ACH transfer itself is charged by batches from the banks like BofA. As an example, they might charge $5 for each NACHA file transfer but you can have hundreds or even thousand transactions of many different types. From that perspective of cost per value transfer, it is going to be cheaper if you have a lot of transaction with higher dollar amounts.
But the total cost of ownership is expensive. I mean the time and money to develop the process to integrate with your bank on ACH is going to be a heavy fixed cost and that is one of the reasons of the cost. Now Wire transfer and other type of transfers, they use different system and the costs varies because of that.
Also regarding about the speed of transfer, that is hinging at the speed for the banks to reconcile all transactions with the Central Bank. I think the US Central Bank is planning to implement real time transaction and that consequently will speed up transfer.
But the total cost of ownership is expensive. I mean the time and money to develop the process to integrate with your bank on ACH is going to be a heavy fixed cost and that is one of the reasons of the cost. Now Wire transfer and other type of transfers, they use different system and the costs varies because of that.
Also regarding about the speed of transfer, that is hinging at the speed for the banks to reconcile all transactions with the Central Bank. I think the US Central Bank is planning to implement real time transaction and that consequently will speed up transfer.