Blogs

Meet Lisa Lihs, Manager, Member Support

By Hoot-E
We are thrilled to be welcoming Lisa Lihs, AAP to the EPCOR family as our new Manager, Member Support. Lisa lives in Donnellson, Iowa, a small town of about 900 people where Iowa, Missouri and Illinois meet. In addition to her AAP, which she earned in 2024, Lisa holds an Associate of Arts degree from Southeastern Community College. She also has more than eight years of experience in banking operations and customer service. Before joining the banking industry, she worked in insurance services. “I’ve always worked in office settings, and my career has really centered around helping people, whether that was through insurance, banking or now supporting ...
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The Rising Threat of Deepfake Scams

By Brandie Thacker
Deepfake technology, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), is rapidly evolving, presenting a significant and growing threat to financial institutions and their clients. These sophisticated techniques can create highly realistic fake videos, audio recordings and images, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between genuine and fraudulent communications. This has led to a surge in deepfake scams targeting financial institutions, businesses and individuals, resulting in substantial financial losses and erosion of trust. The Mechanics of Deepfake Fraud Deepfake scams often involve manipulating existing media or creating entirely new ...
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Welcoming Brosie Strada: EPCOR’s Newest Board Member

By Hoot-E
We are proud and excited to welcome Brosie Strada to our Board of Directors. Brosie is a seasoned payments leader and Senior Vice President at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. With deep operational experience, a passion for innovation and a commitment to strengthening the financial services ecosystem, Brosie brings a thoughtful, strategic perspective to our Board. A Career Built on Curiosity and Collaboration Brosie is a Senior Vice President at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, with leadership responsibility for Bank Operations, including law enforcement, cash services and facilities management. He shared, ...
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Risky Business? Not with the Right Reports!

By Deanna Jewell
ACH, wire transfers and Remote Deposit Capture (RDC) are essential services financial institutions offer for businesses and consumers. Both your organization’s Board of Directors and management are responsible for ensuring that these products and services do not expose your financial institution to excessive risk. Regulatory agencies like the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and the Federal Reserve emphasize the importance of board-level oversight for these payment channels. While ACH, wire transfers and RDC are specifically addressed in current ...
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Congratulations to the EPCOR Members and Staff Among the Inaugural Class of AFPPs!

By Hoot-E
We are thrilled to congratulate the 35 hardworking and dedicated EPCOR members and staff who successfully passed the inaugural Accredited Faster Payment Professional (AFPP) exam! We are also thrilled to say that passers from the EPCOR family make up over 20% of the overall inaugural class of 161 AFPPS nationwide. We are proud to be part of this exciting chapter in the payments industry and support such a significant portion of the nation’s very first certified experts in faster payments. Congratulations to the following: Gail Andress, AAP, AFPP of GE Employees Federal Credit Union Melissa Asher, AAP, AFPP of EPCOR Jeremy ...
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Federal Government Benefit Payments: Uncle Sam is Going Digital

By Shelly Sipple
On March 25, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order to phase out paper checks for all disbursements, including benefits, tax refunds and vendor payments, by September 30, 2025. The Executive Order is intended to reduce government costs and security risks inherent with paper-based payments. Because of this mandate, recipients of benefits such as Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) who currently receive checks are required to enroll for direct deposit of these benefits. Financial institutions can play a role in assisting these recipients with the enrollment process. According to Chapter 1 of the Green Book on Enrollment for ...
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Ask Hoot-E: ACH Dispute and No WSUD

By Hoot-E
Special thanks to @Emily Nelson , AAP, AFPP, APRP, NCP, Senior Manager, Payments Education for helping me write this blog! What should an RDFI do when a consumer account holder disputes an ACH transaction but is unable to, or refuses to, sign a Written Statement of Unauthorized Debit (WSUD)? To answer this, an RDFI must first understand how the ACH Rules and Regulation E work together in handling consumer disputes. The ACH Rules address an RDFI’s responsibilities associated with processing ...
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Effective June 16, 2025: New RTP® Operating Rules for "On Behalf Of" (OBO) Payments

By Sharon Hallmark
The Clearing House (TCH) has introduced a new framework for all OBO payments, which are defined as RTP ® , where a sender initiates the payment on behalf of a different person. These updated rules will supersede the previous requirements, specifically for Payment Service Providers (PSPs) and establish a unified approach for all OBO transactions. Key Changes to Note: New OBO Framework for All: The distinction between PSPs and other entities initiating OBO payments is being removed. All participants sending payments on behalf of another party will now operate under the same set of Rules. Payment Transparency Obligations: ...
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FBI Releases 2024 FBI IC3 Annual Report: Fraud Trends to Watch

By Trevor Witchey
On Wednesday, April 23, the FBI released its annual Internet Crime Report based on filings sent through its Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) . Here are some trends that financial institutions should be aware of: While compliant numbers were down during 2024, the dollar amount lost was much higher compared to 2023. Total financial losses were $12.5 billion during 2023 versus $16.6 billion during 2024 (a $4.1 billion increase). Losses surrounding cryptocurrency were $9.3 billion for 2024 versus $5.6 billion during 2023. Crypto is associated with multiple crime types. Thus, the crime types described below had some element of ...
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Nacha Seeks Industry Input on International ACH Transaction Rules

By Shelly Sipple
In an effort to enhance the efficiency, clarity and security of International ACH Transactions (IATs), Nacha has issued a Request for Comment (RFC) and Request for Information (RFI ) seeking industry feedback on several proposed changes to IAT rules and practices, with responses due by Friday, May 30. EPCOR will host a free, members-only Special Industry Update webinar on Monday, May 5. This webinar will provide additional context, explain the proposed changes and offer attendees an opportunity to ask questions and share their views. We encourage all members to review the proposed changes carefully and participate in the upcoming webinar. ...
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The Power of Written Procedures

By Liz Cone
It’s hard to believe we’re already in the second quarter of 2025! Flowers are blooming, the weather is beginning to warm up and summer is just around the corner. Many people use this opportunity to do a little cleaning around their house to freshen up and get rid of the dust and grime from winter. From an ACH operations perspective, it’s also a good idea to look over your current processes and written procedures and do a little spring cleaning, so to speak. Are Written Procedures Required? While the ACH Rules do not require Participating DFIs, Third-Party Senders (TPSs) or Third-Party Service Providers (TPSPs) to develop written procedures for ACH ...
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Human Trafficking Prevention in Financial Institutions

By Madison Howard
Human trafficking is a global crisis that exploits millions of people through forced labor, sexual exploitation and involuntary servitude. Financial institutions, as well as the community, play a critical role in identifying and preventing human trafficking activities. By recognizing suspicious financial patterns and implementing strong protocols, you can help combat this heinous crime. The Financial Footprint of Human Trafficking Traffickers rely on financial systems to move and launder illicit funds. Common red flags associated with human trafficking include: Frequent cash deposits and withdrawals in multiple locations. ...
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Paymentspalooza Brings the Beat to Columbus! 🎶

By Keldon Bowling
Columbus was alive with the sound of payments as EPCOR members gathered together from April 14–16 for our spring conference in Columbus, OH. For three jam-packed days, the industry tuned in to the latest trends, shared bold ideas, celebrated innovation and connected with fellow payments pros. Paymentspalooza Takes the Stage We opened Paymentspalooza with two powerful pre-conference workshops, Preparing for New ACH Origination Fraud Monitoring and Mitigation Rules with EPCOR’s Trevor Witchey and Navigating Reg E led by EPCOR’s Sharon Hallmark. Once the stage was set, EPCOR's President and CEO Brandie Thacker and Board Chair Paula Barrington ...
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U.S. Treasury Check Reclamations

By Marcy Cauthon
Did you know that ALL U.S. Treasury checks, regardless of the payment type, are subject to check reclamation procedures? That is correct! According to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service’s Gold Book , reclamation actions may be initiated against a presenting financial institution when a U.S. Treasury Check: Is presented for payment over a forged or unauthorized endorsement, A benefit check is negotiated after the payee’s death or When the check was materially altered . Check reclamation is a recovery procedure used by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service (Fiscal Service) to obtain refunds (reclamations) from a ...
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Financial Literacy for a Stronger Future

By Keldon Bowling
April showers bring May flowers, and it also brings Financial Literacy Month! Staying informed is key to making smarter money moves and ensuring long-term financial stability. For financial institutions, promoting financial literacy not only boosts client relationships but also helps reduce financial stress, boosts long-term financial stability and fosters a more resilient economy. Financial literacy covers everything from budgeting and saving to understanding debt management, investments and more. By addressing these topics, financial institutions can help their clients make better choices and lead healthier financial lives. Some important educational ...
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Validating WSUDs with E-Signatures

By Raven Smith
Under Article Three, Subsection 3.12.4, Form of Written Statement of Unauthorized Debit of the ACH Rules , it is required that Written Statements of Unauthorized Debits (WSUDs) are to be signed or similarly authenticated by the Receiver. RDFIs are responsible for ensuring that WSUDs are obtained and retained in compliance with the ACH Rules . We know 'signed' means pen-to-paper, but what exactly does 'similarly authenticated' mean? The Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (the E-Sign Act) establishes electronic signatures as legally equivalent to their paper counterparts, provided they meet the requirements of the E-Sign Act. To be ...
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Top 10 ACH Audit Findings of 2024

By Trista Woolston
Auditing ACH transactions is an essential part of ensuring compliance and maintaining the integrity of your organization's payments. It can often feel overwhelming, but fear not! EPCOR’s expert team is here to transform that chaos into a streamlined process. Below are the top ten common ACH audit findings with practical solutions to tackle them. 1. Annual ACH Compliance Audits: Neglecting to complete your annual ACH Compliance Audit could put your organization at risk of non-compliance with the ACH Rules . Solution: Schedule your annual ACH Compliance Audit ahead of the December 31 st deadline as required by Subsection 1.2.2.1, General ...
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Buy Now, Pay Later Fraud: What You Need to Know & How to Stay Safe

By Madison Howard
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services have revolutionized the way we shop, offering a convenient way to split payments over time. However, this ease of use has also attracted the attention of fraudsters. Understanding the common BNPL scams and prevention methods is crucial for both businesses and consumers. Common BNPL Scams Identity Theft – Fraudsters use stolen personal details to open BNPL accounts and rack up charges. Fake Accounts – Criminals create synthetic identities (mixing real and fake information to create a new identity) to commit fraud. Account Takeover – Hackers break into legitimate BNPL accounts ...
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Meet Jess Bee

By Keldon Bowling
We’re excited to announce that @Jess Bee, AAP has joined our flock! Jess lives in Warren, PA, along the Allegheny River. After a career that began in banking in 2005, she’s returned to the payments world, bringing with her ten years of ACH operations experience. Jess’s career journey also included a break where she worked as a code enforcement officer for her local municipality and more recently for the Commonwealth of PA in the Department of Human Services. Regarding her new position at EPCOR, Jess shares, “I’m excited to be able to utilize and share my knowledge that I’ve gained over the years and to expand that ...
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Welcome to our 12 New Members! 🎉

By Hoot-E
We have welcomed an additional 12 new members into the EPCOR family! Please join us in welcoming the following: Earning Tree FCU in Wilkes Barre, PA University CU in Miami, FL Peoples Savings Bank in Indianola, IA Siouxland FCU in South Sioux City, NE People's Credit Union in Rayne, LA CDK Global LLC in Austin, TX Maise Technology in Brigham City, UT Ameritax Inc. in North Brunswick, NJ SHAZAM in Johnston, IA High Plains Farm Credit in Hays, KS Wellfit Technologies in San Antonio, TX OSConsulting in East Hartford, CT
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