Payments Canada updates ACSS rules, setting a 2028 end date for paper PAD clearing

What changed

Payments Canada put a package of administrative and operational Automated Clearing Settlement System rule changes into effect on July 27, 2026. The amendments state that paper pre-authorized debits will no longer be eligible for exchange, clearing and settlement in ACSS from December 1, 2028, and also update rules for member definitions, clearing arrangements, mergers and bill-payment processes.

Loyalty and rewards implications

This is a confirmed payments-operations change, not an immediate consumer offer or service disruption. Credit unions should identify member journeys and recurring-payment processes that still depend on paper PADs, then use digital enrollment and account-activity campaigns to move behaviour before the 2028 cutoff. Cyder can position its orchestration and measurement layer around verified digital activation and recurring relationship behaviour, rather than rewards tied to the future rail transition itself.