We need your input! Learn more about what we’re doing and lend your voice to our efforts by joining the Conversations on Instant Payments group!
The Project
CU*Answers has completed the first stage of a multi-phase initiative to connect CBX credit unions to the FedNow® Service, the instant payment rail from the Federal Reserve.
In order to allow all credit unions across the network an equal opportunity to hook into this new payments rail, we pursued a connection directly to the Fed, rather than going through a corporate credit union. CU*Answers clients connect via the CU*Answers data center’s connection to the Fed; CU*South and CU*NorthWest clients connect via the connection to the Fed at the Site-4 data center. Both use the same network infrastructure, software, and server components on the back end.
As of July 15, 2026, across the entire cuasterisk.com network:
| Service (Receive only) | # CUs Live | # CUs in the Queue |
| RTP® | 85 | 2 |
| The FedNow® Service | 18 | 12 |
See the separate recipe for our project to connect to the RTP® Network from The ClearingHouse
Part 1: Receive
We have completed our connection to the FedNow Service, and credit unions can now hop on the rail in order to receive deposits to member accounts.
Projects related to this initiative (status is as of September 2026):
- Project #67939: Download and Archive FedNow reports for daily reconciliation
Status: This project will allow CUs who do not have their own FedLine Advantage access to view reports of daily FedNow activity (Account Balance and FedNow Activity Details) for settlement and balancing purposes. This project is currently in QC testing. - Project #67133: Automate archival of FedNow reports to CU*Reports archive
Status: This is a follow-on to project 67939, to store daily reports in CU*Spy. Waiting for availability of programming resources.
Part 2: Send
Next we’re tackling the send and request for payment (RfP) functions, which require a great deal more configurable controls and fraud mitigation components. Projects related to this initiative (status is as of September 2026):
- Project #64185: Controls for Sending Funds via RTP or the FedNow Service
Status: We have logged over 200 hours of development on this project, which creates new configuration controls in CU*BASE so they’ll be ready to use with subsequent projects. Those subsequent projects will build the actual applications and user interface for sending funds via the new instant payment rails. Project is currently waiting for available QC testing resources. - Project #64186: Add Instant Payments (RTP/FedNow) to CU*BASE Loan Disbursements
Status: This project is currently in development, with approx. 190 hours booked so far. This is our first application that will actually utilize the new instant payment rails to send funds, using existing loan disbursement features in the CBX LOS.
To learn more about the controls we’re building and the “send” use cases we’re considering, join us for a future Conversations on Instant Payments event!
Resources
Learn more about instant payments.
Learn more about the FedNow Service.
Sign up today to hop on the FedNow Service rail!
Read an overview of instant payments and the differences between the RTP and FedNow networks.
Open the FedNow Service Operating Procedures
Open the FedNow Service Operating Circular 8 (OC8)
IMPORTANT: Don’t wait! Your credit unions will need to be on both payment rails! There is no interoperability between these independent payment systems, and members will not be able to pick and choose: if the payment app they are trying to use is on the FedNow Service and your CU is only on the RTP rail (or vice versa), members won’t be able to send an instant payment using that tool!
FAQs
Q: Will this project change how ACH works?
A: No. Remember that this is a payment option that is separate from and in addition to regular or same-day ACH. Whatever we do with these new payment channels, either RTP or the FedNow Service, will have no effect on our current ACH processes and functionality.
Q: My corporate credit union said that they can hook us up to the FedNow service. Are you going to be working with corporates on this?
A: Not until after we have completed our integration direct to the Fed. Our plan is to complete all components of the project – Receive and Send at the very least, and possibly Request for Payment – before we open the door to working directly with any particular corporate CU’s solution. Remember that unlike RTP, which you can hook to without changing your existing relationship with your corporate credit union, the FedNow service will require a much greater level of entanglement with the corporate, which could be disruptive to some CUs. Our plan is intended to allow everyone across the entire network to tap into the FedNow service without having to alter their existing corporate CU relationship.
Q: Do I need to choose between RTP and the FedNow Service? Is there any reason to wait for the FedNow service to be ready?
A: Your credit union will need to be on both of these new payment rails! There is no interoperability between these independent payment systems, and members will not be able to pick and choose: if the payment app they are trying to use is on the FedNow service and your CU is only on the RTP rail (or vice versa), members won’t be able to send an instant payment using that tool.
Q: I’m a self-processing credit union. Is there anything different I need to do if I want to hop on this rail?
A: Yes. We are still working through the details, but it is our understanding that our self processor partners can ride our rails for the FedNow service, but you will need to process the configuration in your own FRB portal. We cannot set you up like we can for our online clients. You will need to configure your FRB portal to point to our servers. Stay tuned for more complete instructions on how to do this once we figure everything out!
Q: I understand Corp One does have a connection to the FedNow Service. Can I just sign up for that now, before you get your direct connection done?
A: While this is technically available to anyone who is signed up for RTP through Corp One, CU*Answers has no specific interface earmarked for the FedNow traffic. That means that any transactions would come through as RTP and be logged under the same origin code in CU*BASE. We will not be considering any development to alter that arrangement until after we have gone live with our connection to the Fed and gotten a good start on our plans for the “Send” process.
Q: My credit union already has a FedLine Advantage terminal. Do we have to do anything different to sign up for this new service?
A: CUs who already have their own FedLine Advantage connection will need to use their existing credentials to complete the necessary steps. We’ll give you specific instructions to follow, and we may ask you to provide access to our team to make the necessary changes for you. Either way, we’ll walk you through the process from beginning to end.
Chefs for this recipe: Nicole Cooper
