ACH and SEPA payments

ACH (US bank transfers) and SEPA (European bank transfers) let clients pay by linking their bank account directly instead of using a credit card. Processing fees are typically lower than credit cards.

How it works

1. Client selects "Pay by bank account" at checkout
2. They connect their bank account via a secure link (Plaid for US, similar for EU)
3. Arketa confirms the order immediately — the client gets access right away
4. The payment processes in the background over the next 3–5 business days (ACH) or 1–3 business days (SEPA)
5. Once settled, funds move to your Stripe balance and are included in your next payout

Client access during processing

Clients get immediate access to whatever they purchased — classes, memberships, on-demand videos — even though the payment hasn't fully settled yet. This is by design; requiring settlement before granting access would create a poor client experience.

Risk consideration

Because clients get immediate access before the bank transfer settles, there's a small risk of payment failure (e.g., insufficient funds discovered after access is granted). Arketa and Stripe monitor for this — failed ACH/SEPA transfers result in the payment reversing and access being revoked.

Availability

ACH and SEPA support depends on your Stripe account configuration and location. Check your Stripe account or contact support if you want to enable bank transfer payments for your clients.

ACH vs. credit card fees

ACH transaction fees are typically lower than credit card fees (often 0.8% capped at $5 vs. 2.9% + 30¢). For high-value memberships and packages, this can meaningfully reduce your payment processing costs.