Collection of Checks and Other Items by Federal Reserve Banks and Funds Transfers Through Fedwire

AGENCY:

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board).

ACTION:

Proposed rule, request for comment.

SUMMARY:

The Board is proposing amendments to Regulation J to govern funds transfers through the Federal Reserve Banks' (Reserve Banks) new FedNow^SM Service by establishing a new subpart C. The Board is also proposing changes and clarifications to subpart B, governing the Fedwire Funds Service, to reflect the fact that the Reserve Banks will be operating a second funds transfer service in addition to the Fedwire Funds Service, as well as proposing technical corrections to subpart A, governing the check service.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted by August 10, 2021.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. R-1750; RIN 7100-AG16, by any of the following methods:

• Agency Website: http://www.federalreserve.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments at http://www.federalreserve.gov/generalinfo/foia/ProposedRegs.cfm.
• Email: regs.comments@federalreserve.gov. Include the docket number and RIN in the subject line of the message.
• Fax: (202) 452-3819 or (202) 452-3102.
• Mail: Ann E. Misback, Secretary, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 20th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20551.

All public comments will be made available on the Board's website at http://www.federalreserve.gov/generalinfo/foia/ProposedRegs.cfm as submitted, unless modified for technical reasons or to remove sensitive personal information at the commenter's request. Public comments may also be viewed electronically or in paper in Room 146, 1709 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jess Cheng, Senior Counsel (202) 452-2309, Gavin L. Smith, Senior Counsel (202) 452-3474, Legal Division, or Ian C.B. Spear, Manager (202) 452-3959, Kirstin E. Wells, Principal Economist (202) 452-2962, Division of Reserve Bank Operations and Payment Systems; for users of Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) only, contact (202) 263-4869.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

Instant payment services have emerged globally over the past two decades to address the enhanced speed and convenience expected by the public for payment transactions in modern digital economies. Instant payments allow individuals and businesses to send and receive payments at any time of the day, on any day of the year, and to complete those payments within seconds (from the end user perspective) such that the beneficiary has access immediately to final funds, meaning funds they can use at that time. Beyond speed and convenience, instant payments can yield real economic benefits for individuals and businesses by providing them with more flexibility to manage their money and allowing them to make time-sensitive payments whenever needed. In light of these potential benefits, there is broad consensus within the U.S. payment community that, just as real-time services have become standard for other everyday activities, instant payment services have the potential to become widely used, resulting in a significant and positive impact on the U.S. economy.

In 2019, the Board issued a Federal Register notice announcing that the Reserve Banks would develop a new interbank 24x7x365 real-time gross settlement service with integrated clearing functionality, called the FedNow Service, to support instant payments in the United States (the 2019 Notice). The Board's determination was based on the public benefits that the service would provide and the Board's assessment that such a service would meet the requirements of the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act of 1980, as well as the Board's criteria for new or enhanced Federal Reserve payment services. The FedNow Service will operate alongside similar services provided by the private sector to provide core infrastructure supporting instant payments in the United States. In the 2019 Notice, the Board also requested comment on all aspects of the planned service. One proposed aspect was that banks would be required to make funds associated with individual instant payments available to their end-user customers immediately after receiving notification from the service that an instant payment had settled.

In August 2020, the Board issued a subsequent Federal Register notice describing the FedNow Service details (the 2020 Notice), based on additional analysis informed by the comments received in response to the 2019 Notice. In that notice, the Board approved, among other things, the aspect of immediate funds availability proposed in the 2019 Notice. The Board also indicated that it was assessing applicable laws and regulations, and, to the extent changes to the Board's regulations were needed, including to clarify funds availability, the Board would request public comment.

The Board has completed its assessment with respect to Regulation J and is issuing this request for comment on the regulation incorporating changes to provide a legal framework for the FedNow Service. The Board's proposed amendments to Regulation J establish a new subpart C to govern funds transfers made through the FedNow Service and amend the title of the regulation. The Board is also proposing technical changes and clarifications to subpart B, which governs funds transfers through the Fedwire Funds Service, to reflect the fact that the Reserve Banks will be operating two funds transfer services. The Board is further proposing technical corrections to subpart A of the regulation, which governs the collection of checks and other items by the Reserve Banks.

II. Overview of Proposed Regulation J Amendments

Subpart B of Regulation J currently specifies the rules applicable to funds transfers handled by Reserve Banks over the Fedwire Funds Service. Subpart B would not apply to transfers over the new FedNow Service, which will be a separate funds transfer service operated by the Reserve Banks. The Board is proposing a new subpart C of Regulation J to provide a comprehensive set of rules governing funds transfers over the FedNow Service. As it did for subpart B, the Board proposes to adopt a commentary to subpart C that would constitute a Board interpretation of the regulation.

In general, the proposed new subpart C of Regulation J specifies the terms and conditions under which Reserve Banks will process funds transfers over the FedNow Service, as well as grants the Reserve Banks authority to issue an operating circular for the FedNow Service, which would detail more specific terms and conditions governing the FedNow Service consistent with the proposed subpart. Additionally, proposed subpart C's terms of service include a requirement for a FedNow participant that is the beneficiary's bank to make funds available to the beneficiary immediately after it has accepted the payment order over the service. Proposed new subpart C also expands and clarifies the applicability of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Article 4A to all transfers over the FedNow Service, subject to a limited number of modifications and clarifications that are consistent with the purposes of UCC Article 4A.

UCC Article 4A, which has been adopted in all 50 states, provides comprehensive rules governing the rights and responsibilities of the parties to funds transfers. The rights and responsibilities covered in UCC Article 4A include those with respect to the receipt, acceptance or rejection, and execution of a payment order and settlement of a payment obligation; liability for the late, erroneous, or improper execution of funds transfers; the risks of loss associated with an unauthorized payment order; the obligation to pay for and the right to receive payment for a payment order; and the effect of payment by funds transfer on any underlying obligation between an originator and a beneficiary of a funds transfer.

The Board incorporated UCC Article 4A, as approved by the American Law Institute and the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws in 1989, into Regulation J for purposes of the Fedwire Funds Service and proposes to do the same for the FedNow Service. The Board believes that this incorporation is necessary to ensure that the law applicable to all transfers over the FedNow Service is consistent, predictable, and clear. The Board also proposes to replace the currently incorporated 1989 version of UCC Article 4A with the more recent 2012 version and to set forth those provisions in Appendix A of part 210, rather than in Appendix B of subpart B where they are currently set forth.

Other minor changes are also proposed to Regulation J to make clarifying amendments to subpart B and technical corrections in subpart A. The Board does not believe that the proposed amendments to subparts A and B would impose additional operating burdens on any parties.

The Board requests comment on all aspects of the proposed amendment to Regulation J and the specific questions posed below.

III. Section-by-Section Analysis

A. Subparts A and B

The Board is proposing technical corrections in subpart A of Regulation J to update cross-references to other regulations that are no longer current.

Additionally, the Board is proposing amendments to subpart B, governing funds transfers through the Fedwire Funds Service, to reflect the fact that the Reserve Banks will be operating two separate funds transfer systems with the launch of the FedNow Service and distinguish between the two services. For example, the proposed amendments include clarifications to § 210.25(b) with respect to subpart B's scope of application and modifications to the definitions of the following terms: Beneficiary, beneficiary's bank, payment order, receiving bank, and sender. These proposed amendments are intended to clarify that the provisions of subpart B are limited to payment orders and parties to a funds transfer that are sent through the Fedwire Funds Service; payment orders and parties to a funds transfer that are sent through the FedNow Service, for example, would not be governed by subpart B.

Additionally, the proposed amendments to subpart B include changes to update § 210.25(c), which authorizes Reserve Banks to issue operating circulars consistent with the subpart in connection with the Fedwire Funds Service. The proposed revisions explicitly authorize Reserve Banks to issue operating circulars that specify the time and method of receipt, execution, and acceptance of a payment order and settlement of a Reserve Bank's payment obligation for purposes of UCC Article 4A; specify service terms governing ancillary features of the Fedwire Funds Service; and provide for the acceptance of documents in electronic form to the extent any provision in UCC Article 4A requires an agreement or other document to be in writing.

The proposed amendments to subpart B further include minor changes to § 210.28(b)(3) to provide that the security interest that a sender grants to a Reserve Bank is with respect to all of the sender's assets in the possession of, as well as in the control of, or held for the account of, the Reserve Bank; additional revisions are proposed to the commentary to that section to clarify its description of relevant UCC Article 4A provisions.

Additionally, the proposed amendments to subpart B include a minor change to § 210.30 to clarify that a sender may not send a payment order to a Reserve Bank that specifies an execution date, nor may it specify a payment date, that is later than the day on which the payment order is issued, unless the Reserve Bank agrees with the sender in writing to follow such instructions.

The proposed amendments to subpart B also include a clarifying revision to § 210.32, which governs the payment of compensation by Reserve Banks in the form of interest. Section 210.32 provides that, when a Reserve Bank is obligated to pay compensation to another party in connection with its handling of a funds transfer under UCC Article 4A, the Reserve Bank shall pay compensation in the form of interest to its sender, its receiving bank, its beneficiary, or another party to the funds transfer that is entitled to such payment. The proposed revisions refer to these payments as “compensation” rather than interest payments. The Board believes this clarification would help remove any confusion that such payment is related to any purpose other than compensation, such as monetary policy transmission.

Finally, the Board is proposing technical revisions in the commentary to subpart B to correct cross-references to UCC Article 1 and to update cross-references to statutes and other regulations that are no longer current.

B. Subpart C—Funds Transfers Through the FedNow Service

The Board is proposing to amend Regulation J to establish a new subpart C governing funds transfers over the FedNow Service. Many of the concepts embodied in the proposed subpart C are similar to those currently in subpart B of Regulation J. Like the Fedwire Funds Service, the FedNow Service is a real-time gross settlement system and a funds-transfer service under UCC Article 4A. However, a number of the proposed subpart C provisions have been tailored to the nature of the FedNow Service where it differs from that of the Fedwire Funds Service.

In particular, the FedNow Service is designed for the end-to-end transfer to be completed in a matter of seconds, as described in the 2020 Notice. This means that the beneficiary's bank would agree, as provided in proposed subpart C, that it will make funds available to the beneficiary immediately after it has accepted the payment order.

Another difference between the FedNow Service and the Fedwire Funds Service is that the FedNow Service will accommodate participants that choose to settle their activity over the service in the master account of a correspondent bank. In contrast, participants in the Fedwire Funds Service are limited to settling their activity over that service in their own master account. The terms of proposed subpart C reflect the fact that FedNow Service will support this additional mechanism for settling obligations that arise between Reserve Banks and FedNow participants.

Further, unlike the Fedwire Funds Service, which is designed to serve primarily as a large-value funds transfer system between institutional users, the FedNow Service is designed to also accommodate consumer use. Therefore, in the event that a transfer over the FedNow Service meets the definition of “electronic fund transfer” under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA), proposed subpart C provides that it would apply to the transfer but the EFTA would prevail to the extent of any inconsistency, as discussed further later.

Section 210.40 Authority, Purpose, and Scope

This proposed section summarizes the Board's authority to adopt this regulation and provides a description of how the subpart is organized. Similar to the rules governing the Fedwire Funds Service in subpart B, new subpart C would incorporate those provisions of UCC Article 4A (as set forth in an appendix to Regulation J) into subpart C that are not inconsistent with the provisions set forth expressly in subpart C.

Specifically, proposed subpart C provides that UCC Article 4A applies to all funds transfers over the FedNow Service, including a transfer from a consumer originator or a transfer to a consumer beneficiary that is carried out through the FedNow Service. Such a consumer transaction could potentially be subject to the EFTA. By its terms, UCC Article 4A would not apply to a funds transfer any part of which is governed by the EFTA. Therefore, absent this proposed section in subpart C, a number of important legal aspects with respect to these consumer transfers over the FedNow Service could potentially lack clear and consistent rules.

This proposed section provides that all transfers over the FedNow Service, including those transfers any portion of which is governed by the EFTA, are covered by subpart C (which incorporates UCC Article 4A by reference); however, in the event of an inconsistency between the provisions of subpart C and the EFTA, the proposed section provides that the EFTA would prevail to the extent of the inconsistency. The commentary accompanying this proposed provision in subpart C provides an illustrative example. The Board believes this proposed provision is necessary in order to provide a clear, consistent, and comprehensive set of rules for all funds transfers over the FedNow Service, consistent with the EFTA and the purposes of UCC Article 4A.

This proposed section also specifies the parties subject to proposed subpart C with respect to the FedNow Service. These parties would include senders that send payment orders to a Reserve Bank over the service, receiving banks that receive payment orders from a Reserve Bank over the service, beneficiaries that receive payment for payment orders by means of a credit to their settlement account with a Reserve Bank, and Reserve Banks that send or receive payment orders over the FedNow Service.

For example, suppose that Payor has an account with Bank A and instructs Bank A to pay $1,000 to Payee's account at Bank B, and Bank A carries out Payor's instruction using the FedNow Service. Suppose further that Bank A and Bank B maintain accounts on the books of different Reserve Banks. In this example, the Reserve Bank of Bank A and the Reserve Bank of Bank B would be intermediary banks; Bank A would be the sender with respect to the payment order that it sends to its Reserve Bank; Bank B would be the receiving bank with respect to the payment order that it receives from its Reserve Bank.

In this example, the Reserve Banks of Bank A and Bank B would be subject to proposed subpart C, because they are Reserve Banks sending or receiving payment orders over the FedNow Service. It is possible that a Reserve Bank may also be subject to subpart C in its capacity as a beneficiary's bank with respect to a payment order (e.g., interbank credit transfers between FedNow participants). For other capacities, however, a Reserve Bank would not be a party to the funds transfer for purposes of proposed subpart C and UCC Article 4A. For example, if a sender settles its activity over the FedNow Service in the account of a correspondent bank, the sender's Reserve Bank would be an intermediary bank in the funds transfer chain, but the Reserve Bank of the correspondent bank would not be a sender or receiving bank with respect to the payment order and would not be a party to the funds transfer.

Under the proposed section, subpart C would also apply to any party to a funds transfer sent through the FedNow Service that is in privity (i.e., has a contractual relationship) with a Reserve Bank in the funds transfer chain. Other parties to a funds transfer sent through the FedNow Service (i.e., a party not in privity with a Reserve Bank, such as Payor and Payee in the example above) would be covered by this proposed subpart only under certain circumstances. If these remote parties have notice that the FedNow Service might be used for their funds transfer and that subpart C is the governing law with respect to the transfer over the FedNow Service, then proposed subpart C would govern their rights and obligations with respect to the FedNow Service. However, it is possible for that remote party to expressly select by agreement a governing law other than subpart C with respect to its rights and obligations in connection with that transfer. For example, Payor and Bank A in the example above could make an agreement selecting the law of a particular jurisdiction, and not subpart C, to govern rights and obligations between each other. In that event, the law of that jurisdiction would govern those rights and obligations, and not subpart C, even if the remote party (Payor) had notice that the FedNow Service may be used and that subpart C is the governing law with respect to the transfer over the FedNow Service.

Finally, this proposed section authorizes Reserve Banks to issue operating circulars which would detail more specific terms and conditions governing the FedNow Service consistent with the proposed subpart. Similar to the rules governing the Fedwire Funds Service in subpart B and the proposed clarifying edits to subpart B, new subpart C would authorize the Reserve Banks to issue operating circulars with respect to the FedNow Service that may set cut-off hours and funds-transfer business days; address security procedures offered by the Reserve Banks to verify the authenticity of a payment order; specify format and media requirements for payment orders; identify messages that are not payment orders; specify the time and method of receipt, execution, and acceptance of a payment order and settlement of a Reserve Bank's payment obligation for purposes of UCC Article 4A; specify service terms governing ancillary features of the FedNow Service; provide for the acceptance of documents in electronic form to the extent any provision in UCC Article 4A requires an agreement or other document to be in writing; and impose charges for funds transfer services.

Reflecting aspects where the FedNow Service differs from the Fedwire Funds Service, the proposed section further provides that Reserve Bank operating circulars governing the FedNow Service may also prescribe time limits for the processing of payment orders.

Section 210.41 Definitions

This proposed section defines the terms used in the regulation. Similar to subpart B, proposed subpart C generally incorporates the definitions set forth in UCC Article 4A (e.g., beneficiary, intermediary bank, receiving bank, and security procedure), in some instances with modifications. Specifically, the proposed subpart modifies the definitions of five UCC Article 4A terms: Beneficiary, beneficiary's bank, payment order, receiving bank, and sender. In general, these modifications are intended to clarify that, for the purposes of subpart C, these terms would be limited to payment orders and parties in a funds transfer that are sent through the FedNow Service. Parties to a funds transfer that is sent through the Fedwire Funds Service, for example, would not be a “beneficiary,” “beneficiary's bank,” “receiving bank,” or “sender” as those terms are defined in proposed subpart C.

This proposed section also includes definitions of other terms not defined in UCC Article 4A, including “sender's settlement account,” “receiving bank's settlement account,” and “beneficiary's settlement account.” These terms reflect the fact that a FedNow participant may settle its activity over the FedNow Service in either its master account with a Reserve Bank or, alternatively, the master account of a correspondent bank with a Reserve Bank. Whether it is its own master account or that of a correspondent, a FedNow participant would need to designate a settlement account on the books of a Reserve Bank that the Reserve Banks may use to settle the participant's activity over the FedNow Service.

This proposed section also includes a definition of the term “Federal Reserve Bank” with respect to an entity, which is not a term defined in UCC Article 4A. In instances where a FedNow participant maintains an account with a Reserve Bank, this proposed section takes an approach similar to the rules governing the Fedwire Funds Service in subpart B. In those instances, the term “Federal Reserve Bank” with respect to the FedNow participant means the Reserve Bank at which the participant maintains an account. To reflect the fact that the FedNow Service will also accommodate participants that choose to settle their activity over the service in the master account of a correspondent bank, the proposed definition also addresses instances where a FedNow participant does not maintain a master account with a Reserve Bank. In those instances, the term “Federal Reserve Bank” with respect to that participant means the Reserve Bank in whose District the participant is located, as determined under the procedure described in Part 204 of this chapter (Regulation D), even if the participant is not otherwise subject to that section. As noted above, the Reserve Bank of the participant would be a party to the funds transfer, but the Reserve Bank of its correspondent bank would not be a party to the funds transfer.

Section 210.42 Reliance on Identifying Number

This proposed section provides that a Reserve Bank may rely on the number in the payment order identifying the beneficiary's bank or the beneficiary, consistent with UCC Article 4A. As a practical matter, reliance on identifying numbers enables banks to more efficiently process payment orders by automated means. Rather than manual processing of payment orders with human reading of the contents of the order, banks typically use machines to read orders that, using a standard format, identify the beneficiary's bank by routing number or the beneficiary by the number of a bank account, or by other identifying number. This standard format might also allow for the inclusion of additional information in the payment order (e.g., the name of the beneficiary's bank or the beneficiary) that can be useful for reference, even if not relied upon to process the payment order.

If a payment order contains both the identifying number and the name of the beneficiary's bank or beneficiary supplied by the originator of the funds transfer, it might be possible for a receiving bank processing the order to detect an inconsistency and determine that the name and number do not refer to the same party. UCC Article 4A provides that a bank is under no duty to make such a determination that the identifying number and name refer to the same party in processing the payment order. If such a duty were imposed, the benefits of automated payments would be significantly lost; these benefits include the substantial economies of operation and the reduction in the possibility of clerical error. Rather, UCC Article 4A allows receiving banks to act on the basis of the identifying number, without regard to name provided in the payment order, so long as the bank does not know the name and number refer to different parties.

Consistent with UCC Article 4A, proposed § 210.42 provides that a Reserve Bank, as receiving bank, may rely on the routing number of the beneficiary's bank specified in a payment order as identifying the appropriate beneficiary's bank, even if the payment order identifies another bank by name, provided that the Reserve Bank does not know of the inconsistency. Similarly, a Reserve Bank, where it acts as the beneficiary's bank, may rely on the number identifying a beneficiary, such as the beneficiary's account number, specified in a payment order as identifying the appropriate beneficiary, even if the payment order identifies another beneficiary by name, provided that the Reserve Bank does not know of the inconsistency.

The proposed section also serves to provide notice to nonbank senders that send payment orders directly to a Reserve Bank through the FedNow Service that the Reserve Bank may rely on the numbers in the payment orders identifying the beneficiary's bank and the beneficiary.

Section 210.43 Agreement of Sender

Proposed § 210.43 describes when an obligation to pay arises for FedNow participants that send a payment order over the FedNow Service and how that obligation is discharged. Under that proposed section, when a sender sends a payment order to a Reserve Bank over the FedNow Service and the Reserve Bank accepts the payment order, the sender has an obligation to pay the Reserve Bank for the amount of the payment order. This proposed section further specifies that the obligation of the sender is paid by a debit to the settlement account of the sender. This approach is generally similar to that taken by subpart B for the Fedwire Funds Service, but it has been adjusted to reflect the fact that the FedNow Service will accommodate participants that choose to settle their activity over the service in the master account of a correspondent bank. The proposed section, therefore, provides that the sender authorizes its Reserve Bank to obtain payment for a payment order by debiting, or causing another Reserve Bank (i.e., the Reserve Bank of the correspondent bank, if one is used) to debit, the amount of the payment order from the settlement account.

In addition, this proposed section includes provisions addressing overdrafts, taking an approach similar to that of subpart B, with adjustments to reflect the fact that the participant activity over the FedNow Service will settle in settlement accounts designated by the FedNow participant. The proposed section establishes that a sender does not have a right to an overdraft in its settlement account and sets out the sender's obligations to ensure there are sufficient funds in its settlement account and to cover any overdraft by the time the overdraft becomes due and payable. This section also provides a Reserve Bank with a security interest in the sender's assets held at any Reserve Bank to secure any obligation owed and also specifies the actions a Reserve Bank may take to recover the amount of an overdraft, including set-off and realization of collateral. Finally, this proposed section clarifies that settlement accounts could be subject to overdraft charges, where applicable.

Section 210.44 Agreement of Receiving Bank

With respect to FedNow participants that receive payment orders over the service and accept the order, § 210.44 specifies how the participant receives payment. The proposed section provides that for payment orders that a receiving bank receives from a Reserve Bank over the FedNow Service, payment for the order is made by credit to the settlement account of the receiving bank. This approach is generally similar to that taken by the rules governing the Fedwire Funds Service in subpart B, with adjustments to reflect the fact that the FedNow Service will accommodate settlement in a participant's own master account or, if the participant chooses, the master account of a correspondent bank. Specifically, the proposed section provides that the receiving bank authorizes its Reserve Bank to pay for the payment order by crediting, or causing another Reserve Bank (i.e., the Reserve Bank of the correspondent bank, if one is used), to credit the amount of the payment order to the settlement account.

The proposed section also includes a requirement for a FedNow participant that is the beneficiary's bank to make funds available to the beneficiary immediately after its acceptance of the payment order over the service. As noted above, this requirement reflects the fact that an end-to-end transfer over the FedNow Service is intended to be completed in a matter of seconds. Under the proposed section, if a FedNow participant accepts a payment order over the service, it must pay the beneficiary by crediting the beneficiary's account, and it must do so immediately after its acceptance of the payment order. The Board specifically requests comment on whether the regulation should set out specific time parameters to clarify the meaning of “immediately” as used in this funds availability requirement and, if so, whether a timeframe of within seconds or, alternatively, within one minute after the bank has accepted the payment order would be reasonable.

Relatedly, the proposed section states that the rights and obligations with respect to the availability of funds are also governed by the Expedited Funds Availability Act (EFAA) and its implementing regulation, Regulation CC. Regulation CC provides that funds received by a bank by an electronic payment shall be available for withdrawal not later than the business day after the banking day on which such funds are received. The proposed new subpart C would require funds to be made available on a more prompt basis than the availability requirements of the EFAA and Regulation CC. Proposed § 210.44 therefore clarifies that the EFAA and Regulation CC requirements continue to apply independently of subpart C. The proposed commentary provides an example where a beneficiary's bank has failed to satisfy the immediate funds availability requirement under proposed subpart C, even if it has satisfied its obligations under Regulation CC.

The proposed section also clarifies that the obligation for the beneficiary's bank to provide immediate funds availability to the beneficiary does not affect any liability of the beneficiary's bank to the beneficiary, or any party other than a Reserve Bank, under UCC Article 4A or other law. The Board believes that the bank-customer relationship should be governed by existing law, rather than the funds availability timing requirement that would apply to a FedNow participant as a term of the service. The proposed commentary explains that the timing requirement in this section does not create any new rights that the beneficiary may assert against the beneficiary's bank or otherwise alter any rights of the beneficiary under UCC Article 4A or other applicable law.

Finally, the proposed section addresses certain circumstances in which a FedNow participant that is the beneficiary's bank requires additional time to determine whether to accept the payment order because it has reasonable cause to believe that the beneficiary is not entitled or permitted to receive payment. In those circumstances, if the FedNow participant notifies its Reserve Bank that it requires additional time, the FedNow participant would not be deemed to have accepted the payment order at such time as would otherwise be considered acceptance of the payment under proposed subpart C (i.e., when it receives payment from its Reserve Bank). The proposed commentary provides an example of when this provision might apply: When the beneficiary's bank has reasonable cause to believe that making funds available to the beneficiary may violate applicable U.S. sanctions. The Board specifically requests comment on whether this proposed section is sufficient to cover the likely range of circumstances where a FedNow participant may need additional time to determine whether to accept a payment order.

Section 210.45 Payment Orders

This proposed section sets forth the terms under which a Reserve Bank will accept payment orders from a sender over the FedNow Service. Similar to the rules governing the Fedwire Funds Service in subpart B, this proposed section provides that a sender must make arrangements with its Reserve Bank before it may send payment orders over the FedNow Service.

Also similar to subpart B, this proposed section provides that a Reserve Bank may reject any payment order or impose conditions on the acceptance of payment orders over the FedNow Service for any reason. The proposed commentary provides examples of when rejections might occur with respect to insufficient funds in the sender's settlement account and the lack of a required agreement concerning security procedures, which mirror the commentary examples in subpart B. The proposed commentary also includes a further example of when a rejection may occur: When a payment order is not successfully processed within time limits established by the Reserve Banks, which reflects the fact that the FedNow Service is designed for the end-to-end transfer to be completed in a matter of seconds.

This proposed section also provides terms with respect to the selection of an intermediary bank for a transfer over the FedNow Service. It takes a similar approach to that of subpart B with respect to the Fedwire Funds Service, with adjustments to reflect that the fact that for the FedNow Service, the Reserve Banks will be the only intermediary banks in the funds transfer chain. Reflecting this transaction structure for transfers over the FedNow Service, the proposed section provides that a FedNow participant may not send a payment order to a Reserve Bank that requires the Reserve Bank to issue a payment order to an intermediary bank other than another Reserve Bank. This proposed section also provides that a sender may not send a value-dated payment order through the FedNow Service, unless the Reserve Bank agrees with the sender in writing to follow such instructions.

Section 210.46 Payment by a Federal Reserve Bank to a Receiving Bank or Beneficiary

This proposed section addresses the timing of when a Reserve Bank makes payment to a receiving bank (when the Reserve Bank is an intermediary bank) or beneficiary (when the Reserve Bank is the beneficiary's bank). It adopts a similar approach as that taken by subpart B for the Fedwire Funds Service, but it has been adjusted to reflect the fact that the FedNow Service will also accommodate participants that choose to settle their activity over the service in the master account of a correspondent bank. The proposed section, therefore, provides that payment to a FedNow participant by Reserve Banks is final at the earlier of the time when the amount of the payment order is credited to the FedNow participant's settlement account (which may be the participant's own master account or the master account of its correspondent bank), or the time when the Reserve Bank sends to the FedNow participant either a conforming payment order or, in instances where the FedNow participant is the beneficiary, a notice of the credit. This payment would be final and irrevocable when made.

Section 210.47 Federal Reserve Bank Liability; Payment of Compensation

This proposed section addresses liability of the Reserve Banks, similar to the rules governing the Fedwire Funds Service in subpart B. It provides that, in connection with its handling of a payment order, a Reserve Bank shall not agree to be liable to a sender, receiving bank, beneficiary, or other Reserve Bank for consequential damages resulting from the Reserve Bank's failure to execute a payment order. This proposed section is consistent with the presumption in UCC Article 4A, under which damages for a receiving bank's failure to execute a payment order that it was obligated to execute by express agreement do not include consequential damages, unless they are provided for in an express written agreement of the receiving bank. This proposed section is not intended to affect the liability of parties more broadly. For example, it is not intended to affect the ability of parties to a funds transfer other than a Reserve Bank to agree to be liable for consequential damages.

Finally, this proposed section provides that where a Reserve Bank is obligated under UCC Article 4A to provide compensation in the form of interest to another party in connection with its handling of a funds transfer over the FedNow Service, the Reserve Bank may do so. In such cases where a Reserve Bank provides compensation in the form of interest, interest would be calculated in accordance with Article 4A. This proposed section adopts rules similar to the rules governing the Fedwire Funds Service in subpart B, with the proposed clarifying amendments to subpart B described above.

IV. Request for Comment

The Board requests comment on all aspects of the proposed amendments to Regulation J. The Board also requests comment on the following specific questions:

1. The proposed regulation requires a FedNow participant that is a beneficiary's bank to make funds available to the beneficiary immediately after it has accepted the payment order over the FedNow Service.

a. Should the Board set out specific time parameters to clarify the meaning of “immediately” as used in this funds availability requirement? Why or why not?

b. What would be the benefits and drawbacks of specifying that “immediately” as used in this requirement means that the beneficiary's bank must make funds available to the beneficiary within seconds or, alternatively, within one minute after it has accepted the payment order over the FedNow Service? Or, is there another way for the Board to specify the funds availability timeframe that is consistent with improving the speed of the end-to-end process for an instant payment service and continues to align with prevailing market practices over time?

2. The proposed regulation accommodates a feature of the FedNow Service under which a FedNow participant that is the beneficiary's bank may notify its Reserve Bank that it requires additional time to determine whether to accept the payment order over the FedNow Service because it has reasonable cause to believe that the beneficiary is not entitled or permitted to receive payment. Are there other circumstances where a beneficiary's bank should have additional time to determine whether to accept a payment order? If so, what are those circumstances?

V. Competitive Impact Analysis

The Board conducts a competitive impact analysis when it considers an operational or legal change, if that change would have a direct and material adverse effect on the ability of other service providers to compete with the Federal Reserve in providing similar services due to legal differences or due to the Federal Reserve's dominant market position deriving from such legal differences. All operational or legal changes having a substantial effect on payments-system participants will be subject to a competitive-impact analysis, even if competitive effects are not apparent on the face of the proposal. If such legal differences exist, the Board will assess whether the same objectives could be achieved by a modified proposal with lesser competitive impact or, if not, whether the benefits of the proposal (such as contributing to payments-system efficiency or integrity or other Board objectives) outweigh the materially adverse effect on competition.

The Board does not believe that the proposed amendments to Regulation J will have a direct and material adverse effect on the ability of other service providers to compete effectively with the Reserve Banks in providing similar services due to legal differences. The proposed rule incorporates UCC Article 4A, with revisions to reflect the nature of funds transfers over the FedNow Service and consistent with the purposes of UCC Article 4A. The proposed amendments do not govern similar services provided by private-sector providers. The proposed amendments also do not include provisions that a private-sector provider of similar services could not also adopt to similar effect through rules or operating procedures. Therefore, the Board does not believe that the proposed amendments would affect the competitive position of private-sector providers vis-à-vis the Reserve Banks.

VI. Administrative Law Matters

A. Paperwork Reduction Act

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506; 5 CFR part 1320 Appendix A.1), the Board may not conduct or sponsor, and a respondent is not required to respond to, an information collection unless it displays a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The Board reviewed the proposed rule under the authority delegated to the Board by the OMB and determined that it contains no collections of information under the PRA. Accordingly, there is no paperwork burden associated with the proposed rule.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

The Regulatory Flexibility Act (the “RFA”) (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires agencies either to provide an initial regulatory flexibility analysis with a proposed rule or to certify that the proposed rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. In accordance with section 3(a) of the RFA, the Board has reviewed the proposed regulation. In this case, the proposed rule would apply to all depository institutions that choose to use the Reserve Bank's FedNow Service, but the Board does not believe it will have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Nevertheless, this Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis has been prepared in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 603 in order for the Board to solicit comment on the effect of the proposal on small entities. The Board will, if necessary, conduct a final regulatory flexibility analysis after consideration of comments received during the public comment period.

1. Statement of the Need for, Objectives of, and Legal Basis for, the Proposed Rule

While the Reserve Banks can prescribe by agreement terms and conditions in providing the FedNow Service, the Board believes it is appropriate to bring the FedNow Service within the coverage of Regulation J. As discussed in previous sections, the main objective of the proposed amendments to Regulation J is to establish a new subpart C to govern funds transfers made through the FedNow Service.

2. Small Entities Affected by the Proposed Rule

The proposed amendments would apply to all depository institutions that choose to participate in the FedNow Service regardless of their size. Pursuant to regulations issued by the Small Business Administration (13 CFR 121.201), a “small banking organization” includes a depository institution with $550 million or less in total assets. Based on call report data, there are approximately 9,460 depository institutions that have total domestic assets of $550 million or less and thus are considered small entities for purposes of the RFA.

3. Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Other Compliance Requirements

Other than noted here, there are no new projected reporting, recordkeeping, or other compliance requirements and no substantive changes to existing reporting, recordkeeping or other compliance requirements in the proposed amendments to Regulation J. Depository institutions that voluntarily choose to use the FedNow Service will have to comply with the applicable provisions of this proposed rule, which include the requirement on the availability of funds.

4. Identification of Duplicative, Overlapping, or Conflicting Federal Rules

The Board has not identified any likely duplication and/or potential conflict between the proposed regulatory amendments and any other Federal rule. While some overlap exists between the proposed amendments and EFAA (implemented in Regulation CC), as discussed above, the regulatory overlap does not create conflicting federal rules. Regulation CC's availability requirements apply to all electronic payments and establish the outer bound of when those funds must be made available. The proposed requirements in Regulation J regarding availability establish a shorter time period for when funds must be made available than is required under Regulation CC and applies only to the subset of electronic payments that use the FedNow Service as a term of the service.

5. Significant Alternatives to the Proposed Rule

As discussed above, the Board has not identified any new or substantial change to regulatory burden associated with the proposed amendments to Regulation J, and the Board has not identified any significant alternatives that would otherwise reduce the regulatory burden on small entities.

C. Solicitation of Comments on Use of Plain Language

Section 722 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (Pub. L. 106-102, 113 Stat. 1338, 1471, 12 U.S.C. 4809) requires the Federal banking agencies to use plain language in all proposed and final rules published after January 1, 2000. The Board has sought to present the proposed rule in a simple and straightforward manner, and invites comment on the use of plain language and whether any part of the proposed rule could be more clearly stated.

List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 210

• Banks, banking
• Federal Reserve System

For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Board proposes to amend 12 CFR part 210 as follows:

PART 210—COLLECTION OF CHECKS AND OTHER ITEMS BY FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS AND FUNDS TRANSFERS THROUGH THE FEDWIRE FUNDS SERVICE AND THE FEDNOW SERVICE (REGULATION J)

1. The authority citation for part 210 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 248(i), (j), and 248-1, 342, 360, 464, 4001-4010, and 5001-5018.

2. Revise the heading to part 210 as shown above.

3. Revise § 210.2 to read as follows:

4. Amend subpart B of part 210 by:

a. Revising the heading to subpart B of part 210 to read as follows:

Subpart B—Funds Transfers Through the Fedwire Funds Service

b. Removing the words “Appendix B of this subpart” and “Appendix B to this subpart” and replace with the words “Appendix A of this part 210” wherever they appear.

5. In § 210.25, revise paragraphs (b)(2) and (c) to read as follows:

6. Revise § 210.26 to read as follows:

7. In § 210.28, revise paragraphs (b)(1) through (3) to read as follows:

8. In § 210.30, revise paragraphs (b) and (c) to read as follows:

9. In § 210.32, revise the section heading and paragraph (b) to read as follows:

10. In Appendix A of subpart B of part 210:

a. Under “ Section 210.25—Authority, Purpose, and Scope,” revise paragraphs (a), (b)(1) through (6), and (c);

b. Revise “ Section 210.26—Definitions;”

c. Under “ Section 210.28—Agreement of Sender,” revise paragraphs (a), (b)(1) and (2), and (c)(2);

d. Under “ Section 210.30—Payment Orders,” revise paragraphs (b)(2) and (c); and

e. Under “ Section 210.32—Federal Reserve Bank Liability; Payment of Compensation,” revise the heading and paragraphs (a)(2), (b)(1) through (3), and (c).

The revisions read as follows:

Appendix A of Subpart B of Part 210—Commentary

Section 210.25—Authority, Purpose, and Scope

(a) Authority and purpose. Section 210.25(a) states that the purpose of subpart B of this part is to provide rules to govern funds transfers through the Fedwire Funds Service and recites the Board's rulemaking authority for this subpart. Subpart B of this part is federal law and is not a “funds-transfer system rule” as defined in section 4A-501(b) of Article 4A, Funds Transfers, of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), as set forth in appendix A of this part. Certain provisions of Article 4A may not be varied by a funds-transfer system rule, but under section 4A-107, regulations of the Board and operating circulars of the Federal Reserve Banks supersede inconsistent provisions of Article 4A to the extent of the inconsistency. In addition, regulations of the Board may preempt inconsistent provisions of state law. Accordingly, subpart B of this part supersedes or preempts inconsistent provisions of state law. It does not affect state law governing funds transfers that does not conflict with the provisions of subpart B of this part, such as Article 4A as enacted in any state, as such state law may apply to parties to funds transfers through the Fedwire Funds Service whose rights and obligations are not governed by subpart B of this part.

(b) Scope. (1) Subpart B of this part incorporates the provisions of Article 4A set forth in appendix A of this part. The provisions set forth expressly in the sections of subpart B of this part supersede or preempt any inconsistent provisions of Article 4A as set forth in appendix A of this part or as enacted in any state. The official comments to Article 4A are not incorporated in subpart B of this part or this commentary to subpart B of this part, but the official comments may be useful in interpreting Article 4A as set forth in appendix A of this part. Because section 4A-105 refers to other provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code (e.g., definitions in article 1 of the UCC), these other provisions of the UCC, as approved by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, which is now also known as the Uniform Law Commission, and the American Law Institute, from time to time, are also incorporated into subpart B of this part. Subpart B of this part applies to any party to a funds transfer over the Fedwire Funds Service that is in privity with a Federal Reserve Bank. These parties include a sender (bank or nonbank) that sends a payment order directly to a Federal Reserve Bank, a receiving bank that receives a payment order directly from a Federal Reserve Bank, and a beneficiary that receives credit to an account that it uses or maintains at a Federal Reserve Bank as payment for a payment order accepted by a Federal Reserve Bank. Other parties to a funds transfer over the Fedwire Funds Service are covered by subpart B of this part to the same extent subpart B would apply to them if subpart B were a “funds-transfer system rule” under Article 4A that selected subpart B of this part as the governing law.

(2) The scope of the applicability of a funds-transfer system rule under Article 4A is specified in section 4A-501(b), and the scope of the choice of law provision is specified in section 4A-507(c). Under section 4A-507(c), a choice of law provision is binding on the participants in a funds-transfer system and certain other parties having notice that the funds-transfer system might be used for the funds transfer and of the choice of law provision. The Uniform Commercial Code provides that a person has notice of a fact when the person has actual knowledge of it, receives a notice or notification of it, or has reason to know that it exists from all the facts and circumstances known to the person at the time in question. (See UCC section 1-202.) However, under sections 4A-507(b) and 4A-507(d), a choice of law by agreement of the parties takes precedence over a choice of law made by funds-transfer system rule.

(3) If originators, receiving banks, and beneficiaries that are not in privity with a Federal Reserve Bank have the notice contemplated by section 4A-507(c) or if those parties agree to be bound by subpart B of this part, subpart B of this part generally would apply to payment orders between those remote parties, including participants in other funds-transfer systems. For example, a payment order may be sent from an originator's bank through a funds-transfer system other than the Fedwire Funds Service to a receiving bank which, in turn, executes that payment order by sending a payment order through the Fedwire Funds Service. Similarly, a Federal Reserve Bank may send a payment order through the Fedwire Funds Service to a receiving bank that sends it through a funds-transfer system other than the Fedwire Funds Service to the beneficiary's bank. In the first example, if the originator's bank has notice that the Fedwire Funds Service may be used to effect part of the funds transfer, the sending of the payment order through the other funds-transfer system to the receiving bank will be governed by subpart B of this part unless the parties to the payment order have agreed otherwise. In the second example, if the beneficiary's bank has notice that the Fedwire Funds Service may be used to effect part of the funds transfer, the sending of the payment order to the beneficiary's bank through the other funds-transfer system will be governed by subpart B of this part unless the parties have agreed otherwise. In both cases, the other funds-transfer system's rules would also apply to, at a minimum, the portion of these funds transfers being made through that funds transfer system. Because subpart B of this part is federal law, subpart B of this part will take precedence over any funds-transfer system rule applicable to the remote sender or receiving bank or to a Federal Reserve Bank to the extent of any inconsistency. If remote parties to a funds transfer, a portion of which is sent through the Fedwire Funds Service, have expressly selected by agreement, in accordance with section 4A-507(b), a law other than subpart B of this part, subpart B of this part would not take precedence over the choice of law made by the agreement even though the remote parties had notice that the Fedwire Funds Service might be used and of the governing law. (See section 4A-507(d).) In addition, subpart B of this part would not apply to a funds transfer sent through another funds-transfer system where no Federal Reserve Bank handles the funds transfer, even though settlement for the funds transfer is made by means of a separate net settlement or funds transfer through the Fedwire Funds Service.

(4) Under section 4A-108, Article 4A does not apply to a funds transfer any part of which is governed by the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) (15 U.S.C. 1693 et seq.). In general, Fedwire funds transfers to or from consumer accounts are exempt from the EFTA and Regulation E (12 CFR part 1005). A funds transfer from a consumer originator or a funds transfer to a consumer beneficiary could be carried out in part through the Fedwire Funds Service and in part through an automated clearinghouse or other means that is subject to the EFTA or Regulation E. In these cases, subpart B would not govern the portion of the funds transfer that is governed by the EFTA or Regulation E. (See the commentary to § 210.26 in this appendix, “Payment Order”.)

(5) Section 919 of the EFTA, however, governs “remittance transfers,” which may include funds transfers over the Fedwire Funds Service. Section 919 of the EFTA sets out the obligations of remittance transfer providers with respect to consumer senders of remittance transfers. Section 919 of the EFTA generally does not affect the rights and obligations of financial institutions involved in a remittance transfer. To the extent that a Fedwire funds transfer is a “remittance transfer” governed by section 919 of the EFTA, it continues to be governed by subpart B of this part, except that, in the event of an inconsistency between the provisions of subpart B of this part and section 919 of the EFTA, section 919 of the EFTA shall prevail. For example, a consumer may initiate a remittance transfer governed by EFTA section 919 from the consumer's account at a depository institution, and the depository institution may initiate that transfer by sending a payment order to a Federal Reserve Bank through the Fedwire Funds Service. If the consumer subsequently exercised the right to cancel the remittance transfer and obtain a refund under the terms of section 919 of the EFTA, the depository institution would be required to comply with section 919 even if the institution does not have a right to reverse the payment order sent to the Federal Reserve Bank under subpart B of this part.

(6) Finally, section 4A-404(a) provides that a beneficiary's bank is obliged to pay the amount of a payment order to the beneficiary on the payment date unless acceptance of the payment order occurs on the payment date after the close of the funds-transfer business day of the bank. The Expedited Funds Availability Act provides that funds received by a bank by wire transfer shall be available for withdrawal not later than the business day after the business day on which such funds are received (12 U.S.C. 4002(a)). That act also preempts any provision of state law that was not effective on September 1, 1989, that is inconsistent with that act or its implementing Regulation CC (12 CFR part 229). Accordingly, the Expedited Funds Availability Act and Regulation CC may preempt section 4A-404(a) as enacted in any state. In order to ensure that section 4A-404(a), or other provisions of Article 4A, as incorporated in subpart B of this part, do not take precedence over provisions of the Expedited Funds Availability Act, this section 210.25(b)(4) provides that where subpart B of this part establishes rights or obligations that are also governed by the Expedited Funds Availability Act or Regulation CC, the Expedited Funds Availability Act or Regulation CC provision shall apply and subpart B of this part shall not apply.

(c) Operating Circulars. The Federal Reserve Banks issue Operating Circulars consistent with this subpart that contain additional provisions applicable to payment orders and other messages sent through the Fedwire Funds Service. Under section 4A-107, these Operating Circulars supersede inconsistent provisions of Article 4A, both as set forth in appendix A of this part and as enacted in any state. These Operating Circulars are not funds-transfer system rules, but, by their terms, they are binding on all parties covered by this subpart.

Section 210.26—Definitions

Article 4A defines many terms (e.g., beneficiary, intermediary bank, receiving bank, security procedure) used in subpart B of this part. These terms are defined or listed in sections 4A-103 through 4A-105. These terms, such as the term bank (defined in section 4A-105(d)(2)), may differ from comparable terms in subpart A and subpart C of this part. As subpart B of this part incorporates consistent provisions of Article 4A, it incorporates these definitions unless these terms are expressly defined otherwise in subpart B of this part. Subpart B modifies the definitions of five Article 4A terms, beneficiary, beneficiary's bank, payment order, receiving bank, and sender. Subpart B also defines terms not defined in Article 4A.

Article 4A. Article 4A means the version of that article of the Uniform Commercial Code set forth in appendix A of this part. It does not refer to the law of any particular state unless the context indicates otherwise. Subject to the express provisions of this subpart, this version of Article 4A is incorporated into this subpart and made federal law for transactions covered by subpart B of this part. (See § 210.25(b)(1) and accompanying commentary.) Because section 4A-105 refers to other provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code (e.g., definitions in article 1 of the UCC), these other provisions of the UCC, as approved by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, which is now also known as the Uniform Law Commission, and the American Law Institute, from time to time, are also incorporated into subpart B of this part.

Beneficiary, beneficiary's bank, receiving bank, and sender. The definitions of “beneficiary,” “beneficiary's bank,” “receiving bank,” and “sender” in subpart B of this part differ from the definitions in sections 4A-103(a)(2) through (4). The subpart B definitions clarify that, for the purposes of subpart B of this part, these terms are limited to parties in a funds transfer that is sent through the Fedwire Funds Service. For example, the parties to a funds transfer that is sent through the FedNow Service would be governed by subpart C of this part, and would not be a “beneficiary,” “beneficiary's bank,” “receiving bank,” or “sender” governed by subpart B of this part. The subpart B definition of “beneficiary's bank” further clarifies that where a Federal Reserve Bank functions as the beneficiary's bank, it need not be identified in the payment order as the beneficiary's bank and that a Federal Reserve Bank that receives a payment order as beneficiary is also the beneficiary's bank with respect to that payment order.

Fedwire Funds Service. This term refers to the funds-transfer system owned and operated by the Federal Reserve Banks that is governed by this subpart. The term does not refer to any particular computer, telecommunications facility, or funds transfer, but rather to the system as a whole, which may include transfers by telephone or by written instrument in particular circumstances. The term does not include the FedNow Service or the system used for automated clearing house transfers.

Off-line bank. Most Fedwire payment orders are sent electronically from a sender to a Federal Reserve Bank or from a Federal Reserve Bank to a receiving bank. Banks that send payment orders to Federal Reserve Banks electronically are often referred to as on-line banks. Some Fedwire Funds Service participants, however, send payment orders to a Federal Reserve Bank or receive payment orders from a Federal Reserve Bank orally by telephone or, in unusual circumstances, in writing. A bank that does not use either a terminal or a computer that links it electronically to a terminal or computer at its Federal Reserve Bank to send payment orders through the Fedwire Funds Service is an off-line bank.

Payment Order. (1) The definition of “payment order” in subpart B of this part differs from the section 4A-103(a)(1) definition. The subpart B definition clarifies that, for the purposes of subpart B of this part, the term includes only instructions transmitted through the Fedwire Funds Service. For example, instructions transmitted through the FedNow Service would be governed by subpart C of this part, and not subpart B of this part. Additionally, the subpart B definition provides that certain messages that are transmitted through the Fedwire Funds Service are not payment orders. Federal Reserve Banks and banks participating in the Fedwire Funds Service send various types of messages relating to payment orders or to other matters, through the Fedwire Funds Service, that are not intended to be payment orders. In some cases, messages sent through the Fedwire Funds Service, such as certain requests for credit transfer, may be payment orders under Article 4A, but are not treated as payment orders under subpart B of this part because they are not an instruction to a Federal Reserve Bank to pay or cause another bank to pay money. Under the subpart B definition, these messages are not “payment orders” governed by subpart B of this part. The operating circulars of the Federal Reserve Banks may specify those messages that may be transmitted through the Fedwire Funds Service but that are not payment orders.

(2) Subpart B of this part, including its incorporation of Article 4A, governs a payment order even though the originator's or beneficiary's account may be a consumer account established primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. Under section 4A-108, Article 4A does not apply to a funds transfer any part of which is governed by the Electronic Fund Transfer Act. That act and Regulation E (12 CFR part 1005) implementing it do not apply to funds transfers through the Fedwire Funds Service (see 15 U.S.C. 1693a(7)(B) and 12 CFR 1005.3(c)(3)), except that section 919 of the Electronic Fund Transfer Act may govern a Fedwire funds transfer that is a “remittance transfer.” Such remittance transfers that are Fedwire funds transfers continue to be governed by subpart B of this part. Thus, subpart B of this part applies to all funds transfers through the Fedwire Funds Service even though some such transfers involve originators or beneficiaries who are consumers. (See also § 210.25(b) and accompanying commentary.)

Section 210.28—Agreement of Sender

(a) Payment of sender's obligation to a Federal Reserve Bank. When a sender sends a payment order to a Federal Reserve Bank and the Federal Reserve Bank accepts the payment order by issuing a conforming order executing the sender's payment order, under section 4A-402 the sender is indebted to the Federal Reserve Bank for the amount of the payment order. Section 4A-403 specifies the various methods by which a sender may settle the obligation under section 4A-402. With respect to a payment order sent through the Fedwire Funds Service, the obligation of a sender (other than a Federal Reserve Bank) is settled by a debit to the account of the sender at a Federal Reserve Bank. Section 210.28(a) provides that a sender, other than a Federal Reserve Bank, that maintains or uses an account at a Federal Reserve Bank authorizes the Federal Reserve Bank to debit that account so that the Federal Reserve Bank can obtain payment for the payment order.

(b) Overdrafts. (1) In some cases, debits to a sender's account will create an overdraft in the sender's account. The Board and the Federal Reserve Banks have established policies concerning when a Federal Reserve Bank will permit a bank to incur an overdraft in its account at a Federal Reserve Bank. These policies do not give a bank or other sender a right to an overdraft in its account. Subpart B clarifies that a sender does not have a right to such an overdraft. If an overdraft arises, it becomes immediately due and payable at the earliest of the following times: The end of the Fedwire Funds Service funds-transfer business day; the time the Federal Reserve Bank, in its sole discretion, deems itself insecure and gives notice to the sender; or the time that the sender suspends payments or is closed by governmental action, such as the appointment of a receiver. In some cases, a Federal Reserve Bank extends its Fedwire Funds Service operations beyond the standard cut-off time for that funds-transfer business day. For the purposes of this section, unless otherwise specified by the Federal Reserve Bank making such an extension, an overdraft becomes due and payable at the end of the extended operating hours. An overdraft becomes due and payable prior to a Federal Reserve Bank's cut-off time if the Federal Reserve Bank deems itself insecure and gives notice to the sender. A Federal Reserve Bank that deems itself insecure may give such notice in accordance with the provisions on notice in section 1-202(d) of the UCC, in accordance with any other applicable law or agreement, or by any other reasonable means. An overdraft also becomes due and payable at the time that a bank is closed or suspends payments. For example, an overdraft becomes due and payable if a receiver is appointed for the bank or the bank is prevented from making payments by governmental order. The Federal Reserve Bank need not make demand on the sender for the overdraft to become due and payable.

(2) A sender must cover any overdraft and any other obligation of the sender to the Federal Reserve Bank by the time the overdraft becomes due and payable. By sending a payment order to a Federal Reserve Bank, the sender grants a security interest to the Federal Reserve Bank in all of the assets of the sender possessed or controlled by, or held for the account of, the Federal Reserve Bank in order to secure all obligations due or to become due to the Federal Reserve Bank. The security interest attaches when the overdraft, or other obligation of the sender to the Federal Reserve Bank, becomes due and payable. The security interest does not apply to assets held by the sender as custodian or trustee for the sender's customers or third parties. Once an overdraft is due and payable, a Federal Reserve Bank may exercise its right of setoff, liquidate collateral, or take other similar action to satisfy the obligation the sender owes to the Federal Reserve Bank.

(c) * * *

(2) Section 4A-505 provides that, in order for a customer to assert a claim objecting to a debit to its account by a receiving bank, the customer must notify the receiving bank of its objection within one year after the customer received notification reasonably identifying the payment order. Subpart B of this part does not vary this one-year claim preclusion period.

Section 210.30—Payment Orders

(b) * * *

(2) This section provides that in an interdistrict transfer, a Federal Reserve Bank is authorized and directed to select another Federal Reserve Bank as an intermediary bank. A sender may, however, instruct a Federal Reserve Bank to use a particular intermediary bank by designating that bank as the bank to be credited by that Federal Reserve Bank (or the second Federal Reserve Bank in the case of an interdistrict transfer) in its payment order, in which case the Federal Reserve Bank will send the payment order to that bank if that bank receives payment orders through the Fedwire Funds Service. A sender may not instruct a Federal Reserve Bank to use its discretion to select an intermediary bank other than a Federal Reserve Bank or an intermediary bank designated by the sender. In addition, a sender may not send a payment order through the Fedwire Funds Service that instructs a Federal Reserve Bank to use a funds-transfer system or means of transmission other than the Fedwire Funds Service unless the sender and the Federal Reserve Bank agree in writing to the use of that funds-transfer system or means of transmission.

(c) Execution date and payment date. Generally, the Fedwire Funds Service is a same-day value transfer system through which funds may be transferred from the originator to the beneficiary on the same funds-transfer business day. A sender may not send a payment order to a Federal Reserve Bank that specifies an execution date or payment date later than the day on which the payment order is issued, unless the sender of the order and the Federal Reserve Bank agree in writing to the arrangement.

Section 210.32—Federal Reserve Bank Liability; Payment of Compensation

(a) * * *

(2) This section does not affect the ability of other parties to a funds transfer to agree to be liable for consequential damages, the liability of a Federal Reserve Bank under section 4A-404 (relating to obligation of beneficiary's bank to pay and give notice to beneficiary), or the liability to parties governed by subpart B of this part for claims not based on the handling of a payment order under subpart B of this part.

(b) Payment of compensation. (1) Under article 4A, a Federal Reserve Bank may be required to pay compensation in the form of interest to another party in connection with its handling of a funds transfer. For example, payment of compensation in the form of interest is required in certain situations pursuant to sections 4A-204 (relating to refund of payment and duty of customer to report with respect to unauthorized payment order), 4A-209 (relating to acceptance of payment order), 4A-210 (relating to rejection of payment order), 4A-304 (relating to duty of sender to report erroneously executed payment order), 4A-305 (relating to liability for late or improper execution or failure to execute a payment order), 4A-402 (relating to obligation of sender to pay receiving bank), and 4A-404 (relating to obligation of beneficiary's bank to pay and give notice to beneficiary).

(2) Section 210.32(b) requires Federal Reserve Banks to provide compensation through payment in the form of interest. Under section 4A-506(a), the amount of such interest may be determined by agreement between the sender and receiving bank or by funds-transfer system rule. If there is no such agreement, under section 4A-506(b), the amount of interest is based on the federal funds rate. Similarly, compensation in the form of interest will be paid to government senders, receiving banks, or beneficiaries described in § 210.25(d) if they are entitled to interest under subpart B of this part. A Federal Reserve Bank may also, in its discretion, pay compensation in the form of interest directly to a remote party to a Fedwire funds transfer that is entitled to interest, rather than providing compensation to its sender or receiving bank.

(3) If a sender or receiving bank that received a payment of compensation is not the party entitled to compensation under Article 4A, the sender or receiving bank must pass the benefit of the payment made to it to the party that is entitled to compensation. The benefit may be passed on either in the form of a direct payment of interest or in the form of a compensating balance if the party entitled to interest agrees to accept the other form of compensation. In the latter case, the value of the compensating balance must be at least equivalent to the value of the interest payment that otherwise would have been provided.

(c) Nonwaiver of right of recovery. Several sections of Article 4A allow a party to a funds transfer to make a claim pursuant to the applicable law of mistake and restitution. Nothing in subpart B of this part or any operating circular issued in accordance with subpart B of this part waives any such claim by a Federal Reserve Bank. A Federal Reserve Bank, however, may waive such a claim by express written agreement in order to settle litigation or for other purposes.

Appendix B to Subpart B of Part 210—Article 4A, Funds Transfers [Removed]

11. Remove Appendix B of subpart B of part 210.

12. Add subpart C of part 210 to read as follows:

Appendix A of Subpart C of Part 210—Commentary

Subpart C—Funds Transfers Through the FedNow Service

13. Add Appendix A of part 210 to read as follows:

Appendix A of Part 210—Article 4A, Funds Transfers

Part 1—Subject Matter and Definitions

Section 4A-101. Short Title

This Article may be cited as Uniform Commercial Code—Funds Transfers.

Section 4A-102. Subject Matter

Except as otherwise provided in section 4A-108, this Article applies to funds transfers defined in section 4A-104.

Section 4A-103. Payment Order—Definitions

(a) In this Article:

(1) Payment order means an instruction of a sender to a receiving bank, transmitted orally, electronically, or in writing, to pay, or to cause another bank to pay, a fixed or determinable amount of money to a beneficiary if:

(i) The instruction does not state a condition to payment to the beneficiary other than time of payment,

(ii) The receiving bank is to be reimbursed by debiting an account of, or otherwise receiving payment from, the sender, and

(iii) The instruction is transmitted by the sender directly to the receiving bank or to an agent, funds-transfer system, or communication system for transmittal to the receiving bank.

(2) Beneficiary means the person to be paid by the beneficiary's bank.

(3) “Beneficiary's bank” means the bank identified in a payment order in which an account of the beneficiary is to be credited pursuant to the order or which otherwise is to make payment to the beneficiary if the order does not provide for payment to an account.

(4) Receiving bank means the bank to which the sender's instruction is addressed.

(5) Sender means the person giving the instruction to the receiving bank.

(b) If an instruction complying with paragraph (a)(1) of this section is to make more than one payment to a beneficiary, the instruction is a separate payment order with respect to each payment.

(c) A payment order is issued when it is sent to the receiving bank.

Section 4A-104. Funds Transfer—Definitions

In this Article:

(a) Funds transfer means the series of transactions, beginning with the originator's payment order, made for the purpose of making payment to the beneficiary of the order. The term includes any payment order issued by the originator's bank or an intermediary bank intended to carry out the originator's payment order. A funds transfer is completed by acceptance by the beneficiary's bank of a payment order for the benefit of the beneficiary of the originator's payment order.

(b) Intermediary bank means a receiving bank other than the originator's bank or the beneficiary's bank.

(c) Originator means the sender of the first payment order in a funds transfer.

(d) Originator's bank means (i) the receiving bank to which the payment order of the originator is issued if the originator is not a bank, or (ii) the originator if the originator is a bank.

Section 4A-105. Other Definitions

(a) In this Article:

(1) Authorized account means a deposit account of a customer in a bank designated by the customer as a source of payment of payment orders issued by the customer to the bank. If a customer does not so designate an account, any account of the customer is an authorized account if payment of a payment order from that account is not inconsistent with a restriction on the use of that account.

(2) Bank means a person engaged in the business of banking and includes a savings bank, savings and loan association, credit union, and trust company. A branch or separate office of a bank is a separate bank for purposes of this Article.

(3) Customer means a person, including a bank, having an account with a bank or from whom a bank has agreed to receive payment orders.

(4) Funds-transfer business day of a receiving bank means the part of a day during which the receiving bank is open for the receipt, processing, and transmittal of payment orders and cancellations and amendments of payment orders.

(5) Funds-transfer system means a wire transfer network, automated clearing house, or other communication system of a clearing house or other association of banks through which a payment order by a bank may be transmitted to the bank to which the order is addressed.

(6) Good faith means honesty in fact and the observance of reasonable commercial standards of fair dealing.

(7) Prove with respect to a fact means to meet the burden of establishing the fact (Section 1-201(8)).

(b) Other definitions applying to this Article and the sections in which they appear are:

“Acceptance”. . . . . Sec. 4A-209

“Beneficiary”. . . . . Sec. 4A-103

“Beneficiary's bank”. . . . . Sec. 4A-103

“Executed”. . . . . Sec. 4A-301

“Execution date”. . . . . Sec. 4A-301

“Funds transfer”. . . . . Sec. 4A-104

“Funds-transfer system rule”. . . . . Sec. 4A-501

“Intermediary bank”. . . . . Sec. 4A-104

“Originator”. . . . . Sec. 4A-104

“Originator's bank”. . . . . Sec. 4A-104

“Payment by beneficiary's bank to beneficiary”. . . . . Sec. 4A-405

“Payment by originator to beneficiary”. . . . . Sec. 4A-406

“Payment by sender to receiving bank”. . . . . Sec. 4A-403

“Payment date”. . . . . Sec. 4A-401

“Payment order”. . . . . Sec. 4A-103

“Receiving bank”. . . . . Sec. 4A-103

“Security procedure”. . . . . Sec. 4A-201

“Sender”. . . . . Sec. 4A-103

(c) The following definitions in Article 4 apply to this Article:

“Clearing house” . . . . . Sec. 4-104

“Item” . . . . . Sec. 4-104

“Suspends payments” . . . . . Sec. 4-104

(d) In addition Article 1 contains general definitions and principles of construction and interpretation applicable throughout this Article.

Section 4A-106. Time Payment Order is Received

(a) The time of receipt of a payment order or communication canceling or amending a payment order is determined by the rules applicable to receipt of a notice stated in Section 1-201(27). A receiving bank may fix a cut-off time or times on a funds-transfer business day for the receipt and processing of payment orders and communications canceling or amending payment orders. Different cut-off times may apply to payment orders, cancellations, or amendments, or to different categories of payment orders, cancellations, or amendments. A cut-off time may apply to senders generally or different cut-off times may apply to different senders or categories of payment orders. If a payment order or communication canceling or amending a payment order is received after the close of a funds-transfer business day or after the appropriate cut-off time on a funds-transfer business day, the receiving bank may treat the payment order or communication as received at the opening of the next funds-transfer business day.

(b) If this Article refers to an execution date or payment date or states a day on which a receiving bank is required to take action, and the date or day does not fall on a funds-transfer business day, the next day that is a funds-transfer business day is treated as the date or day stated, unless the contrary is stated in this Article.

Section 4A-107. Federal Reserve Regulations and Operating Circulars

Regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and operating circulars of the Federal Reserve Banks supersede any inconsistent provision of this Article to the extent of the inconsistency.

Section 4A-108. Relationship to Electronic Fund Transfer Act

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), this Article does not apply to a funds transfer any part of which is governed by the Electronic Fund Transfer Act of 1978 (Title XX, Public Law 95-630, 92 Stat. 3728, 15 U.S.C. 1693 et seq.) as amended from time to time.

(b) This Article applies to a funds transfer that is a remittance transfer as defined in the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (15 U.S.C. Sec. 1693o-1) as amended from time to time, unless the remittance transfer is an electronic fund transfer as defined in the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (15 U.S.C. Sec. 1693a) as amended from time to time.

(c) In a funds transfer to which this Article applies, in the event of an inconsistency between an applicable provision of this Article and an applicable provision of the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, the provision of the Electronic Fund Transfer Act governs to the extent of the inconsistency.

Part 2—Issue and Acceptance of Payment Order

Section 4A-201. Security Procedure

Security procedure means a procedure established by agreement of a customer and a receiving bank for the purpose of (i) verifying that a payment order or communication amending or canceling a payment order is that of the customer, or (ii) detecting error in the transmission or the content of the payment order or communication. A security procedure may require the use of algorithms or other codes, identifying words or numbers, encryption, callback procedures, or similar security devices. Comparison of a signature on a payment order or communication with an authorized specimen signature of the customer is not by itself a security procedure.

Section 4A-202. Authorized and Verified Payment Orders

(a) A payment order received by the receiving bank is the authorized order of the person identified as sender if that person authorized the order or is otherwise bound by it under the law of agency.

(b) If a bank and its customer have agreed that the authenticity of payment orders issued to the bank in the name of the customer as sender will be verified pursuant to a security procedure, a payment order received by the receiving bank is effective as the order of the customer, whether or not authorized, if (i) the security procedure is a commercially reasonable method of providing security against unauthorized payment orders, and (ii) the bank proves that it accepted the payment order in good faith and in compliance with the security procedure and any written agreement or instruction of the customer restricting acceptance of payment orders issued in the name of the customer. The bank is not required to follow an instruction that violates a written agreement with the customer or notice of which is not received at a time and in a manner affording the bank a reasonable opportunity to act on it before the payment order is accepted.

(c) Commercial reasonableness of a security procedure is a question of law to be determined by considering the wishes of the customer expressed to the bank, the circumstances of the customer known to the bank, including the size, type, and frequency of payment orders normally issued by the customer to the bank, alternative security procedures offered to the customer, and security procedures in general use by customers and receiving banks similarly situated. A security procedure is deemed to be commercially reasonable if (i) the security procedure was chosen by the customer after the bank offered, and the customer refused, a security procedure that was commercially reasonable for that customer, and (ii) the customer expressly agreed in writing to be bound by any payment order, whether or not authorized, issued in its name and accepted by the bank in compliance with the security procedure chosen by the customer.

(d) The term sender in this Article includes the customer in whose name a payment order is issued if the order is the authorized order of the customer under subsection (a) of this section, or it is effective as the order of the customer under subsection (b) of this section.

(e) This section applies to amendments and cancellations of payment orders to the same extent it applies to payment orders.

(f) Except as provided in this section and in section 4A-203(a)(1), rights and obligations arising under this section or section 4A-203 may not be varied by agreement.

Section 4A-203. Unenforceability of Certain Verified Payment Orders

(a) If an accepted payment order is not, under section 4A-202(a), an authorized order of a customer identified as sender, but is effective as an order of the customer pursuant to section 4A-202(b), the following rules apply:

(1) By express written agreement, the receiving bank may limit the extent to which it is entitled to enforce or retain payment of the payment order.

(2) The receiving bank is not entitled to enforce or retain payment of the payment order if the customer proves that the order was not caused, directly or indirectly, by a person (i) entrusted at any time with duties to act for the customer with respect to payment orders or the security procedure, or (ii) who obtained access to transmitting facilities of the customer or who obtained, from a source controlled by the customer and without authority of the receiving bank, information facilitating breach of the security procedure, regardless of how the information was obtained or whether the customer was at fault. Information includes any access device, computer software, or the like.

(b) This section applies to amendments of payment orders to the same extent it applies to payment orders.

Section 4A-204. Refund of Payment and Duty of Customer To Report With Respect to Unauthorized Payment Order

(a) If a receiving bank accepts a payment order issued in the name of its customer as sender which is (i) not authorized and not effective as the order of the customer under section 4A-202, or (ii) not enforceable, in whole or in part, against the customer under section 4A-203, the bank shall refund any payment of the payment order received from the customer to the extent the bank is not entitled to enforce payment and shall pay interest on the refundable amount calculated from the date the bank received payment to the date of the refund. However, the customer is not entitled to interest from the bank on the amount to be refunded if the customer fails to exercise ordinary care to determine that the order was not authorized by the customer and to notify the bank of the relevant facts within a reasonable time not exceeding 90 days after the date the customer received notification from the bank that the order was accepted or that the customer's account was debited with respect to the order The bank is not entitled to any recovery from the customer on account of a failure by the customer to give notification as stated in this section.

(b) Reasonable time under subsection (a) of this section may be fixed by agreement as stated in section 1-204(1), but the obligation of a receiving bank to refund payment as stated in subsection (a) may not otherwise be varied by agreement.

Section 4A-205. Erroneous Payment Orders

(a) If an accepted payment order was transmitted pursuant to a security procedure for the detection of error and the payment order (i) erroneously instructed payment to a beneficiary not intended by the sender, (ii) erroneously instructed payment in an amount greater than the amount intended by the sender, or (iii) was an erroneously transmitted duplicate of a payment order previously sent by the sender, the following rules apply:

(1) If the sender proves that the sender or a person acting on behalf of the sender pursuant to section 4A-206 complied with the security procedure and that the error would have been detected if the receiving bank had also complied, the sender is not obliged to pay the order to the extent stated in this paragraphs (2) and (3).

(2) If the funds transfer is completed on the basis of an erroneous payment order described in clause (i) or (iii) of subsection (a), the sender is not obliged to pay the order and the receiving bank is entitled to recover from the beneficiary any amount paid to the beneficiary to the extent allowed by the law governing mistake and restitution.

(3) If the funds transfer is completed on the basis of a payment order described in clause (ii) of subsection (a), the sender is not obliged to pay the order to the extent the amount received by the beneficiary is greater than the amount intended by the sender. In that case, the receiving bank is entitled to recover from the beneficiary the excess amount received to the extent allowed by the law governing mistake and restitution.

(b) If (i) the sender of an erroneous payment order described in subsection (a) is not obliged to pay all or part of the order, and (ii) the sender receives notification from the receiving bank that the order was accepted by the bank or that the sender's account was debited with respect to the order, the sender has a duty to exercise ordinary care, on the basis of information available to the sender, to discover the error with respect to the order and to advise the bank of the relevant facts within a reasonable time, not exceeding 90 days, after the bank's notification was received by the sender. If the bank proves that the sender failed to perform that duty, the sender is liable to the bank for the loss the bank proves it incurred as a result of the failure, but the liability of the sender may not exceed the amount of the sender's order.

(c) This section applies to amendments to payment orders to the same extent it applies to payment orders.

Section 4A-206. Transmission of Payment Order Through Funds-Transfer or Other Communication System

(a) If a payment order addressed to a receiving bank is transmitted to a funds-transfer system or other third-party communication system for transmittal to the bank, the system is deemed to be an agent of the sender for the purpose of transmitting the payment order to the bank. If there is a discrepancy between the terms of the payment order transmitted to the system and the terms of the payment order transmitted by the system to the bank, the terms of the payment order of the sender are those transmitted by the system. This section does not apply to a funds-transfer system of the Federal Reserve Banks.

(b) This section applies to cancellations and amendments of payment orders to the same extent it applies to payment orders.

Section 4A-207. Misdescription of Beneficiary

(a) Subject to subsection (b), if, in a payment order received by the beneficiary's bank, the name, bank account number, or other identification of the beneficiary refers to a nonexistent or unidentifiable person or account, no person has rights as a beneficiary of the order and acceptance of the order cannot occur.

(b) If a payment order received by the beneficiary's bank identifies the beneficiary both by name and by an identifying or bank account number and the name and number identify different persons, the following rules apply:

(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c), if the beneficiary's bank does not know that the name and number refer to different persons, it may rely on the number as the proper identification of the beneficiary of the order. The beneficiary's bank need not determine whether the name and number refer to the same person.

(2) If the beneficiary's bank pays the person identified by name or knows that the name and number identify different persons, no person has rights as beneficiary except the person paid by the beneficiary's bank if that person was entitled to receive payment from the originator of the funds transfer. If no person has rights as beneficiary, acceptance of the order cannot occur.

(c) If (i) a payment order described in subsection (b) is accepted, (ii) the originator's payment order described the beneficiary inconsistently by name and number, and (iii) the beneficiary's bank pays the person identified by number as permitted by subsection (b)(1), the following rules apply:

(1) If the originator is a bank, the originator is obliged to pay its order.

(2) If the originator is not a bank and proves that the person identified by number was not entitled to receive payment from the originator, the originator is not obliged to pay its order unless the originator's bank proves that the originator, before acceptance of the originator's order, had notice that payment of a payment order issued by the originator might be made by the beneficiary's bank on the basis of an identifying or bank account number even if it identifies a person different from the named beneficiary. Proof of notice may be made by any admissible evidence. The originator's bank satisfies the burden of proof if it proves that the originator, before the payment order was accepted, signed a writing stating the information to which the notice relates.

(d) In a case governed by subsection (b)(1), if the beneficiary's bank rightfully pays the person identified by number and that person was not entitled to receive payment from the originator, the amount paid may be recovered from that person to the extent allowed by the law governing mistake and restitution as follows:

(1) If the originator is obliged to pay its payment order as stated in subsection (c), the originator has the right to recover.

(2) If the originator is not a bank and is not obliged to pay its payment order, the originator's bank has the right to recover.

Section 4A-208. Misdescription of Intermediary Bank or Beneficiary's Bank

(a) This subsection applies to a payment order identifying an intermediary bank or the beneficiary's bank only by an identifying number.

(1) The receiving bank may rely on the number as the proper identification of the intermediary or beneficiary's bank and need not determine whether the number identifies a bank.

(2) The sender is obliged to compensate the receiving bank for any loss and expenses incurred by the receiving bank as a result of its reliance on the number in executing or attempting to execute the order.

(b) This subsection applies to a payment order identifying an intermediary bank or the beneficiary's bank both by name and an identifying number if the name and number identify different persons.

(1) If the sender is a bank, the receiving bank may rely on the number as the proper identification of the intermediary or beneficiary's bank if the receiving bank, when it executes the sender's order, does not know that the name and number identify different persons. The receiving bank need not determine whether the name and number refer to the same person or whether the number refers to a bank. The sender is obliged to compensate the receiving bank for any loss and expenses incurred by the receiving bank as a result of its reliance on the number in executing or attempting to execute the order.

(2) If the sender is not a bank and the receiving bank proves that the sender, before the payment order was accepted, had notice that the receiving bank might rely on the number as the proper identification of the intermediary or beneficiary's bank even if it identifies a person different from the bank identified by name, the rights and obligations of the sender and the receiving bank are governed by subsection (b)(1), as though the sender were a bank. Proof of notice may be made by any admissible evidence. The receiving bank satisfies the burden of proof if it proves that the sender, before the payment order was accepted, signed a writing stating the information to which the notice relates.

(3) Regardless of whether the sender is a bank, the receiving bank may rely on the name as the proper identification of the intermediary or beneficiary's bank if the receiving bank, at the time it executes the sender's order, does not know that the name and number identify different persons. The receiving bank need not determine whether the name and number refer to the same person.

(4) If the receiving bank knows that the name and number identify different persons, reliance on either the name or the number in executing the sender's payment order is a breach of the obligation stated in section 4A-302(a)(1).

Section 4A-209. Acceptance of Payment Order

(a) Subject to subsection (d), a receiving bank other than the beneficiary's bank accepts a payment order when it executes the order.

(b) Subject to subsections (c) and (d), a beneficiary's bank accepts a payment order at the earliest of the following times:

(1) When the bank (i) pays the beneficiary as stated in section 4A-405(a) or 4A-405(b), or (ii) notifies the beneficiary of receipt of the order or that the account of the beneficiary has been credited with respect to the order unless the notice indicates that the bank is rejecting the order or that funds with respect to the order may not be withdrawn or used until receipt of payment from the sender of the order;

(2) When the bank receives payment of the entire amount of the sender's order pursuant to section 4A-403(a)(1) or 4A-403(a)(2); or

(3) The opening of the next funds-transfer business day of the bank following the payment date of the order if, at that time, the amount of the sender's order is fully covered by a withdrawable credit balance in an authorized account of the sender or the bank has otherwise received full payment from the sender, unless the order was rejected before that time or is rejected within (i) one hour after that time, or (ii) one hour after the opening of the next business day of the sender following the payment date if that time is later. If notice of rejection is received by the sender after the payment date and the authorized account of the sender does not bear interest, the bank is obliged to pay interest to the sender on the amount of the order for the number of days elapsing after the payment date to the day the sender receives notice or learns that the order was not accepted, counting that day as an elapsed day. If the withdrawable credit balance during that period falls below the amount of the order, the amount of interest payable is reduced accordingly.

(c) Acceptance of a payment order cannot occur before the order is received by the receiving bank. Acceptance does not occur under subsection (b)(2) or (b)(3) if the beneficiary of the payment order does not have an account with the receiving bank, the account has been closed, or the receiving bank is not permitted by law to receive credits for the beneficiary's account.

(d) A payment order issued to the originator's bank cannot be accepted until the payment date if the bank is the beneficiary's bank, or the execution date if the bank is not the beneficiary's bank. If the originator's bank executes the originator's payment order before the execution date or pays the beneficiary of the originator's payment order before the payment date and the payment order is subsequently canceled pursuant to section 4A-211(b), the bank may recover from the beneficiary any payment received to the extent allowed by the law governing mistake and restitution.

Section 4A-210. Rejection of Payment Order

(a) A payment order is rejected by the receiving bank by a notice of rejection transmitted to the sender orally, electronically, or in writing. A notice of rejection need not use any particular words and is sufficient if it indicates that the receiving bank is rejecting the order or will not execute or pay the order. Rejection is effective when the notice is given if transmission is by a means that is reasonable in the circumstances. If notice of rejection is given by a means that is not reasonable, rejection is effective when the notice is received. If an agreement of the sender and receiving bank establishes the means to be used to reject a payment order, (i) any means complying with the agreement is reasonable and (ii) any means not complying is not reasonable unless no significant delay in receipt of the notice resulted from the use of the noncomplying means.

(b) This subsection applies if a receiving bank other than the beneficiary's bank fails to execute a payment order despite the existence on the execution date of a withdrawable credit balance in an authorized account of the sender sufficient to cover the order. If the sender does not receive notice of rejection of the order on the execution date and the authorized account of the sender does not bear interest, the bank is obliged to pay interest to the sender on the amount of the order for the number of days elapsing after the execution date to the earlier of the day the order is canceled pursuant to section 4A-211(d) or the day the sender receives notice or learns that the order was not executed, counting the final day of the period as an elapsed day. If the withdrawable credit balance during that period falls below the amount of the order, the amount of interest is reduced accordingly.

(c) If a receiving bank suspends payments, all unaccepted payment orders issued to it are deemed rejected at the time the bank suspends payments.

(d) Acceptance of a payment order precludes a later rejection of the order. Rejection of a payment order precludes a later acceptance of the order.

Section 4A-211. Cancellation and Amendment of Payment Order

(a) A communication of the sender of a payment order canceling or amending the order may be transmitted to the receiving bank orally, electronically, or in writing. If a security procedure is in effect between the sender and the receiving bank, the communication is not effective to cancel or amend the order unless the communication is verified pursuant to the security procedure or the bank agrees to the cancellation or amendment.

(b) Subject to subsection (a), a communication by the sender canceling or amending a payment order is effective to cancel or amend the order if notice of the communication is received at a time and in a manner affording the receiving bank a reasonable opportunity to act on the communication before the bank accepts the payment order.

(c) After a payment order has been accepted, cancellation or amendment of the order is not effective unless the receiving bank agrees or a funds-transfer system rule allows cancellation or amendment without agreement of the bank.

(1) With respect to a payment order accepted by a receiving bank other than the beneficiary's bank, cancellation or amendment is not effective unless a conforming cancellation or amendment of the payment order issued by the receiving bank is also made.

(2) With respect to a payment order accepted by the beneficiary's bank, cancellation or amendment is not effective unless the order was issued in execution of an unauthorized payment order, or because of a mistake by a sender in the funds transfer which resulted in the issuance of a payment order (i) that is a duplicate of a payment order previously issued by the sender, (ii) that orders payment to a beneficiary not entitled to receive payment from the originator, or (iii) that orders payment in an amount greater than the amount the beneficiary was entitled to receive from the originator. If the payment order is canceled or amended, the beneficiary's bank is entitled to recover from the beneficiary any amount paid to the beneficiary to the extent allowed by the law governing mistake and restitution.

(d) An unaccepted payment order is canceled by operation of law at the close of the fifth funds-transfer business day of the receiving bank after the execution date or payment date of the order.

(e) A canceled payment order cannot be accepted. If an accepted payment order is canceled, the acceptance is nullified and no person has any right or obligation based on the acceptance. Amendment of a payment order is deemed to be cancellation of the original order at the time of amendment and issue of a new payment order in the amended form at the same time.

(f) Unless otherwise provided in an agreement of the parties or in a funds-transfer system rule, if the receiving bank, after accepting a payment order, agrees to cancellation or amendment of the order by the sender or is bound by a funds-transfer system rule allowing cancellation or amendment without the bank's agreement, the sender, whether or not cancellation or amendment is effective, is liable to the bank for any loss and expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees, incurred by the bank as a result of the cancellation or amendment or attempted cancellation or amendment.

(g) A payment order is not revoked by the death or legal incapacity of the sender unless the receiving bank knows of the death or of an adjudication of incapacity by a court of competent jurisdiction and has reasonable opportunity to act before acceptance of the order.

(h) A funds-transfer system rule is not effective to the extent it conflicts with subsection (c)(2) of this section.

Section 4A-212. Liability and Duty of Receiving Bank Regarding Unaccepted Payment Order

If a receiving bank fails to accept a payment order that it is obliged by express agreement to accept, the bank is liable for breach of the agreement to the extent provided in the agreement or in this Article, but does not otherwise have any duty to accept a payment order or, before acceptance, to take any action, or refrain from taking action, with respect to the order except as provided in this Article or by express agreement. Liability based on acceptance arises only when acceptance occurs as stated in section 4A-209, and liability is limited to that provided in this Article. A receiving bank is not the agent of the sender or beneficiary of the payment order it accepts, or of any other party to the funds transfer, and the bank owes no duty to any party to the funds transfer except as provided in this Article or by express agreement.

Part 3—Execution of Sender's Payment Order by Receiving Bank

Section 4A-301. Execution and Execution Date

(a) A payment order is “executed” by the receiving bank when it issues a payment order intended to carry out the payment order received by the bank. A payment order received by the beneficiary's bank can be accepted but cannot be executed.

(b) Execution date of a payment order means the day on which the receiving bank may properly issue a payment order in execution of the sender's order. The execution date may be determined by instruction of the sender but cannot be earlier than the day the order is received and, unless otherwise determined, is the day the order is received. If the sender's instruction states a payment date, the execution date is the payment date or an earlier date on which execution is reasonably necessary to allow payment to the beneficiary on the payment date.

Section 4A-302. Obligations of Receiving Bank in Execution of Payment Order

(a) Except as provided in subsections (b) through (d), if the receiving bank accepts a payment order pursuant to section 4A-209(a), the bank has the following obligations in executing the order:

(1) The receiving bank is obliged to issue, on the execution date, a payment order complying with the sender's order and to follow the sender's instructions concerning (i) any intermediary bank or funds-transfer system to be used in carrying out the funds transfer, or (ii) the means by which payment orders are to be transmitted in the funds transfer. If the originator's bank issues a payment order to an intermediary bank, the originator's bank is obliged to instruct the intermediary bank according to the instruction of the originator. An intermediary bank in the funds transfer is similarly bound by an instruction given to it by the sender of the payment order it accepts.

(2) If the sender's instruction states that the funds transfer is to be carried out telephonically or by wire transfer or otherwise indicates that the funds transfer is to be carried out by the most expeditious means, the receiving bank is obliged to transmit its payment order by the most expeditious available means, and to instruct any intermediary bank accordingly. If a sender's instruction states a payment date, the receiving bank is obliged to transmit its payment order at a time and by means reasonably necessary to allow payment to the beneficiary on the payment date or as soon thereafter as is feasible.

(b) Unless otherwise instructed, a receiving bank executing a payment order may (i) use any funds-transfer system if use of that system is reasonable in the circumstances, and (ii) issue a payment order to the beneficiary's bank or to an intermediary bank through which a payment order conforming to the sender's order can expeditiously be issued to the beneficiary's bank if the receiving bank exercises ordinary care in the selection of the intermediary bank. A receiving bank is not required to follow an instruction of the sender designating a funds-transfer system to be used in carrying out the funds transfer if the receiving bank, in good faith, determines that it is not feasible to follow the instruction or that following the instruction would unduly delay completion of the funds transfer.

(c) Unless subsection (a)(2) applies or the receiving bank is otherwise instructed, the bank may execute a payment order by transmitting its payment order by first class mail or by any means reasonable in the circumstances. If the receiving bank is instructed to execute the sender's order by transmitting its payment order by the means stated or by any means as expeditious as the means stated.

(d) Unless instructed by the sender, (i) the receiving bank may not obtain payment of its charges for services and expenses in connection with the execution of the sender's order by issuing a payment order in an amount equal to the amount of the sender's order less the amount of the charges, and (ii) may not instruct a subsequent receiving bank to obtain payment of its charges in the same manner.

Section 4A-303. Erroneous Execution of Payment Order

(a) A receiving bank that (i) executes the payment order of the sender by issuing a payment order in an amount greater than the amount of the sender's order, or (ii) issues a payment order in execution of the sender's order and then issues a duplicate order, is entitled to payment of the amount of the sender's order under section 4A-402(c) if that subsection is otherwise satisfied. The bank is entitled to recover from the beneficiary of the erroneous order the excess payment received to the extent allowed by the law governing mistake and restitution.

(b) A receiving bank that executes the payment order of the sender by issuing a payment order in an amount less than the amount of the sender's order is entitled to payment of the amount of the sender's order under section 4A-402(c) if (i) that subsection is otherwise satisfied and (ii) the bank corrects its mistake by issuing an additional payment order for the benefit of the beneficiary of the sender's order. If the error is not corrected, the issuer of the erroneous order is entitled to receive or retain payment from the sender of the order it accepted only to the extent of the amount of the erroneous order. This subsection does not apply if the receiving bank executes the sender's payment order by issuing a payment order in an amount less than the amount of the sender's order for the purpose of obtaining payment of its charges for services and expenses pursuant to instruction of the sender.

(c) If a receiving bank executes the payment order of the sender by issuing a payment order to a beneficiary different from the beneficiary of the sender's order and the funds transfer is completed on the basis of that error, the sender of the payment order that was erroneously executed and all previous senders in the funds transfer are not obliged to pay the payment orders they issued. The issuer of the erroneous order is entitled to recover from the beneficiary of the order the payment received to the extent allowed by the law governing mistake and restitution.

Section 4A-304. Duty of Sender To Report Erroneously Executed Payment Order

If the sender of a payment order that is erroneously executed as stated in section 4A-303 receives notification from the receiving bank that the order was executed or that the sender's account was debited with respect to the order, the sender has a duty to exercise ordinary care to determine, on the basis of information available to the sender, that the order was erroneously executed and to notify the bank of the relevant facts within a reasonable time not exceeding 90 days after the notification from the bank was received by the sender. If the sender fails to perform that duty, the bank is not obliged to pay interest on any amount refundable to the sender under section 4A-402(d) for the period before the bank learns of the execution error. The bank is not entitled to any recovery from the sender on account of a failure by the sender to perform the duty stated in this section.

Section 4A-305. Liability for Late or Improper Execution or Failure To Execute Payment Order

(a) If a funds transfer is completed but execution of a payment order by the receiving bank in breach of section 4A-302 results in delay in payment to the beneficiary, the bank is obliged to pay interest to either the originator or the beneficiary of the funds transfer for the period of delay caused by the improper execution. Except as provided in subsection (c), additional damages are not recoverable.

(b) If execution of a payment order by a receiving bank in breach of section 4A-302 results in (i) noncompletion of the funds transfer, (ii) failure to use an intermediary bank designated by the originator, or (iii) issuance of a payment order that does not comply with the terms of the payment order of the originator, the bank is liable to the originator for its expenses in the funds transfer and for incidental expenses and interest losses, to the extent not covered by subsection (a), resulting from the improper execution. Except as provided in subsection (c), additional damages are not recoverable.

(c) In addition to the amounts payable under subsections (a) and (b), damages, including consequential damages, are recoverable to the extent provided in an express written agreement of the receiving bank.

(d) If a receiving bank fails to execute a payment order it was obliged by express agreement to execute, the receiving bank is liable to the sender for its expenses in the transaction and for incidential expenses and interest losses resulting from the failure to execute. Additional damages, including consequential damages, are recoverable to the extent provided in an express written agreement of the receiving bank, but are not otherwise recoverable.

(e) Reasonable attorney's fees are recoverable if demand for compensation under subsection (a) or (b) is made and refused before an action is brought on the claim. If a claim is made for breach of an agreement under subsection (d) and the agreement does not provide for damages, reasonable attorney's fees are recoverable if demand for compensation under subsection (d) is made and refused before an action is brought on the claim.

(f) Except as stated in this section, the liability of a receiving bank under subsections (a) and (b) of this section may not be varied by agreement.

Part 4—Payment

Section 4A-401. Payment Date

Payment date of a payment order means the day on which the amount of the order is payable to the beneficiary by the beneficiary's bank. The payment date may be determined by instruction of the sender but cannot be earlier than the day the order is received by the beneficiary's bank and, unless otherwise determined, is the day the order is received by the beneficiary's bank.

Section 4A-402. Obligation of Sender To Pay Receiving Bank

(a) This section is subject to sections 4A-205 and 4A-207.

(b) With respect to a payment order issued to the beneficiary's bank, acceptance of the order by the bank obliges the sender to pay the bank the amount of the order, but payment is not due until the payment date of the order.

(c) This subsection is subject to subsection (e) and to section 4A-303. With respect to a payment order issued to a receiving bank other than the beneficiary's bank, acceptance of the order by the receiving bank obliges the sender to pay the bank the amount of the sender's order. Payment by the sender is not due until the execution date of the sender's order. The obligation of that sender to pay its payment order is excused if the funds transfer is not completed by acceptance by the beneficiary's bank of a payment order instructing payment to the beneficiary of that sender's payment order.

(d) If the sender of a payment order pays the order and was not obliged to pay all or part of the amount paid, the bank receiving payment is obliged to refund payment to the extent the sender was not obliged to pay. Except as provided in sections 4A-204 and 4A-304, interest is payable on the refundable amount from the date of payment.

(e) If a funds transfer is not completed as stated in subsection (c) and an intermediary bank is obliged to refund payment as stated in subsection (d) but is unable to do so because not permitted by applicable law or because the bank suspends payments, a sender in the funds transfer that executed a payment order in compliance with an instruction, as stated in section 4A-302(a)(1), to route the funds transfer through that intermediary bank is entitled to receive or retain payment from the sender of the payment order that it accepted. The first sender in the funds transfer that issued an instruction requiring routing through that intermediary bank is subrogated to the right of the bank that paid the intermediary bank to refund as stated in subsection (d) of this section .

(f) The right of the sender of a payment order to be excused from the obligation to pay the order as stated in this subsection (c) or to receive refund under subsection (d) may not be varied by agreement.

Section 4A-403. Payment by Sender To Receiving Bank

(a) Payment of the sender's obligation under section 4A-402 to pay the receiving bank occurs as follows:

(1) If the sender is a bank, payment occurs when the receiving bank receives final settlement of the obligation through a Federal Reserve Bank or through a funds-transfer system.

(2) If the sender is a bank and the sender (i) credited an account of the receiving bank with the sender, or (ii) caused an account of the receiving bank in another bank to be credited, payment occurs when the credit is withdrawn or, if not withdrawn, at midnight of the day on which the credit is withdrawable and the receiving bank learns of that fact.

(3) If the receiving bank debits an account of the sender with the receiving bank, payment occurs when the debit is made to the extent the debit is covered by a withdrawable credit balance in the account.

(b) If the sender and receiving bank are members of a funds-transfer system that nets obligations multilaterally among participants, the receiving bank receives final settlement when settlement is complete in accordance with the rules of the system. The obligation of the sender to pay the amount of a payment order transmitted through the funds-transfer system may be satisfied, to the extent permitted by the rules of the system, by setting off and applying against the sender's obligation the right of the sender to receive payment from the receiving bank of the amount of any other payment order transmitted to the sender by the receiving bank through the funds-transfer system. The aggregate balance of obligations owed by each sender to each receiving bank in the funds-transfer system may be satisfied, to the extent permitted by the rules of the system, by setting off and applying against that balance the aggregate balance of obligations owed to the sender by other members of the system. The aggregate balance is determined after the right of setoff stated in the second sentence of this subsection has been exercised.

(c) If two banks transmit payment orders to each other under an agreement that settlement of the obligations of each bank to the other under section 4A-402 will be made at the end of the day or other period, the total amount owed with respect to all orders transmitted by one bank shall be set off against the total amount owed with respect to all orders transmitted by the other bank. To the extent of the setoff, each bank has made payment to the other.

(d) In a case not covered by paragraph (a) of this section, the time when payment of the sender's obligation under section 4A-402(b) or 4A-402(c) occurs is governed by applicable principles of law that determine when an obligation is satisfied.

Section 4A-404. Obligation of Beneficiary's Bank To Pay and Give Notice to Beneficiary

(a) Subject to sections 4A-211(e), 4A-405(d), and 4A-405(e), if a beneficiary's bank accepts a payment order, the bank is obliged to pay the amount of the order to the beneficiary of the order. Payment is due on the payment date of the order, but if acceptance occurs on the payment date after the close of the funds-transfer business day of the bank, payment is due on the next funds-transfer business day. If the bank refuses to pay after demand by the beneficiary and receipt of notice of particular circumstances that will give rise to consequential damages as a result of nonpayment, the beneficiary may recover damages resulting from the refusal to pay to the extent the bank had notice of the damages, unless the bank proves that it did not pay because of a reasonable doubt concerning the right of the beneficiary to payment.

(b) If a payment order accepted by the beneficiary's bank instructs payment to an account of the beneficiary, the bank is obliged to notify the beneficiary of receipt of the order before midnight of the next funds-transfer business day following the payment date. If the payment order does not instruct payment to an account of the beneficiary, the bank is required to notify the beneficiary only if notice is required by the order. Notice may be given by first class mail or any other means reasonable in the circumstances. If the bank fails to give the required notice, the bank is obliged to pay interest to the beneficiary on the amount of the payment order from the day notice should have been given until the day the beneficiary learned of receipt of the payment order by the bank. No other damages are recoverable. Reasonable attorney's fees are also recoverable if demand for interest is made and refused before an action is brought on the claim.

(c) The right of a beneficiary to receive payment and damages as stated in subsection (a) may not be varied by agreement or a funds-transfer system rule. The right of a beneficiary to be notified as stated in subsection (b) of this section may be varied by agreement of the beneficiary or by a funds-transfer system rule if the beneficiary is notified of the rule before initiation of the funds transfer.

Section 4A-405. Payment by Beneficiary's Bank To Beneficiary

(a) If the beneficiary's bank credits an account of the beneficiary of a payment order, payment of the bank's obligation under section 4A-404(a) occurs when and to the extent (i) the beneficiary is notified of the right to withdraw the credit, (ii) the bank lawfully applies the credit to a debt of the beneficiary, or (iii) funds with respect to the order are otherwise made available to the beneficiary by the bank.

(b) If the beneficiary's bank does not credit an account of the beneficiary of a payment order, the time when payment of the bank's obligation under section 4A-404(a) occurs is governed by principles of law that determine when an obligation is satisfied.

(c) Except as stated in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section, if the beneficiary's bank pays the beneficiary of a payment order under a condition to payment or agreement of the beneficiary giving the bank the right to recover payment from the beneficiary if the bank does not receive payment of the order, the condition to payment or agreement is not enforceable.

(d) A funds-transfer system rule may provide that payments made to beneficiaries of funds transfer made through the system are provisional until receipt of payment by the beneficiary's bank of the payment order it accepted. A beneficiary's bank that makes a payment that is provisional under the rule is entitled to refund from the beneficiary if (i) the rule requires that both the beneficiary and the originator be given notice of the provisional nature of the payment before the funds transfer is initiated, (ii) the beneficiary, the beneficiary's bank and the originator's bank agreed to be bound by the rule, and (iii) the beneficiary's bank did not receive payment of the payment order that it accepted. If the beneficiary is obliged to refund payment to the beneficiary's bank, acceptance of the payment order by the beneficiary's bank is nullified and no payment by the originator of the funds transfer to the beneficiary occurs under section 4A-406.

(e) This paragraph applies to a funds transfer that includes a payment order transmitted over a funds-transfer system that (i) nets obligations-multilaterally among participants, and (ii) has in effect a loss-sharing agreement among participants for the purpose of providing funds necessary to complete settlement of the obligations of one or more participants that do not meet their settlement obligations. If the beneficiary's bank in the funds transfer accepts a payment order and the system fails to complete settlement pursuant to its rules with respect to any payment order in the funds transfer, (i) the acceptance by the beneficiary's bank is nullified and no person has any right or obligation based on the acceptance, (ii) the beneficiary's bank is entitled to recover payment from the beneficiary, (iii) no payment by the originator to the beneficiary occurs under section 4A-406, and (iv) subject to section 4A-402(e), each sender in the funds transfer is excused from its obligation to pay its payment order under section 4A-402(c) because the funds transfer has not been completed.

Section 4A-406. Payment by Originator to Beneficiary; Discharge of Underlying Obligation

(a) Subject to sections 4A-211(e), 4A-405(d), and 4A-405(e), the originator of a funds transfer pays the beneficiary of the originator's payment order (i) at the time a payment order for the benefit of the beneficiary is accepted by the beneficiary's bank in the funds transfer and (ii) in an amount equal to the amount of the order *40813 accepted by the beneficiary's bank, but not more than the amount of the originator's order.

(b) If payment under paragraph (a) of this section is made to satisfy an obligation, the obligation is discharged to the same extent discharge would result from payment to the beneficiary of the same amount in money, unless (i) the payment under subsection (a) was made by a means prohibited by the contract of the beneficiary with respect to the obligation, (ii) the beneficiary, within a reasonable time after receiving notice of receipt of the order by the beneficiary's bank, notified the originator of the beneficiary's refusal of the payment, (iii) funds with respect to the order were not withdrawn by the beneficiary or applied to a debt of the beneficiary, and (iv) the beneficiary would suffer a loss that could reasonably have been avoided if payment had been made by a means complying with the contract. If payment by the originator does not result in discharge under this section, the originator is subrogated to the rights of the beneficiary to receive payment from the beneficiary's bank under section 4A-404(a).

(c) For the purpose of determining whether discharge of an obligation occurs under paragraph (b) of this section, if the beneficiary's bank accepts a payment order in an amount equal to the amount of the originator's payment order less charges of one or more receiving banks in the funds transfer, payment to the beneficiary is deemed to be in the amount of the originator's order unless upon demand by the beneficiary the originator does not pay the beneficiary the amount of the deducted charges.

(d) Rights of the originator or of the beneficiary of a funds transfer under this section may be varied only by agreement of the originator and the beneficiary.

Part 5—Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 4A-501. Variation by Agreement and Effect of Funds-Transfer System Rule

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Article, the rights and obligations of a party to a funds transfer may be varied by agreement of the affected party.

(b) Funds-transfer system rule means a rule of an association of banks (i) governing transmission of payment orders by means of a funds-transfer system of the association or rights and obligations with respect to those orders, or (ii) to the extent the rule governs rights and obligations between banks that are parties to a funds transfer in which a Federal Reserve Bank, acting as an intermediary bank, sends a payment order to the beneficiary's bank. Except as otherwise provided in this Article, a funds-transfer system rule governing rights and obligations between participating banks using the system may be effective even if the rule conflicts with this Article and indirectly affects another party to the funds transfer who does not consent to the rule. A funds-transfer system rule may also govern rights and obligations of parties other than participating banks using the system to the extent stated in sections 4A-404(c), 4A-405(d), and 4A-507(c).

Section 4A-502. Creditor Process Served on Receiving Bank; Setoff by Beneficiary's Bank

(a) As used in this section, creditor process means levy, attachment, garnishment, notice of lien, sequestration, or similar process issued by or on behalf of a creditor or other claimant with respect to an account.

(b) This subsection applies to creditor process with respect to an authorized account of the sender of a payment order if the creditor process is served on the receiving bank. For the purpose of determining rights with respect to the creditor process, if the receiving bank accepts the payment order the balance in the authorized account is deemed to be reduced by the amount of the payment order to the extent the bank did not otherwise receive payment of the order, unless the creditor process is served at a time and in a manner affording the bank a reasonable opportunity to act on it before the bank accepts the payment order.

(c) If a beneficiary's bank has received a payment order for payment to the beneficiary's account in the bank, the following rules apply:

(1) The bank may credit the beneficiary's account. The amount credited may be set off against an obligation owed by the beneficiary to the bank or may be applied to satisfy creditor process served on the bank with respect to the account.

(2) The bank may credit the beneficiary's account and allow withdrawal of the amount credited unless creditor process with respect to the account is served at a time and in a manner affording the bank a reasonable opportunity to act to prevent withdrawal.

(3) If creditor process with respect to the beneficiary's account has been served and the bank has had a reasonable opportunity to act on it, the bank may not reject the payment order except for a reason unrelated to the service of process.

(d) Creditor process with respect to a payment by the originator to the beneficiary pursuant to a funds transfer may be served only on the beneficiary's bank with respect to the debt owned by that bank to the beneficiary. Any other bank served with the creditor process is not obliged to act with respect to the process.

Section 4A-503. Injunction or Restraining Order With Respect to Funds Transfer

For proper cause and in compliance with applicable law, a court may restrain (i) a person from issuing a payment order to initiate a funds transfer, (ii) an originator's bank from executing the payment order of the originator, or (iii) the beneficiary's bank from releasing funds to the beneficiary or the beneficiary from withdrawing the funds. A court may not otherwise restrain a person from issuing a payment order, paying or receiving payment of a payment order, or otherwise acting with respect to a funds transfer.

Section 4A-504. Order In Which Items and Payment Orders May Be Charged to Account; Order of Withdrawals From Account

(a) If a receiving bank has received more than one payment order of the sender or one or more payment orders and other items that are payable from the sender's account, the bank may charge the sender's account with respect to the various orders and items in any sequence.

(b) In determining whether a credit to an account has been withdrawn by the holder of the account or applied to a debt of the holder of the account, credits first made to the account are first withdrawn or applied.

Section 4A-505. Preclusion of Objection to Debit of Customer's Account

If a receiving bank has received payment from its customer with respect to a payment order issued in the name of the customer as sender and accepted by the bank, and the customer received notification reasonably identifying the order, the customer is precluded from asserting that the bank is not entitled to retain the payment unless the customer notifies the bank of the customer's objection to the payment within one year after the notification was received by the customer.

Section 4A-506. Rate of Interest

(a) If, under this Article, a receiving bank is obliged to pay interest with respect to a payment order issued to the bank, the amount payable may be determined (i) by agreement of the sender and receiving bank, or (ii) by a funds-transfer system rule if the payment order is transmitted through a funds-transfer system.

(b) If the amount of interest is not determined by an agreement or rule as stated in subsection (a), the amount is calculated by multiplying the applicable Federal Funds rate by the amount on which interest is payable, and then multiplying the product by the number of days for which interest is payable. The applicable Federal Funds rate is the average of the Federal Funds rates published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for each of the days for which interest is payable divided by 360. The Federal Funds rate for any day on which a published rate is not available is the same as the published rate for the next preceding day for which there is a published rate. If a receiving bank that accepted a payment order is required to refund payment to the sender of the order because the funds transfer was not completed, but the failure to complete was not due to any fault by the bank, the interest payable is reduced by a percentage equal to the reserve requirement on deposits of the receiving bank.

Section 4A-507. Choice of Law

(a) The following rules apply unless the affected parties otherwise agree or paragraph (c) of this section applies:

(1) The rights and obligations between the sender of a payment order and the receiving bank are governed by the law of the jurisdiction in which the receiving bank is located.

(2) The rights and obligations between the beneficiary's bank and the beneficiary are governed by the law of the jurisdiction in which the beneficiary's bank is located.

(3) The issue of when payment is made pursuant to a funds transfer by the originator to the beneficiary is governed by the law of the jurisdiction in which the beneficiary's bank is located.

(b) If the parties described in each subsection of paragraph (a) of this section have made an agreement selecting the law of a particular jurisdiction to govern rights and obligations between each other, the law of that jurisdiction governs those rights and obligations, whether or not the payment order or the funds transfer bears a reasonable relation to that jurisdiction.

(c) A funds-transfer system rule may select the law of a particular jurisdiction to govern (i) rights and obligations between participating banks with respect to payment orders transmitted or processed through the system, or (ii) the rights and obligations of some or all parties to a funds transfer any part of which is carried out by means of the system. A choice of law made pursuant to clause (i) is binding on participating banks. A choice of law made pursuant to clause (ii) is binding on the originator, other sender, or a receiving bank having notice that the funds-transfer system might be used in the funds transfer and of the choice of law by the system when the originator, other sender, or receiving bank issued or accepted a payment order. The beneficiary of a funds transfer is bound by the choice of law if, when the funds transfer is initiated, the beneficiary has notice that the funds-transfer system might be used in the funds transfer and of the choice of law by the system. The law of a jurisdiction selected pursuant to this subsection may govern, whether or not that law bears a reasonable relation to the matter in issue.

(d) In the event of inconsistency between an agreement under paragraph (b) of this section and a choice-of-law rule under paragraph (c) of this section, the agreement under paragraph (b) prevails.

(e) If a funds transfer is made by use of more than one funds-transfer system and there is inconsistency between choice-of-law rules of the systems, the matter in issue is governed by the law of the selected jurisdiction that has the most significant relationship to the matter in issue.