Real-Time Payments: Why Now Is the Time to Jump In

The payments world is moving fast—and real-time is quickly becoming the new standard. For community banks, this isn’t just a trend; it’s an opportunity to stay competitive and deliver the kind of convenience customers expect.

What’s Driving the Momentum?

Two big players are leading the charge:

• FedNow: This service is gaining serious traction, with over 1,500 participants and annual volume growth topping 1,200%. And here’s a game-changer: starting November 2025, the transaction limit jumps from $1 million to $10 million. That opens the door for larger, more complex transactions and new use cases.
• RTP Network: On October 3, 2025, RTP set a record—1.8 million transactions in a single day, totaling $5.2 billion. That’s proof positive that demand for instant payments isn’t slowing down.

Why It Matters for Your Bank

Real-time payments aren’t just about speed—they’re about customer experience, operational efficiency, and cost savings. By investing in FedNow and RTP, you give your clients the ability to move money instantly, which means:

• Happier customers who expect fast, seamless transactions.
• Better cash flow visibility for businesses.
• Reduced processing costs compared to traditional methods.

Next Steps

If you haven’t started planning for real-time payments, now’s the time. Talk to your Correspondent Banker about how to integrate FedNow and RTP into your offerings. They’ll help you navigate the options and make sure your bank is ready to capitalize on this shift.

Bottom line: Instant payments aren’t the future—they’re here. And the banks that embrace them will lead the way in customer satisfaction and market relevance.