ACH VRS Instruction Guide It s time to expect more. Regions Bank Member FDIC Revised 031513
INTRODUCTION Regions utilizes a touch-tone Voice Response System (ACH-VRS) that provides an automated way of reporting ACH file totals - as well as verifying that the totals match the file sent for ACH processing. The Regions ACH-VRS system provides enhanced security as only authorized individuals with a valid Personal Identification Number will be able to provide file totals. In addition, it reduces risk by only processing files that have matching file totals from ACH-VRS. The Regions ACH-VRS system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your convenience. You will be issued a seven-digit Customer ID and a single four-digit company Personal Identification Number (PIN) via secure email. The first time you call the ACH-VRS system you will be prompted to change your PIN. You must call the ACH-VRS system with your ACH file totals before sending your file for processing. Your ACH file totals must be matched to the ACH file received by Regions before your file can be processed. You may enter your ACH file totals on a non-business day; however your ACH file will not be processed until the following business day. An ACH Fax Confirmation will be faxed to you verifying that the ACH file totals entered into the ACH-VRS system match the ACH file received by Regions. However, the matched file will still undergo file processing edits for risk and file format validation within the ACH system. If any failure occurs during this process, you will be contacted by a Regions Operations Representative. GETTING STARTED 1. Dial the Regions ACH-VRS system at 205-261-4670, or 1-888-326-4670 2. You will be prompted to enter your seven-digit Customer ID number. Press the POUND (#) key. 3. Next you will be prompted to enter your four-digit PIN. Press the POUND (#) key. If this is the first time you have called into the ACH-VRS system, you will be prompted to select another PIN, as your temporary PIN has expired. When you have successfully changed your PIN, or if this is not the first time you are calling the ACH-VRS system, you will be directed to the Main Menu options. 4. The Main Menu offers the following options: OPTION 1 Adding File Totals OPTION 2 Checking the status of a file total OPTION 3 PIN Maintenance 0 Key Transfer directly to an ACH Representative 2
ADDING FILE TOTALS OPTION 1 1. Press 1 on your touch-tone keypad. 2. You will be prompted to enter the ACH Debit amount, including cents, for your file. Press the POUND (#) key when you finish entering the total. If there are no Debits in your file, then press the 0 key followed by the POUND (#) key. The ACH-VRS system will repeat the amount that you keyed and ask you to enter 1 if the amount is correct, or 2 if the amount repeated was incorrect (this will allow you to re-key your Debit amount). 3. You will be prompted to enter the ACH Credit amount, including cents, for your file. Press the POUND (#) key when you finish entering the total. If there are no Credits on your file, then press the 0 key followed by the POUND (#) key. The ACH-VRS system will repeat the amount that you keyed and ask you to enter 1 if the amount is correct, or 2 if the amount repeated was incorrect (this will allow you to re-key your credit amount). 4. A seven-digit confirmation number will be given when both the ACH Debit and Credit amounts have been entered. Please make a note of the confirmation number, as you will need this number when inquiring on the status of the ACH file totals you entered. If you need the confirmation number repeated, please press 2. 5. If you need to enter file totals for additional ACH files for the same Customer ID, then press 1 to return to the main menu. You may enter the STAR (*) key to exit the system. CHECKING the STATUS of a FILE TOTAL OPTION 2 1. You can check the status of your ACH file by pressing 2. It is recommended that you check the status within 2 to 3 hours after you have transmitted your ACH file to Regions. In addition, the verification should be completed during the normal banking hours of 8:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. CST. Please remember that the verification time-frame will vary based upon your ACH processing requirements and the time of day in which your file is sent to Regions. 2. You will be prompted to enter the seven-digit confirmation number for the ACH file totals you would like to verify. 3. After you enter the seven-digit confirmation number, you will receive one of four messages: ACH-VRS MESSAGE: This control total has not yet been matched to a file. An input file was matched to your control totals for the confirmation number. We have no record of this confirmation number. The totals for the specified confirmation number did not equal the accumulated totals for your file. Please contact your bank representative for more information. TRANSLATION: Your file has not been processed by ACH Operations. Please verify if your file has been transmitted, and check the status again later. Your file has been received and processed by ACH Operations and is being validated for risk and file processing edits. If an invalid confirmation number is entered, you will return to the main menu. The totals entered into ACH-VRS do not match the amounts transmitted. Please press 0 to speak with an ACH Representative. 3
4. If you have questions about any of these messages, please contact an ACH Representative by pressing 0 while in the ACH-VRS system, or by calling 205-420-5620. 1. Press 3 on your touch-tone keypad. PIN MAINTENANCE - OPTION 3 2. You will be prompted to enter a NEW four-digit PIN. 3. The ACH-VRS system will repeat the four-digit number you entered and ask you to press 1 if it is correct, or 2 if you wish to reenter (change) the number. Please note this PIN for use each time you access the ACH-VRS system. 4. Press 1 to automatically return to the main menu. HELPFUL HINTS 1. Always call in your ACH file totals before sending (transmitting) your ACH file for processing. 2. While in the main menu, you can press the 0 key to be connected to a Regions ACH Representative. 3. Press the STAR (*) key to exit the ACH-VRS system. 4. To speed up the response of the ACH-VRS system, press the POUND (#) key after entering requested responses, such as your Customer ID or PIN. 5. You do not have to wait for an entire message to complete if you know the option number you wish to select. 6. Files containing all ACH Prenotes (zero dollar items) need to be keyed into the ACH-VRS system for file total matching. 7. An automated fax confirmation will be sent to you after your file totals have been matched to your ACH file. 8. If you have not received a fax confirmation within one hour after entering your file totals, then you may dial (205) 420-5620 between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. CST to check the status of your confirmation. 9. Once your ACH file totals have been entered into the ACH-VRS system, your ACH file must be received by the close of business the same day. If Regions does not receive your ACH file, you will need to re-enter your ACH file totals prior to transmitting your ACH file. 4
This guide is for general informational and reference purposes only and is entirely subject and subordinate to the terms of the respective written agreements for the products and services described above. This guide does not constitute a contract or representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, nor does it in any way supplement, replace, modify, or amend the terms and provisions of the written agreements that govern the products and services. You should review actual product and service agreements carefully to understand the terms that govern the products and services and the rights, responsibilities, and liabilities of parties thereunder. 2013 Regions Bank. Member FDIC.