ACH Pending | ACH entry in progress
This status indicates an ACH entry has been initiated and is awaiting completion through processing, posting, or settlement stages.
What This Code Means
“ACH Pending” is a processing status indicating that an ACH transaction has been accepted for processing but has not reached a final completed or returned state. ACH processing often runs in batches and can involve multiple stages, including submission, network transmission, RDFI posting, and reconciliation updates. A pending state typically means the system is waiting for a downstream acknowledgment or posting event. This is not inherently an error; it is an intermediate state. It does not guarantee completion and does not indicate that the entry has been returned.
Where Users Usually See This Code
- Bank or payment app transfer history showing ACH entries in progress
- Processor dashboards where ACH items are queued for settlement
- Back-office reconciliation views tracking ACH batch statuses
Why This Code Appears
- The ACH entry is in a batch processing window
- Downstream posting acknowledgment is not yet received
- Reconciliation files are pending for final status updates
- Processing delays occurred due to timing, cutoffs, or system load
What Typically Happens Next
- Status changes to completed/posted, returned, or reversed depending on outcome
- Funds may be held or reserved based on platform policies while pending
- Notifications may be generated when the entry reaches a terminal state
What This Code Is Not
- It is not proof of successful settlement
- It is not the same as “ACH Returned”
- It is not confirmation that a reversal has occurred
Troubleshooting Checklist
- □ Monitor the transaction record for a terminal status update
- □ Check whether the platform provides expected processing time windows for ACH activity
- □ Avoid initiating duplicate entries while the original remains pending unless clearly marked failed
- □ If pending persists unusually long, contact official support for confirmation of processing state
Notes And Edge Cases
Pending durations depend on processing calendars, cutoff times, and the specific ACH flow used. Some systems display “pending” immediately upon initiation even before network submission, while others show it only after submission. A pending entry can move to returned status after processing if the RDFI rejects it. The most reliable indication of completion is the final posting status shown in official transaction records.
Related Codes
- R01 CodeInsufficient funds
- R03 CodeNo account/unable to locate
- ACH Returned CodeACH entry returned
- ACH Reversed CodeACH entry reversed/adjusted
- Account restricted CodeAccount permissions limited
- Transfer pending CodeTransfer awaiting completion
- Settlement Failed CodeSettlement did not complete
- R11 CodeCheck truncation entry returned