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NACHA and Regional Payments Associations Acknowledge Role and Contributions of Accredited ACH Professionals (AAP) With National Recognition Day

Nationwide Celebration to be Held February 10, 2009

HERNDON, Va. - NACHA - The Electronic Payments Association, in conjunction with the nation's Regional Payments Associations, today announced their sponsorship of National Accredited ACH Professional (AAP) Recognition Day. National AAP Recognition Day, celebrated this year on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 and annually the second Tuesday of February, will acknowledge more than 3,550 AAPs nationwide, celebrating their significant contributions to their organizations and the ACH Network.

"We congratulate AAPs for their achievements and recognize their contribution in helping us maintain a safe, secure, and efficient ACH Network," says Jan Estep, NACHA's president and CEO. "We are asking senior management at organizations with one or more AAPs on staff to publicly acknowledge the accomplishments of these individuals and the benefits they bring to their organizations."

The benefits realized by organizations with AAP-credentialed staff on board are significant. The AAP designation puts an organization at the forefront of the information chain regarding changes and updates to the NACHA Operating Rules and federal and state payments industry regulations. Organizations with AAP-credentialed professionals on staff benefit in other ways as well: operational efficiencies and cost savings, risk management, rules and regulatory compliance, and customer service and satisfaction.

NACHA and the Regional Payments Associations will honor individuals with the AAP designation across the nation with a gift and letter of acknowledgement. To help financial institutions and businesses recognize staff with the AAP credential, NACHA and the Regional Payments Associations have created a free media kit that includes a news release and article for use in an organization's newsletter and on their Web site. Organizations also have an opportunity to purchase an "AAP Party-in-a-Box," which includes party supplies, from their Regional Payments Association. For more information, contact your Regional Payments Association.

Regional Payments Associations this year to launch the initiative nationwide. There are 19 Regional Payments Associations, which provide businesses and financial institutions around the country with ACH information, resources, and training. To retain their status, AAPs are required to earn 60 continuing education credits within the five-year accreditation period, with no more than 20 credits earned in any one year.

To learn more about the AAP credential and the benefits it offers, resources and training opportunities available in your region, or to order an "AAP Party-in-a-Box," contact your Regional Payments Association. A list of Regional Payments Associations with links to their respective Web sites is available at http://www.electronicpayments.org/financial/fi.about.associations.php. To download a free AAP Recognition Media Kit, visit NACHA's Web site at http://www.nacha.org/aap/default.htm.

NACHA-The Electronic Payments Association
NACHA-The Electronic Payments Association is a not-for-profit association that oversees the Automated Clearing House (ACH) Network, one of the largest electronic payment networks in the world.

More than 18 billion ACH payments were exchanged in 2007. NACHA is responsible for the administration, development, and enforcement of the NACHA Operating Rules and sound risk management practices for the ACH Network. Through its industry councils and forums, NACHA brings together hundreds of diverse payments system stakeholder organizations to enable the development of new network services and applications. NACHA represents more than 11,000 financial institutions through direct membership and 19 Regional Payments Associations. NACHA and its members provide education, tools, and resources to increase the adoption of ACH payments to benefit businesses, consumers, and governments. To learn more, visit www.nacha.org and www.electronicpayments.org