In addition, closed-network, prepaid payment alternatives, which use chip-based technology, have been successful in collecting tolls on the nation’s highways. Likewise, the combination of new technologies and changes to the rules and regulations governing the ACH network has facilitated the use of this network for one-time, nonrecurring payments.
In the past, the ACH was mainly used for recurring payments, such as payroll, mortgage, and utility payments. 1  Edwin J. Lucio, Helena L. Tenenholtz, and Jeffrey S. H. Yeganeh, of the Board’s staff, contributed to this speech. BIS Review 38/2006  1  Today, consumer purchases at stores, over the telephone, or over the Internet can be completed using the ACH.