[jjmorrison]

Plaid is still (for some unknown reason) the only company that is able to do real time ACH transactions that bypass credit card companies in the US. All other companies still require long verification processes or high transaction fees.

[sjtgraham]

Plaid doesn’t do ACH transactions, someone else does, e.g. Stripe, or Dwolla. They merely provide a means to verify account details instantly per NACHA rules.

Plaid is planning to do ACH payments themselves and have a private beta.

[sjg007]

They basically guarantee the funds to the merchant and reduce the likelihood that the cash won’t be there. The other side of the coin is providing insurance against fraudulent charges. This only really matters where physical goods are exchanged.

[sjtgraham]

No they don’t guarantee any funds whatsoever, nor do they provide insurance against fraudulent charges.