07/28/2026

Southern Financial Exchange Partners with Optim ACH Solutions to Offer Originator and Third-Party Sender Self-Audits and Risk Assessments

New digital, cloud-based tools enable Third-Party Senders to meet Nacha requirements efficiently and support ODFIs in ensuring Originator compliance

Irondale, Ala., July 28, 2026 – Southern Financial Exchange (SFE), a leading payments association serving financial institutions across the East and West South-Central United States, today announced a partnership with Optim ACH Solutions (OAS) to provide digital, cloud-based self-audit and risk assessment tools. Under the agreement, SFE will offer self-audit and self-risk assessment solutions, powered by OAS, to Originating Depository Financial Institutions (ODFIs), Third-Party Senders, Third-Party Service Providers, and Originators.

The Nacha Operating Rules, Article One, Subsection 1.2.2 (Audits of Rules Compliance), require all ODFIs and Third-Party Senders to complete an annual audit. In addition, the Rules place the obligation on the ODFI to ensure their Originators follow the Rules and comply with all governing regulations.

“Third-Party Senders must perform an annual audit, and while not every ACH Originator is explicitly required to do so, ODFIs are responsible for ensuring their adherence to the Rules,” said Pamela T. Rodriguez, AAP, CIA, CISA, SFE’s president and CEO. “By providing these self-guided tools to their clients, ODFIs offer cost-effective, efficient solutions to certify that their Originators and Third-Party Senders are meeting their obligations under the Rules. We are thrilled to be partnering with OAS to support ODFIs in better managing their risk and compliance requirements and addressing customer and member needs.”

Specifically, through its partnership with OAS, SFE will now be offering the following digital, cloud-based, self-audit and risk assessment solutions:

• Third-Party Sender ACH Audits
  • Payroll Providers – OAS's flagship Third-Party Sender Audit solution is designed specifically for payroll service providers, accountants, and payroll professionals. Tailored for small- to mid-sized organizations, the audit helps evaluate compliance with applicable ACH Rules and assesses controls surrounding payroll direct deposits, business payments, and related ACH processing activities. The structured audit framework assists organizations in identifying compliance gaps, strengthening controls, and supporting sound risk management practices.
  • Property Management Companies – Designed specifically for property management organizations, this self-audit tool helps assess compliance with ACH Rules related to rent collection, tenant payments, and vendor transactions. Well-suited for small-to-mid-sized businesses, the audit provides a structured framework to evaluate ACH processes, identify potential compliance gaps, and strengthen risk management practices. (Also available as part of an audit and risk assessment bundle.)
  • Core ACH Payments – This solution provides a versatile audit framework for Third-Party Senders and Third-Party Service Providers that originate ACH debits and credits. Designed for organizations managing multiple payment applications and client types, it delivers a comprehensive assessment of ACH Rules compliance across a variety of transaction environments. Audit tools support PPD, CCD, and CTX Standard Entry Class (SEC) Codes. (Also available in a Core Plus package that includes TEL and WEB, including a WEB Debit Security Audit.)

• WEB Debit Security Audit & Compliance Review – Designed for Originators, Third-Party Senders, and Nested Third-Party Senders that originate WEB debit entries, this assessment evaluates compliance with the WEB ACH Rules and helps satisfy Nacha's annual WEB Security Audit requirement. The review assesses physical, administrative, access, and network security controls designed to protect sensitive banking and personal information from unauthorized access, theft, or tampering. The resulting documentation supports an organization's compliance and risk management efforts related to WEB debit origination.

• Originator Compliance Review – This solution is designed for organizations that originate ACH debits and credits, including PPD, CCD, CTX, TEL, WEB Standard Entry Class Codes, and need to satisfy the WEB Debit Security Audit. It includes the components needed to support compliance with applicable Nacha Operating Rules. It combines valuable educational insight with a comprehensive audit framework to help organizations understand their compliance obligations and demonstrate compliance readiness.

• Payroll Service Providers ACH Risk Assessment – Designed specifically for Payroll Service Providers, this cloud-based risk assessment extends beyond traditional ACH risk categories to address payroll-specific operational, compliance, and fraud risks. Through industry-focused case studies, guided assessment questions, educational resources, and control considerations, organizations gain a deeper understanding of their inherent risk exposure, evaluate residual risk, and identify opportunities to strengthen internal controls and risk management practices.

In addition to the above-mentioned solutions, a Core ACH Payments Risk Assessment, which is designed for Originators, Third-Party Senders, and Nested Third-Party Senders to identify risks, evaluate controls, and strengthen ACH risk management practices, will be available in August.

“At OAS, we believe compliance solutions should be accessible to every organization responsible for ACH audits and risk assessments, regardless of size or resources,” said Debbie Arai, Founder and Principal of OAS. “We developed our self-audit and risk assessment solutions to translate Nacha Rules into practical operational guidance, helping organizations understand not only what the Rules require, but how to apply them effectively within their business. Through our partnership with SFE, we're helping financial institutions equip their clients with a practical, scalable way to strengthen controls, manage risk, and demonstrate ACH compliance readiness.”

All self-audit and risk assessment solutions are available at SFE.org, with volume pricing available for organizations purchasing multiple self-audits or risk assessments. For additional information or to learn more about SFE's suite of self-audit and risk assessment solutions, powered by OAS, contact SFE at info@sfe.org or visit SFE.org.

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About SFE
As a leading payments association, SFE equips organizations with payments expertise, enabling them to achieve their goals. Through education, audit, risk management, and consultation services, SFE serves as a preferred partner and as a respected and influential member advocate. The SFE team prioritizes adaptability, creativity, and teamwork to better serve the SFE community in today’s dynamic payments landscape. For more information, visit SFE.org.

About OAS

Optim ACH Solutions (OAS) provides ACH audit, risk assessment, and compliance solutions for organizations that move money through the ACH Network. Serving Originators, Third-Party Senders, Third-Party Service Providers, financial institutions, and fintech companies, OAS delivers practical, technology-driven solutions that simplify compliance through cloud-based tools, digital reporting, and plain-language guidance. As a member of Nacha's Payments Innovation Alliance, OAS stays engaged with evolving industry trends, regulatory developments, and ACH best practices, helping clients navigate compliance and risk management with confidence. For more information, visit oasnow.com.