> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.uplifter.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# What is EFT, and how do families pay with it?

> How the Canadian bank debit (EFT) works: where to turn it on, how families pay with it, how it's labeled, and how long it takes to settle.

<Note>
  **Must know**

  * **EFT is the Canadian bank debit.** The family authorizes it and the payment processor pulls the money from their bank account (a pre-authorized debit, or PAD).
  * **It is not Interac E-transfer**, which the family sends themselves and you record on the invoice.
  * **Turn it on under Settings > Financials > Checkout & Taxes**, option **Bank Transfer (EFT)**.
  * **A bank debit marks the invoice Paid but usually takes 3 to 5 business days to settle**, and the bank can still return it.
</Note>

**What EFT is.** EFT lets a family pay from their bank account instead of a card: they enter their bank details and authorize the debit. US clubs get the same option as ACH.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Checkout & Taxes">
    Go to **Settings > Financials > Checkout & Taxes** and find the **Payment methods & service fees** card.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Switch on Bank Transfer (EFT)">
    Turn on **Bank Transfer (EFT)** (US clubs see **Bank Transfer (ACH)**). Its **Service fee** field is optional. Enter 0 for no fee. Click **Save Changes**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

**How families pay.** Families can pay by EFT at checkout on your club website or on an invoice in the family portal. A signed-in family's bank account is saved, so your staff can charge it later from **Take payment**.

**What happens next.** After checkout, the family sees **Payment Submitted**: "ACH bank transfers take 1-3 business days to confirm." (ACH even in Canada). The invoice can read **Processing** until the bank accepts the debit, then **Paid**, while its transaction stays **Authorised** until the money settles, usually 3 to 5 business days. Until then a refund can't go back to the bank account, so record it as cash, an E-transfer or account credit.

**How it's labeled.** Some screens say ACH for EFT:

| Where | Canadian clubs see |
| - | - |
| Checkout & Taxes | **Bank Transfer (EFT)** |
| The family's payment choice | **Bank transfer (EFT)** |
| A saved bank account | **Bank Account (ACH)** |
| The invoice's **Payment history** | **Bank (ACH)** |

**Not e-transfer, not Interac debit.** An **Interac E-transfer** is sent by the family themselves, and you record it on the invoice with **Take payment**. If a family says they e-transferred and the invoice is still unpaid, record it there. Interac debit is a debit card payment and isn't offered at online checkout.

**If the bank returns the debit.** After the invoice reads Paid, if the bank couldn't collect (for example, insufficient funds), the invoice reopens as unpaid and nothing is cancelled. If the family disputes it, the items are cancelled and no refund is issued. A refund to a bank account can also bounce back, shown to families as [Refund reversed](/families/families-payments-billing/what-does-refund-reversed-mean).

**Related:** [What are stored cards, and who manages them?](/club/payments-checkout/stored-cards-explained) · [How do I choose payment methods and add a service fee?](/club/money-payouts-accounting/payment-methods-and-service-fees) · [Who pays payment processing fees on my sales?](/club/money-payouts-accounting/who-pays-processing-fees) · [What happens when a family disputes a payment or their bank returns it?](/club/refunds-cancellations/chargebacks-and-bank-returns)