Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)

An electronic funds transfer (EFT), or direct deposit, is a digital money movement from one bank account to another. These transfers take place independently from bank employees. As a digital transaction, there is no need for paper documents. EFT has become a predominant method of money transfer since it is a simple, accessible, and direct payment or transfer of funds. As businesses increase their usage of EFT, paper checks become obsolete due to expense, slower expedition, and overall effort. 

An EFT transfer is usually very straightforward. There are two parties: the sender of funds and the receiver of funds. Once the sender initiates the transfer, the request channels through a series of digital networks from the Internet or a payment terminal to the sender’s bank and then to the receiver’s bank. Senders can be anyone from an employer to a business to an individual paying a vendor for a service such as electricity. Likewise, recipients can be entities like employees, goods suppliers, retailers, and utility companies. Most payments are cleared and completed within a couple of days. 

EFT payment methods vary. Every method of EFT offers ease and fast delivery, which is why it’s become so popular. While EFT is preferred worldwide, it’s important to know how one can participate in EFT payments. Here are the most common types of EFT:

Electronic Checks

A digital check is generated upon the payer’s authorization of this payment. E-checks are commonly used for vendor payments.

Direct Deposit

Direct deposit automatically deposits funds into an account with little to no paperwork. This method is popular among employees. While the automatic deposit requires almost no work regularly, the deposit needs to be set up, and this requires bank account information for the recipient, among other potential information for entry.

Phone Payments

This is a casual transaction, and it occurs during a phone call. Usually, the payee will supply their information, typically a card number, to the recipient over the phone. The transaction will happen on the recipient’s line. The payee does very little after verbal authorization. This is common for utility payments.

ATM Transactions

A global convenience, ATM transactions occur at electronic kiosks found throughout cities and banks worldwide. In this case, a person withdraws cash from their bank account by inserting their debit card into a machine, transmitting information to the bank and then processing the request to dispense money. It is an instant transaction.

Card Transactions

During the point-of-sale phase of a transaction, a credit card or debit card is the most commonly used form of payment worldwide, replacing cash. This can be in person or online and entails a card's swipe, dip, or entry, during which account information is electronically received, and a payment withdrawal is approved. Then, the payment is scheduled and processed within a day or two.

Internet Transactions

The internet version of tapping, swiping, or inserting a card involves manual entry into a point of sale field, followed by clicking a payment button. This process does the same as the above, processing an approval for payment and then transferring funds for payment within a couple of days.

ACH stands for Automated Clearing House. The ACH is a network of financial institutions that intends to provide security in transferring funds. So, in an ACH transaction, the request will stop through the ACH between the initiation and the bank itself. That means ACH transactions add an extra day or two, but if speed is less important than security, this option is desirable.

EFT is a blanket term for all digital transactions, and an ACH is just one type of EFT. As noted above, there are many types of electronic transfers, so it’s up to the business and the consumer to decide what kind of EFT is best for their needs.

One of the best features of the EFT is its security. While transmitting over the internet involves risk, EFT is generally considered a safer payment method than a traditional paper check. Some types of EFT, like the ACH, are more secure than others. The best way to ensure a tamper-free EFT is to use companies you know and trust or from a reliable source in the case of a recommendation. Using third-party entities like EBANX can help you make the right decisions when navigating EFT for your business.

When it comes to payment, EFT has a lot to offer. All types of EFT are fast and reliable and don’t require much work on either end of the transaction. This means EFT is a cost-effective solution, so businesses save money. The low-effort aspect is a financial benefit when it comes to time spent. Still, it also means employees can concentrate on larger issues since the details are handled through electronic automation.

Paper checks require check printing and postage, both of which are extra costs. Personnel interaction is needed for these tasks, which means less gets done or additional employees are necessary. A risk of mailing checks involves potential mail loss, or even interception of checks. Stop payment is a necessary expense in either of these cases. All of this is gone with an EFT.

When using cash, an in-person transaction is required. There’s a risk of human error in counting, fraudulent bills, and extra expense and effort for an employee to manage the money from transaction to filling the safe to in-person deposit at the bank. Again, these risks are totally gone with an EFT solution, like a credit card.

EFT’s established safety is one of the best benefits. Besides cost, secure business establishes entities as trustworthy, resulting in repeat sales and long-term relationships.

In a global e-commerce world, EFT makes businesses thrive. EFT technology enables companies to reach the entire population from anywhere in the world. The same ease and cost-effective nature exists with international payments, and businesses rely on this convenience. Indeed, EFT is a window into worldwide business, giving the same opportunities to small tech start-ups as large corporations. Fintech has dramatically benefited from EFT, especially in Latin America. 

In essence, international payments work the same way that local EFT payments do. However, some countries have rules for high prices. Foreign transaction fees and exchange rates will apply to varying amounts, so it’s important to know that information to keep books in order. Overall, international payments result in more significant income potential for any business worldwide.