Real-time determination of funds availability for checks and ach items

A system comprising:

• one or more processors in data communication through a network with a first entity and a second entity;
• and
• one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processors and perform the acts of:
• receiving a first inquiry through the network from the first entity, wherein the first inquiry is received from the first entity in real time after the first entity receives a payment item;
• determining a routing decision in real time of whether or not to route the first inquiry to the second entity, wherein the second entity is a depository financial institution that is specified by the payment item as responsible for paying the payment item, and the routing decision is based at least in part on a risk of non-payment of the payment item by the second entity;
• when the routing decision is to not route the first inquiry to the second entity:
• sending a first response through the network to the first entity in real time after receiving the first inquiry;
• and
• when the routing decision is to route the first inquiry to the second entity:
• sending a second inquiry through the network to the second entity in real time after receiving the first inquiry, the second inquiry being based at least in part on the first inquiry;
• receiving a second response through the network from the second entity, the second response being sent by the second entity in real time in response to receiving the second inquiry;
• storing the second response received from the second entity;
• and
• sending a third response through the network to the first entity in real time after receiving the second response, the third response being based at least in part on the second response,
• wherein:
• the first entity is different from the second entity.