R52

What Is ACH Return Code R52?

ACH return codes are used to identify the reason an ACH payment has been returned by the recipient's bank. They make it easier for originating and receiving financial institutions to spot and communicate payment failures.

ACH Return Code R52, also known as "Stop Payment on Item Related to RCK Entry," is a standard code used in Automated Clearing House (ACH) transactions. This code indicates that an ACH transaction contains a Represented Check Entry (RCK) and that there is a stop payment on that associated RCK.

A Represented Check Entry (RCK) is a specific type of Automated Clearing House (ACH) entry used for the electronic re-presentment of a paper check that has been returned due to insufficient funds or uncollected funds. In other words, it provides a way for a merchant or an entity to electronically re-present a bounced check to the check writer's bank.

A stop payment order is a request made by an account holder to their bank or financial institution to prevent a specific check or electronic payment from being processed. Customers can issue stop payments for a variety of reasons—including fraud concerns, insufficient funds, issues with the service or product, and more.

The customer’s bank must return a transaction with code R52 within 60 banking days.

How To Address ACH Return Code R52

Nacha prescribes separate rules for handling each return code since each one represents a unique scenario. ODFIs (Originating Depository Financial Institutions) and RDFIs (Receiving Depository Financial Institutions) are responsible for handling ACH return codes according to these rules.

If you encounter R52, you should start by reaching out to your customer to understand why they issued the stop payment. From there, you can either request an alternate form of payment from your customer or re-attempt the transaction, as appropriate.

What Is An ACH Return Code?

ACH return codes identify the reason an ACH payment was returned by the recipient's bank. They make it easier for originating and receiving financial institutions to spot and communicate payment failures. Each code begins with 'R' followed by a two digit number. ACH return codes are standardized and maintained by NACHA, the governing body for the ACH network.