ACH Return Code R61

ACH Return Code R61 – Misrouted Return occurs when a return entry is sent to the wrong financial institution. This code indicates that the return should have been directed to a different RDFI (Receiving Depository Financial Institution). 

Understanding this error can help businesses and banks correct return routing issues promptly and maintain smooth ACH operations.

What Is an ACH Return Code

In ACH payments, a return code is a standardized reason explaining why a transaction didn’t go through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network.

Governed by NACHA, these codes help both the Originating Depository Financial Institution (ODFI), which sends the payment, and the Receiving Depository Financial Institution (RDFI), which receives it, understand the cause of the issue.

Common reasons include insufficient funds, closed accounts, or incorrect account details.

What Is ACH Return Code R61

ACH Return Code R61 indicates a misrouted return, meaning a return entry was sent to the wrong receiving bank. This error occurs when the RDFI mistakenly routes a return transaction to an incorrect financial institution instead of the one originally involved in the payment. 

As a result, the return cannot be properly processed until it is redirected to the correct bank.

How to Fix ACH Return Code R61

To fix ACH Return Code R61, the RDFI (Receiving Depository Financial Institution) must identify the routing error and resend the return entry to the correct ODFI (Originating Depository Financial Institution). This typically involves reviewing the original transaction details to determine the correct destination for the return. 

Once the mistake is identified, the RDFI should correct the routing information and initiate a new return entry through the ACH network.