<p>HERNDON, Va. – Three hundred sixty-five payments industry professionals received accreditation or were re-accredited in 2001 by NACHA under the Accredited ACH Professional (AAP) Program bringing the current number of AAPs nationwide to 1,892. The AAP designation was created in 1993 to recognize professionals for their understanding and knowledge of the ACH Network and the payments industry. "Earning an Accredited ACH Professional designation is a great way to advance your payments career," said Elliott C. McEntee, President and Chief Executive Officer of NACHA. "AAPs provide the expertise that financial institutions and companies need to plan their payments strategies and manage their payments services." Three hundred twelve payments professionals received accreditation by passing the national AAP examination, administered on October 16, 2001. Of those, 274 received accreditation for the first time, and 38 received 5-year re-accreditation. An additional 53 payments professionals received re-accreditation in 2001 through NACHA's continuing education program. "The number of first-time AAPs is increasing every year, which is good news for the payments industry," said McEntee.</p>