Cleva now supports FedNow payments, giving you an even faster way to receive USD directly into your account.
With this payment option, transfers can arrive within seconds instead of taking hours or even days like traditional ACH transfers. It is also available 24/7, including weekends and public holidays, so payments are no longer limited by banking hours.
Whether you are receiving client payments, salaries, or transfers from friends, family, or anyone abroad, FedNow gives senders a quicker and more seamless way to get money into your Cleva account.
Here is everything you need to know.
What is FedNow?
It is a real-time payment infrastructure launched by the Federal Reserve in the United States. It operates as a payment rail, the underlying system that moves money from one bank account to another, much like ACH and Wire transfers do.
The key difference is speed. Traditional ACH transfers follow batch-processing timelines, which means transfers can take anywhere from a few hours to several business days to arrive. This real-time network eliminates that delay. When a sender initiates a FedNow transfer, the payment moves almost instantly and settles in real time.
This payment option also operates on a 24/7/365 basis. ACH and Wire transfers are often limited by banking hours and processing windows. However, FedNow has no such restrictions. It runs continuously, day and night, on weekends, and on public holidays.
How it works on Cleva
Cleva supports FedNow as an incoming payment rail alongside ACH and Wire transfers. Here is how the process works in practice:
When someone sends money to your Cleva account, they initiate the transfer from their bank. If their bank supports FedNow and they select it as their payment method, the transfer routes through the network and can land in your Cleva account in seconds.
No action is required on your end. You do not need to activate it, update your account settings, or share different account details. Your existing Cleva account details remain the same. The speed simply depends on what the sender’s bank supports and which payment rail the sender selects.
If the sender’s bank does not support this network, or if they choose ACH or Wire instead, standard timelines for those payment methods apply.
FedNow pricing on Cleva
Receiving FedNow payments on Cleva costs the same as receiving ACH transfers. There are no premium charges for the faster speed.
Here is the fee structure:
- Transfers below $300 — $1 fee
- Transfers of $300 and above — $3 fee
This pricing structure applies regardless of whether the payment arrives via FedNow or ACH. You get faster settlement without paying more for it.
Also, third-party deposits are capped at $1,000 per day. This applies to FedNow transfers just as it does to ACH and Wire transfers.
Check our pricing page for more details about our fees.
Key things to know before you share this with a sender
FedNow is a relatively new payment rail, and not every U.S. bank has adopted it yet. Before a sender tells their bank to use this network, it helps to understand the following:
1. The sender’s bank must support FedNow. If the bank has not yet adopted this network, the sender will not see it as an option. In that case, they can still send via ACH or Wire, and those standard timelines will apply.
2. The sender must actively choose FedNow. It does not kick in automatically. The sender needs to select it when they initiate the transfer. If they choose ACH or Wire, those respective timelines apply, even if their bank supports FedNow.
3. You do not need to do anything on your end. There is no activation needed. Everything on the Cleva side is already ready to receive these payments.
4. FedNow transfers can arrive in seconds. Once a sender initiates a transfer to your Cleva account using this payment option, the money can appear almost immediately, any time of day, any day of the week.
Why FedNow is a big deal for USD payments
Speed and availability matter when you are waiting on a payment. A transfer that takes two business days can disrupt your cash flow, especially when weekends or public holidays fall in between.
FedNow changes that equation. Because it operates in real time and around the clock, there is no waiting for a banking window to open, no batch-processing delays, and no weekend hold. A sender can initiate a transfer on a Sunday evening, and it can land in your Cleva account within seconds.
For Cleva users who receive frequent USD payments, from clients, employers, or individuals overseas, this payment network adds a genuinely faster option to the mix. And because it costs no more than ACH, there is no trade-off between speed and cost.
Frequently Asked Questions about FedNow on Cleva
1. What is FedNow?
This is a real-time payment rail operated by the U.S. Federal Reserve. It allows banks to send and receive payments in seconds, around the clock.
2. Is FedNow different from ACH?
Yes. ACH processes payments in batches and can take hours or days. FedNow processes payments in real time and can deliver funds in seconds.
3. Do I need to set anything up to receive FedNow payments on Cleva?
No. It is already active on your Cleva account. No setup or activation is needed on your end.
4. Does FedNow work on weekends?
Yes. It operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and public holidays.
5. Is FedNow available for both individual and business Cleva accounts?
Yes. Both individual and business Cleva accounts can receive FedNow payments.
6. Does receiving a FedNow payment cost more than ACH?
No. Pricing is the same: $1 for transfers below $300 and $3 for transfers of $300 and above.
7. Does every bank in the U.S. support FedNow?
Not yet. FedNow is still being adopted across U.S. banks. If the sender’s bank does not support it, they can still send via ACH or Wire, and those standard timelines will apply.
8. What are the deposit limits for FedNow on Cleva?
Your existing Cleva limits apply. Third-party deposits remain capped at $1,000 per day.
Conclusion
FedNow gives Cleva users a faster, more flexible way to receive USD. With real-time processing, 24/7 availability, no extra setup, and no added cost, it is one of the most meaningful upgrades to the USD payment experience on Cleva.
The next time someone sends money to your Cleva account, let them know they can select FedNow for near-instant delivery. Your account is already ready to receive it.
If you are not on Cleva yet, now is a great time to get started and enjoy faster, smarter USD payments with ease. Sign up on Cleva today.
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