R61

What Is ACH Return Code R61?

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 R61, also known as "Misrouted Return," is a standard code used in Automated Clearing House (ACH) transactions. This code is applied when a return entry has been misrouted to an incorrect receiving depository financial institution (RDFI). Nacha formally defines R61 as, “The financial institution preparing the return entry (the RDFI of the original entry) has placed the incorrect transit/routing number in the receiving DFI identification field. May be used for all entries except IAT.”

Essentially, this means that the RDFI incorrectly placed information in the Receiving DFI Identification field that resulted in the transfer being misrouted. The RDFI must return a transaction with code R61 within 60 calendar days.

How To Address ACH Return Code R61

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 R61, you should first reach out to the RDFI to better understand the nature of the error that caused the return to be misrouted. Under certain circumstances, you may also be able to request that the operator ask the ODFI to dishonor the transaction, as it was routed incorrectly. Once the issue is resolved, you will likely need to resubmit the transaction in its entirety.

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.