Fastest Payments

Fastest Real-Time Payment Rails: FedNow®, RTP®, FedWire®, and Same-Day ACH

The Race for Real-Time Payments Has Already Begun

In the fast-paced world of digital commerce, speed isn't a luxury—it's a necessity. Whether you're a small business owner, enterprise CFO, or fintech innovator, the need for Real-time Payments is crystal clear. Enter the four fastest horses in the financial relay: FedNow®, RTP®, FedWire®, and Same-Day ACH. Each offers instant or near-instant transaction capabilities, but the real power lies in how you deploy them—especially with support for Request for Payment (RfP), batch uploads, and seamless A2A (Account-to-Account) credit and debit functionality.

From single-click credits to recurring batch uploads, today’s top payment networks are designed to move funds instantly with rich data, transparency, and compliance.

💡 Real-Time Payment Rail Comparison Table

Feature / Network	FedNow®	RTP® (Real-Time Payments)	Same-Day ACH	FedWire®
Settlement Speed	Real-time (24/7/365)	Real-time (24/7/365)	Same-day (business hours only)	Real-time (Mon–Fri, business hours)
Availability	24/7/365	24/7/365	Weekdays only, cutoff times apply	Weekdays only, Fed operating hours
Transaction Type	Credit push only	Credit push only	Credit and debit	Credit push only
Request for Payment (RfP)	✅ Supported	✅ Supported	✅ Supported	❌ Not supported
Batch Processing	✅ Supported	✅ Supported	✅ Supported	❌ Typically single transactions
Network Operator	Federal Reserve	The Clearing House	NACHA (ACH network)	Federal Reserve
Use Case	B2B, C2B, P2P, bill pay, RfP	B2B, C2B, P2P, RfP	Payroll, vendor pay, recurring billing	Large-value wire transfers
Limit Per Transaction	$1,000,000 (as of 2025)	$10,000,000 (or bank-specific limits)	$1,000,000 (ACH limits)	No limit (bank policies apply)
Messaging Format	ISO 20022	ISO 20022	NACHA	Proprietary format (SWIFT-like)
Real-Time Confirmation	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ No (batch confirmation)	✅ Yes
Bank Participation	Growing rapidly among U.S. FIs Desire 100%	Available in 300+ banks and credit unions Desire 100%	Broad coverage (all banks)	All Fed-participating banks
Cost (to FIs)	Low per-transaction fee	Low per-transaction fee	Low batch fees	Higher wire fees

✅ Summary Highlights:

• FedNow® and RTP® are true real-time networks ideal for RfP, mobile, and recurring payments.
• Same-Day ACH is best for same-day batches, payroll, or lower-cost recurring payments.
• FedWire® is ideal for high-value transfers that require immediate settlement between institutions.

Would you like a downloadable version (Excel or PDF), or a styled HTML block for embedding this into your website (like TodayPayments.com)?

 

These rails aren't just about speed. They're about control, security, and automation, all powered through modern file formats like .XML, .JSON, .XLSX, and real-time mobile interfaces.

Creation Request for Payment Bank File

Enhance Your Fastest Payments Payment Requests with FedNow’s ISO 20022 Messaging

Streamline Payments with Advanced Request for Payment Options:

Harness the power of FedNow's Request for Payment system to transform how you manage invoices and remittances. Our platform supports diverse data integration options, allowing payees to incorporate detailed invoice data directly within the RfP message or link to a comprehensive Merchant Page.

Flexible Invoice Details with ISO 20022 Messaging:

Leverage the flexibility of ISO 20022 messaging standards in our RfP system. You can choose to display crucial payment details directly in the message with a concise 140-character description, or through a dynamic "Hyper-Link" leading to a detailed Merchant Page. This Merchant Page can be hosted either on your website or TodayPayments.com/HostedPaymentPage.html through our seamless integration solution.

Customizable Merchant Pages for Enhanced Customer Experience:

Create a Merchant Page that not only details all the MIDs you own but also presents these options attractively to your customers through the RfP. This customization ensures that whether your payer opts for Real-Time Payment, Same-Day ACH, or Card transactions, they can easily navigate and complete their payments through a simple click on the hyperlink provided on your Merchant Page.

Call us today and receive the .csv or .xml FedNow® or Request for Payment (RfP) file you need—all during your very first phone call! We guarantee that our comprehensive reports integrate flawlessly with your bank or credit union. As pioneers in recognizing the benefits of RequestForPayment.com, we have stayed years ahead of our competitors. Although we are not a bank, our role as an "Accounting System" within the Open Banking ecosystem enables us to work with billers to create effective RfP files that seamlessly upload to the biller's online banking platform. U.S. companies rely on our expertise to learn how to deliver the RfP message directly to their bank with precision.

Our advanced solution, Today Payments' ISO 20022 Payment Initiation (PAIN.013), demonstrates how to create a Real-Time Payments Request for Payment file that sends a clear message from the creditor (payee) to its bank. Most financial institutions support the import of messaging and batch files for both FedNow® and Real-Time Payments (RtP), ensuring smooth processing. Once the file is correctly uploaded, the creditor’s bank processes the payment through a secure "Payment Hub"—with The Clearing House serving as the RtP Hub—and relays the message to the debtor's (payer's) bank. This streamlined approach not only accelerates transaction processing but also enhances transparency and reliability for all parties involved.

... easily create Instant Payments RfP files. No risk. Test with your bank and delete "test" files before APPROVAL on your Bank's Online Payments Platform. Today Payments is a leader in the evolution of immediate payments. We were years ahead of competitors recognizing the benefits of

Same-Day ACH and Real-Time Payments funding. Our business clients receive faster availability of funds on deposited items and instant notification of items presented for deposit all based on real-time activity. Dedicated to providing superior customer service and industry-leading technology.