACH_RECEIPT_PROCESSED",\
            "result": "APPROVED",\
            "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
            "created": "2024-04-18T18:16:09Z",\
            "token": "34c5b9d2-2d6a-540b-90fe-fa202b418242"\
        },\
        {\
            "amount": 10000,\
            "type": "ACH_RECEIPT_SETTLED",\
            "result": "APPROVED",\
            "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
            "created": "2024-04-18T18:17:40Z",\
            "token": "5f6255f8-4016-5e66-aedf-2e3c76027e04"\
        },\
    "descriptor": "Test Technologies",\
    "user_defined_id": "1234",\
    "created": "2024-04-18T18:16:09Z",\
    "updated": "2024-04-19T16:38:22Z"\
}\
```\
\
## Sequence 2: Unsuccessful payment with immediate return   [Skip link to Sequence 2: Unsuccessful payment with immediate return](https://docs.lithic.com/docs/ach-payments-lifecycle\#sequence-2-unsuccessful-payment-with-immediate-return)\
\
If your account is not set up for/authorized to receive the inbound debit, we will immediate return the payment in order to "pull" the funds right back.\
\
JSON\
\
```json\
{\
  "category": "ACH",\
  "status": "SETTLED",\
  "result": "APPROVED",\
  "method_attributes": {\
    "sec_code": "WEB",\
    "return_reason_code": null,\
    "retries": 0,\
    "company_id": null,\
    "receipt_routing_number": null\
  },\
  "financial_account_token": "6127238d-cb85-50bc-86aa-264654a11be9",\
  "external_bank_account_token": null,\
  "direction": "CREDIT",\
  "source": "LITHIC",\
  "method": "ACH_SAME_DAY",\
  "token": "6d5a2718-9b79-4473-aa1e-6bbf7433ea6f",\
  "type": "RECEIPT_DEBIT",\
  "settled_amount": 10000,\
  "pending_amount": 0,\
  "currency": "USD",\
  "events": [\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_RECEIPT_PROCESSED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T18:16:09Z",\
      "token": "34c5b9d2-2d6a-540b-90fe-fa202b418242"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_RETURN_INITIATED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T18:17:40Z",\
      "token": "5f6255f8-4016-5e66-aedf-2e3c76027e04"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_RETURN_PROCESSED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T18:17:40Z",\
      "token": "5f6255f8-4016-5e66-aedf-2e3c76027e04"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_RECEIPT_SETTLED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T18:17:40Z",\
      "token": "5f6255f8-4016-5e66-aedf-2e3c76027e04"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_RETURN_SETTLED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T19:17:40Z",\
      "token": "b7a6bacd-de6f-4c00-a900-74db7a765c49"\
    }\
  ],\
  "descriptor": "Test Technologies",\
  "user_defined_id": "1234",\
  "created": "2024-04-18T18:16:09Z",\
  "updated": "2024-04-19T16:38:22Z"\
}\
```\
\
## Sequence 3: Successful payment which is later returned   [Skip link to Sequence 3: Successful payment which is later returned](https://docs.lithic.com/docs/ach-payments-lifecycle\#sequence-3-successful-payment-which-is-later-returned)\
\
If after a successful ACH Debit Receipt, you request a return within the NACHA approved time frame, Lithic will proceed with the following sequence of events:\
\
JSON\
\
```json\
{\
  "category": "ACH",\
  "status": "SETTLED",\
  "result": "APPROVED",\
  "method_attributes": {\
    "sec_code": "WEB",\
    "return_reason_code": null,\
    "retries": 0,\
    "company_id": null,\
    "receipt_routing_number": null\
  },\
  "financial_account_token": "6127238d-cb85-50bc-86aa-264654a11be9",\
  "external_bank_account_token": null,\
  "direction": "CREDIT",\
  "source": "LITHIC",\
  "method": "ACH_SAME_DAY",\
  "token": "6d5a2718-9b79-4473-aa1e-6bbf7433ea6f",\
  "type": "RECEIPT_DEBIT",\
  "settled_amount": 10000,\
  "pending_amount": 0,\
  "currency": "USD",\
  "events": [\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_RECEIPT_PROCESSED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T18:16:09Z",\
      "token": "34c5b9d2-2d6a-540b-90fe-fa202b418242"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_RECEIPT_SETTLED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T18:17:40Z",\
      "token": "5f6255f8-4016-5e66-aedf-2e3c76027e04"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_RETURN_INITIATED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T18:17:40Z",\
      "token": "5f6255f8-4016-5e66-aedf-2e3c76027e04"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_RETURN_PROCESSED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T18:17:40Z",\
      "token": "5f6255f8-4016-5e66-aedf-2e3c76027e04"\
    },\
    {\
      "amount": 10000,\
      "type": "ACH_RETURN_SETTLED",\
      "result": "APPROVED",\
      "detailed_results": ["APPROVED"],\
      "created": "2024-04-18T19:17:40Z",\
      "token": "b7a6bacd-de6f-4c00-a900-74db7a765c49"\
    }\
  ],\
  "descriptor": "Test Technologies",\
  "user_defined_id": "1234",\
  "created": "2024-04-18T18:16:09Z",\
  "updated": "2024-04-19T16:38:22Z"\
}\
```\
\
## ACH Debit Receipts Balance Impacts   [Skip link to ACH Debit Receipts Balance Impacts](https://docs.lithic.com/docs/ach-payments-lifecycle\#ach-debit-receipts-balance-impacts)\
\
The below table shows if/how balances are impacted per transaction event for debit receipts to **debit** and **prepaid** accounts. The impacts are reversed for **credit** accounts.\
\
| `event.type` | Pending Balance | Available Balance |\
| --- | --- | --- |\
| `ACH_RECEIPT_PROCESSED` | Increased | Decreased |\
| `ACH_RECEIPT_SETTLED` | Decreased | None |\
| `ACH_RETURN_INITIATED` | None | None |\
| `ACH_RETURN_PROCESSED` | None | None |\
| `ACH_RETURN_SETTLED` | None | Increased |\
\
Updated4 months ago\
\
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