Create FedNow File

TodayPayments.com is the trusted platform for U.S. businesses and developers needing fast, secure, and ISO 20022-compliant solutions for creating and uploading FedNow® and RTP® payment files. From recurring billing to instant Request for Payments, we help you integrate, automate, and get paid — with real-time confidence.

To simplify and scale real-time payment adoption for U.S. businesses by delivering plug-and-play file creation, batch upload, and payment reconciliation tools that support FedNow® and RTP® networks — accelerating how America moves money.

 

Automate FedNow® File Creation and Uploads with Rich Data Precision

The future of business payments is real-time, automated, and interoperable. While FedNow® and RTP® are transforming how funds move, the key to unlocking their full power lies in how businesses prepare, format, and upload their payment data.

Whether you’re managing recurring invoices, Request for Payments (RfP), or bulk disbursements, success starts with a structured file: JSON, ISO 20022-rich XML, CSV, or Excel — ready for seamless upload into your FinTech dashboard or bank portal.

At TodayPayments.com, we help companies create, structure, and deliver these files with real-time compatibility — ensuring your FedNow® Credits, Debits, and RfPs are processed instantly and reliably across all rails.

Let’s explore how to build your FedNow® file, automate uploads, and connect to the fastest payment systems in America — with full support for recurring billing, rich data messaging, and cross-network compatibility.

To initiate real-time payments via FedNow® or RTP®, businesses need to create structured payment files that follow ISO 20022 standards.

These files must contain the necessary metadata for processing:

  • Payer and Payee Details
  • Payment Amounts (Static or Variable)
  • Invoice Identifiers
  • Timing (One-time or Recurring)
  • Request for Payment (RfP) Message Details

Accepted File Formats:

  • .JSON — Ideal for API-based RfP and real-time invoice generation
  • .XML — Industry-standard for ISO 20022 rich data compliance
  • .CSV — Simple tabular uploads for bulk payment actions
  • .XLS/.XLSX — Preferred by many AR teams for invoice cycle management

Ask us how:

  • How to create ISO 20022 FedNow® file for FinTech upload
  • Automate recurring FedNow® invoicing with Excel or XML
  • Upload JSON FedNow® payment files to bank dashboard
  • Request for Payment FedNow® file creation guide
  • FedNow® Credits and Debits upload using ISO 20022 standards

With TodayPayments.com, your file creation is simplified with templates, validation tools, and prebuilt RfP message maps for all payment types.

Excel Creation of FedNow Instant Payment Services for Businesses. Make sure that your Bank or Credit Union allows importing and downloading batches for RfP "Request for Payments" as addition to single transactions.

FedNow Service Overview: FedNow is a real-time payments service launched by the Federal Reserve to enable instant fund transfers between banks and credit unions, offering 24/7 availability. This service is particularly useful for businesses needing to ensure quick and reliable payment processing.

Benefits for Businesses:

  • Immediate Payment Settlement: Transactions are processed instantly, improving cash flow and reducing the risk of payment delays.
  • Enhanced Customer Satisfaction: Faster payments lead to increased customer satisfaction and trust.
  • Operational Efficiency: Automates and streamlines payment processes, reducing the need for manual intervention.

Tips for Businesses

  • Regular Updates: Keep your spreadsheet template updated with the latest payment data to streamline the creation process.
  • Compliance: Ensure compliance with any specific requirements or formats your bank or credit union may have for FedNow payments.
  • Automation: Consider automating data entry and CSV generation using Excel macros or other scripting tools to save time and reduce errors.

By leveraging Excel to create FedNow instant payment files, businesses can benefit from faster, more efficient payment processing, enhancing overall financial operations.

Create FedNow® Payment Files Using JSON, XML, Excel & ISO 20022 Messaging

Once your FedNow® file is created, uploading it to a FinTech platform or bank is the next step.

Depending on your integration, you can:

🔁 Batch Upload Through Secure Dashboards

Login to your partner bank’s or FinTech provider’s dashboard and upload .XML, .CSV, or .Excel files using drag-and-drop or scheduled batch delivery.

🔄 API-Driven JSON File Submission

For FinTechs and developers, JSON FedNow® files can be uploaded directly through APIs with full request-response tracking.

🧠 Smart Routing Based on Network Support

The system automatically routes FedNow® or RTP® requests based on the recipient’s banking network, ensuring interoperability and instant confirmation.

💡 Recurring and Variable Billing

Upload files containing static or dynamic invoice values and let your automation engine handle RfP status, retries, or reminders.

Interoperability Is the Future: FedNow® and RTP® Work Better Together

FedNow® and RTP® are not competitors — they’re complementary. The modern business doesn’t need to choose between them. Instead, it needs a solution that supports both.

TodayPayments.com allows businesses to:

  • Create RfP files compatible with both networks
  • Upload via a single interface regardless of receiving bank
  • Track aged or fulfilled payments with ISO 20022 precision
  • Manage recurring billing cycles across either rail

This interoperability ensures you never miss a payment — and always have real-time visibility, regardless of format, timing, or destination.

Creating a FedNow .csv file involves formatting your payment data correctly and ensuring it complies with the FedNow specifications. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to create this file and upload it into your bank's dashboard.

Step 1: Prepare the Data

Ensure you have the following data for each payment:

  1. Payment Reference ID
  2. Amount
  3. Sender "Payee" Account Number
  4. Receiver "Payer" Account Number or Nickname, Moniker, Username, etc.
  5. Receiver "Payer" Routing Number
  6. Payment Date
  7. Payment Description

Step 2: Create the .csv File

You can use a spreadsheet application like Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or a text editor to create the .csv file.

  1. Open your preferred spreadsheet application.
  2. Enter the column headers as follows:

javascript

Payment Reference ID, Amount, Sender "Payee" Account Number, Receiver "Payer" Account Number, Receiver "Payer" Routing Number, Payment Date, Payment Description

  1. Enter your payment data under each column.

Example:

Payment Reference ID

Amount

Sender "Payee" Account Number

Receiver "Payer" Account Number

Receiver "Payer" Routing Number

Payment Date

Payment Description

12345

500.00

123456789

987654321

021000021

2024-05-15

Invoice Payment

  1. Save the file as FedNowPayments.csv.

Step 3: Validate the .csv File

Ensure your .csv file adheres to the formatting rules:

  • Each field should be separated by a comma.
  • Dates should be in YYYY-MM-DD format.
  • Avoid extra spaces or special characters.

Step 4: Upload the .csv File to the Bank’s Dashboard

  1. Log in to your bank's online portal.
  2. Navigate to the FedNow section. This may be under payments or transfers.
  3. Select the option to upload a .csv file.
  4. Choose your file. Click on the upload button and select the FedNowPayments.csv file from your computer.
  5. Review the uploaded data. The bank's system will typically show a preview of the data.
  6. Submit the upload. Confirm and submit the file for processing.

Sample .csv Content

Here is what a sample FedNowPayments.csv file might look like:

javascript

Payment Reference ID, Amount, Sender "Payee" Account Number, Receiver "Payer" Account Number, Receiver "Payer" Routing Number ,Payment Date, Payment Description 12345, 500.00, 123456789, 987654321, 021000021, 2024-05-15, Invoice Payment 12346, 1500.00, 123456789, 123456780, 021000022, 2024-05-16, Salary Payment

Troubleshooting Tips

  • Formatting Errors: Ensure there are no extra spaces and all required fields are filled.
  • Bank-Specific Requirements: Check if your bank has any specific formatting requirements or additional fields.
  • File Encoding: Ensure the .csv file is saved in UTF-8 encoding if you encounter any character-related issues.

Following these steps should allow you to create and upload a FedNow .csv file successfully. If you encounter any issues, refer to your bank's support documentation or contact their customer support for further assistance.

Upload Your FedNow® Payment Files With Confidence

Your business doesn’t have time for manual invoicing or outdated payment rails. With TodayPayments.com, you get:

Pre-built templates for JSON, XML, Excel, and CSV
ISO 20022-compliant message structures
Instant upload to banks or FinTech platforms
Real-time confirmation of Credits, Debits, and RfPs
Full automation for recurring invoices and collections

 FREE Real-Time Payments Bank Reconciliation%
"FREE" RfP Aging & Real-Time Payments Bank Reconciliation – with all merchants process with us. Real-Time Payments Bank Reconciliation

To support merchants and finance teams of all sizes, TodayPayments.com offers free downloadable templates, including:

  • Aging Accounts Receivable Worksheet: Pre-built with 15, 30, 60, 90+ day tracking
  • Bank Reconciliation Templates: Instantly match payments with deposits across batches
  • ISO 20022 File Format Samples: Plug-and-play structures for batch uploads and RfP message testing

🚀 It’s time to simplify, automate, and accelerate your payment operations.
Start creating and uploading FedNow® files today with https://www.TodayPayments.com — and bring your payment systems into real-time alignment.

 

ACH and both FedNow Instant and Real-Time Payments Request for Payment ISO 20022 XML Message Versions.
The versions that NACHA and The Clearing House Real-Time Payments system for the Response to the Request are pain.013 and pain.014 respectively. Predictability, that the U.S. Federal Reserve, via the FedNow ® Instant Payments, will also use Request for Payment. The ACH, RTP® and FedNow ® versions are "Credit Push Payments" instead of "Debit Pull.".

Reconcile invoices with our Create FedNow File Solutions


Activation Dynamic RfP Aging and Bank Reconciliation worksheets - only $49 annually

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- Worksheet to determine "Reasons and Rejects Coding" readying for re-sent Payers.
- Use our solution yourself. Stop paying accountant's over $50 an hour. So EASY to USE.
- No "Color Cells to Match Transactions" (You're currently doing this. You won't coloring with our solution).
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- Batch deposits displaying Bank Statements are not used anymore. Real-time Payments are displayed "by transaction".
- Make sure your Bank displaying "Daily FedNow and Real-time Payments" reporting for "Funds Sent and Received". (These banks have Great Reporting.)

2. Bank Reconciliation with as Payee FedNow & Real-Time Payments for Accrual, Cash and Hybrid Basis and QBO - Undeposited Funds

Each day, thousands of businesses around the country are turning their transactions into profit with real-time payment solutions like ours.



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