ACH Return Code R61: Misrouted Return

The R61 return code can be returned on consumer and non-consumer accounts. An ACH R61 return code indicates that a return entry was sent to the wrong financial institution or was otherwise misrouted during ACH processing.

This return code is used to return an improperly routed return entry rather than the original ACH transaction. It is not restricted to a particular SEC code or account type.

The Receiving Depository Financial Institution (RDFI) or Originating Depository Financial Institution (ODFI), as applicable, must transmit an R61 return within 2 banking days of settlement.

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What is an ACH Return Code?

An ACH return code is a standardized code used to explain why an Automated Clearing House (ACH) transaction was returned by the receiving bank.

Codes are issued by the Receiving Depository Financial Institution (RDFI) and maintained by Nacha, the organization that governs the ACH Network. Certain codes may apply to consumer accounts, non-consumer (business) accounts, or both. These codes help banks, payment processors, and originators understand what went wrong during an ACH transaction so they can determine the appropriate next steps, such as retrying the payment, correcting information, or contacting the customer.

Why you're seeing ACH Return Code R61

Code R61 means a return entry was sent to the wrong financial institution. This may have occurred because:

The return was routed using an incorrect routing number. The RDFI of the original entry placed the wrong routing number in the return.
The return was sent to a bank that was not the original ODFI. The ACH Network could not properly route the return to the institution that originated the entry.
An operational or processing error occurred. Incorrect routing information caused the return to be misdirected.

Sending ACH Payments with Slash

You can send domestic or international ACH payments using Slash by following these steps:

Navigate to the Payments dashboard and click Transfer Funds in the top-right corner.
Select a recipient using saved contact and banking information, or add a new recipient by entering their contact and bank details.
Choose the Slash account you want to use as the payment source, select ACH Transfer as the payment method, choose the destination bank account, and enter the payment amount (in USD).
Optionally, send the recipient an email confirmation with a payment description. You can also add a memo with internal notes that are visible only to you and other Slash account administrators.
Review the recipient's bank name, account number, and ACH routing number to ensure the payment details are correct.
Once all information is confirmed, click Send Payment.

Slash offers 24/7 support by phone and email to help resolve any issues with sending payments. You can also improve how you manage ACH transfers by scheduling recurring ACH payments, receiving low-balance notifications, and tracking returned payments alongside other transactions. With Slash, you can view all account balances, ACH activity, and transfers in one centralized dashboard.

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How to resolve this return code

Follow these steps to address and prevent this ACH return.

No action is typically required.

This return must be corrected by the financial institution that prepared it.

Contact your payment provider if needed.

If you need confirmation or additional details, reach out to your bank or payment provider.

Wait for bank resolution.

The corrected return will be handled between the banks.