Real-time settlement of Zelle^® transactions on the RTP^® network enables expanded uses cases and increases efficiency of P2P, small business and disbursement payments for participating financial institutions; PNC Bank and U.S. Bank first to pilot the integration.

Scottsdale, AZ. – October 27, 2020 – Early Warning Services, LLC. (EWS), the owner and operator of the Zelle Network^®, and The Clearing House (TCH), the operator of the RTP^® network, today announced that financial institutions (FIs) can now settle Zelle payments over the RTP network, the real-time payment system in the United States.

PNC Bank and U.S. Bank have successfully completed a pilot of the integration, transmitting money using Zelle over the RTP network. Additional FIs will integrate the two networks and start testing later this year. This is a critical milestone in enabling FIs of all sizes to begin using both networks.

“Participating Zelle Network FIs can choose the RTP network as an optional route to clear and settle Zelle transactions in real-time,” said Lou Anne Alexander, chief product officer at Early Warning Services. “It’s on this foundation that new real-time payment use cases will be possible, including bill payments for auto loans, mortgages, and utilities.”

“Zelle and the RTP network make it faster and easier for FIs of all sizes and their customers to accelerate everyday tasks, from paying bills to issuing invoices to settling insurance claims, all while helping to reduce costs due to reconciliation issues, credit balances, and capital reserves,” said Steve Ledford, senior vice president of product strategy and development, The Clearing House.

Corporate customers of FIs leveraging the two networks will be able to send payments and Request for Payment (RfP) messages to consumers and small businesses using the email address or U.S. mobile phone number associated with their Zelle enrollment in addition to their Routing Transit and Account number. Both sending and receiving FIs must be RTP enabled.

“We think consumers and businesses will welcome the ability to pay bills and receive payment confirmations all in real-time,” added Thomas Kunz, executive vice president and digital director at PNC Bank. "PNC is always seeking ways to make banking easier and more convenient for our customers.”

 “The ability to send, receive, request and settle payments in real-time is increasingly important to business customers,” said Shailesh Kotwal, vice chair of Payment Services at U.S. Bank. “Our focus is on providing digital capabilities at every step of the cash flow process to help businesses gain efficiency, increase satisfaction among their customers and vendors, and reduce the risk of fraud.”

About The Clearing House
The Clearing House operates U.S-based payments networks that clear and settle more than $2 trillion each day through wire, ACH, check image, and the RTP^® network. It is the nation’s most experienced payments company, with a long track record of providing secure and reliable systems, payments innovation, and strategic thought leadership to financial institutions. Most recently, The Clearing House has revolutionized U.S. payments infrastructure with the RTP network, which supports the immediate clearing and settlement of payments, along with the ability to exchange related payment information across the same secure channel. These RTP capabilities enable all financial institutions to offer safer, faster, and smarter digital transaction services for their corporate and retail customers. Learn more at www.theclearinghouse.org.

About Early Warning Services, LLC
Early Warning Services, LLC, is a fintech company owned by seven of the country’s largest banks. For almost three decades, our identity, authentication and payment solutions have been empowering financial institutions to make confident decisions, enable payments and mitigate fraud. Today, Early Warning is best known as the owner and operator of the Zelle Network^®, a financial services network focused on transforming payment experiences. The combination of Early Warning’s risk and payment solutions enable the financial services industry to move money fast, safe and easy, so people can live their best financial lives. To learn more about Early Warning, visit www.earlywarning.com

Media Contacts

Greg MacSweeney
The Clearing House
212-612-9282
greg.macsweeney@theclearinghouse.org

Meghan Fintland      
Early Warning       
925-785-9192      
meghan.fintland@earlywarning.com