SHAZAM Payments Association

Welcome to the SHAZAM Payments Association — a trusted ACH resource for banks and credit unions navigating the complexities of today's electronic payments landscape.

As a proud Nacha^® Direct Member and one of only nine Direct Member payments associations nationwide, SHAZAM is specially recognized and licensed by Nacha to provide ACH education, publications and advocacy. That means our members aren't just keeping up with the ACH Network — they’re plugged into it.

SHAZAM plays an active role in shaping the governance and future direction of the ACH Network and the Nacha Operating Rules. By representing the real‑world operational needs of community financial institutions, we help drive clearer rules, more practical guidance and greater confidence in preparing for change.

Shaping the future of payments

SHAZAM doesn’t just follow the payments landscape — we help influence what comes next. Through active participation in key industry initiatives, including Nacha’s Payments Innovation Alliance and the U.S. Faster Payments Council, we remain closely aligned with the organizations and ideas shaping the future of electronic payments.

Our involvement directly informs the education, tools and services we provide to support financial institutions and payments professionals across the full ACH lifecycle.

ACH education & training

Practical learning led by ACH experts

Our ACH experts deliver education year‑round to help your team effectively manage ACH responsibilities. Through ACH and industry webinars, interactive workshops and insights from payments leaders, we focus on the real‑world challenges facing today’s financial institutions.

Whether you’re onboarding new employees or strengthening existing expertise, our training is designed to deliver practical, immediately applicable skills.

Courses are taught by staff certified as Accredited ACH Professionals, Accredited Payments Risk Professionals or both. If you’re an AAP or APRP, you’ll also earn continuing education credits by participating in our webinars and workshops.

ACH audit services

Trusted guidance for Nacha compliance and ACH audits

To comply with the Nacha Operating Rules, participating financial institutions must complete an annual ACH audit or provide proof that an ACH exam has been conducted on their behalf.

As one of only nine nationally accredited ACH payments associations, SHAZAM is uniquely qualified to review your policies and procedures. Our AAPs evaluate your operations to help you meet Nacha requirements, reduce compliance and operational risk, and streamline the audit and examination process.

ACH publications

Practical tools your team can rely on

SHAZAM provides a wide selection of printed and electronic publications designed to support daily ACH operations and electronic payment programs.

Our guides, forms and reference materials are developed specifically for financial institutions and offered at affordable rates — helping your team stay informed, efficient and prepared as rules and requirements evolve.

aap accredited ach professional and aprp accredited payments risk professional certification logos

Build expertise & advance your career

Professional certification is more than a credential — it’s a way to demonstrate your credibility, commitment and leadership in the payments industry. We support payments professionals who want to pursue nationally recognized Nacha accreditations, including:

Accredited ACH Professional (AAP): Signals deep ACH knowledge and positions you as a trusted ACH expert within your organization. Ideal if your role focuses primarily on ACH‑related areas such as operations, sales or risk management.
Accredited Payments Risk Professional (APRP): Validates expertise in payments risk management, compliance and fraud mitigation. Well suited if your responsibilities span risk management across multiple payment types.

If you’re already accredited, SHAZAM’s training and education options help you meet continuing education requirements and further develop your expertise as the payments landscape evolves.

Become a member of the SHAZAM Payments Association

When you become a member of the SHAZAM Payments Association, you gain practical support, authoritative guidance and a trusted voice in today’s evolving payments environment. Membership is open to Iowa-based financial institutions in the seventh Federal Reserve district and includes:

Education and training delivered by experienced ACH professionals
Member pricing on ACH publications and forms
Complimentary annual Nacha Operating Rules Book
Support for all upcoming Nacha Rule changes
Go‑to ACH helpline providing trusted, expert guidance
Timely communication of industry information
ACH audit services conducted by AAPs to boost compliance
A voice in the evolving payments industry

Join today and experience the confidence of working with a trusted payments association and leading ACH resource.

Through its individual direct membership in Nacha, the SHAZAM Payments Association is a specially recognized and licensed provider of ACH education, publications and advocacy.

Membership in the U.S. Faster Payments Council signifies that the SHAZAM Payments Association supports and participates in industry collaboration to advance secure, inclusive, real‑time payments in the U.S.

Membership in Nacha's Payments Innovation Alliance signifies that the SHAZAM Payments Association collaborates with payments leaders to drive innovation, thought leadership and impact.