FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I Apply for RepublicACH?

    Click here for more details.

  • How long will the application process take?

    Verification of your Receiver’s account numbers can take up to five (5) business days.
    The entire RepublicACH application and approval process takes five (5) to ten (10) business days.

  • Who Can Sign Up for RepublicACH?

    Any Company that needs to make payments to their employees, clients, suppliers or vendors.

  • Can an individual consumer start an ACH transaction?

    No. ACH is designed to facilitate company payments that are high volume at low cost, i.e. under $500,000.

  • How can I register for RepublicACH?

    You can register for RepublicACH by contacting your Corporate or Account Manager. If you do not have one, please contact us here.

  • What type of transactions can I process using RepublicACH?

    You can carry out the following transactions:

    • Salaries
    • Dividends
    • Pensions
    • Cash Management of Transactions under $500, 000
    • Direct Debits including:
      • Insurance Claims
      • Insurance Premiums

  • Will RepublicACH work on any Internet browser?

    RepublicACH is compatible with Mozilla Firefox 3.6+, Internet Explorer 6+, Safari 5.0X and Google Chrome 6+

  • Can RepublicACH accept any type of file?

    RepublicACH can accept transactions/ files from any of the standard systems that are ACH compatible. These files should be in Text format and/ or MS Excel file format (saved in a delimited format).

  • How secure is the Automated Clearing House?

    All authorised users of RepublicACH have unique usernames and passwords. The system uses sophisticated cryptographic technology to send and receive payments electronically. No unauthorised user can access your identity and account details because the data is encrypted (a process of encoding information in a way that unauthorised persons cannot read or understand). RepublicACH is also managed by our own internal security systems. Unlike cheques, ACH transactions are also free from the risk of cheque fraud, mail theft/interception and/or impersonation.

  • Do I need approval to process payments?

    Yes, you need to get approval from your Corporate or Account Manager during the application process.

  • Who is responsible for verifying information on files submitted for processing?

    Account numbers are to be emailed to the ACH Department for verification during your application process. You must send new employees’ account numbers ten (10) business days before they are to be included on your master file.

    After this step, you must verify all information regarding routing numbers and completed fields for each file to be sent through RepublicACH. Your company will also have to verify and authorise transactions before they are submitted for processing by us.

  • Will information gathered by Republic Bank when I use RepublicACH remain confidential?

    Yes. At Republic Bank, we are committed to providing you with a secure and protected environment. We use hardware and software that are equipped with the most advanced security features available in the industry.

  • Can I add a new user on RepublicACH at any time?

    Yes. To add a new user, simply submit a signed and authorised ACH New User Request form, please note the company stamp must be affixed on this document. Submit this form to the RepublicACH Department at least 48 hours (two business days) before the date you intend to send the file for processing.

  • Can I transfer my password?

    All users on RepublicACH are assigned a unique Username and Password with the Rights and Security Protocols as defined by the Company. Passwords are therefore non-transferable.

  • What role does the Bank/ customers play in the processing of ACH transactions?

    Click here to find out more about who participates in the processing of ACH transactions.

  • Are all the banks involved in ACH processing?

    Yes. The Centrl Bank and all the Major Commercial Banks in Trinidad and Tobago are involved in ACH processing. Additionally, the ACH is overseen by the Central Bank of Trinidad of Tobago.

  • What kind of transactions can be sent through the system?

    You can send both debit and credit payments.
    You can credit employees’ and suppliers’ accounts each payday instead of issuing paper cheques.
    If you are an insurance/mortgage company, you can collect funds directly and automatically from policyholders/mortgagees’ accounts on the agreed date. With RepublicACH, the customer provides approval once and that’s it!

  • Are there any limits to the number and value of transactions that I can perform?

    You can request file totals for any amount as requested on your company’s application form. However, each individual payment within the ACH must be less than $500,000. For individual payments $500,000 and over, your company must go to your branch to process these payments via Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS). This is another payment system to transfer amounts more than $500,000.

  • Does the amount have to be the same every week, month or quarter?

    The amount can be the same or it can vary with each payment.

  • Do I need to have an account with Republic Bank?

    You must have an account with Republic Bank and you must have funds in it at least 24 hours before the effective date for processing.

  • When do I need to submit my transactions for processing?

    The files can be kept up to 30 days before the effective date or by 12:00pm on the day before the effective date.
    The effective date of your payroll is the date your company wants the funds to be available to your employees.
    If the effective date falls on a public holiday/non-banking day, it automatically shifts to the previous day, with consideration of weekends and public holidays. For example, if your company’s effective date is the 10th January 2014, the file must reach us on 9th January 2014 by 12:00pm.
    If you send your file after 12:00pm, it will be “picked up” or collected but processed the following business day.

  • Can I debit an account in a foreign currency (USD, GBP, CAD etc.) to make TTD payments?

    All payments within the ACH must be for TT dollars to TT currency accounts only.

  • Can changes be made to the processing limits?

    If you want to change your RepublicACH processing limits, you must make a request in writing to your Corporate or Account Manager at least 24 hours in advance. We will then be responsible for making the requested changes. Please note that the written request must be signed by authorised signatories only (as indicated on your ACH application form).

  • Can I request limit increases on my account?

    You should send requests for limit increases at least two (2) business days prior to payroll submission. You should send these requests directly to your Corporate or Account Manager for confirmation by your home branch.

  • What if I make a mistake in the file submitted? For example, what if I make an overpayment/duplicated payment to an employee, how can I correct this or try to recover the funds?

    You should send your query to RepublicACH Support via email. Please include in the email full details of the transaction. However, you should remember that according to the Service Level Agreement, you only have 48 hours to recover a payment.

  • Do I have to pay to use the ACH system?

    Yes. However a single RepublicACH transaction costs less per transaction than any other payment system. For the complete list of transaction fees kindly contact your Corporate or Account Manager.

  • Who do I contact if I have additional questions?

    You can contact the RepublicACH Department via email at achsupport@republictt.com. The contact numbers are 625-3617 ext 29908, 29915, 29916, 29918, 29919, 29921, 29925, 29927, 29928, 29828, 29737.

  • What are the RepublicACH Department hours of operation?

    Monday – Thursday: 8:00am to 4:00pm
    Fridays – 8:00am – 5:00pm
    Weekends and Public Holidays are excluded.

  • How do I update company information?

    If you need to change your company’s email addresses or contact numbers, you must send this updated information to the RepublicACH Department via letter or email.

  • Do you offer RepublicACH training and on site visits to companies?

    1. We will send you the “RepublicACH Step by Step Tutorials” to train your staff on how to use the service.
    2. After we send you the tutorials, our support staff can also offer a telephone “Walk-through.”
    3. If you are still experiencing difficulties understanding the system and its procedures, please contact your Corporate or Account Manager, who will liaise with the RepublicACH Department. The department will then decide whether we need to visit you to resolve the problem.