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Electronic Cheque Clearing

Electronic Cheque Clearing (ECC)

ECC Information

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Electronic Cheque Clearing (ECC) modernises the process of clearing cheques across banks. Currently, physical cheques are cleared manually. Under the ECC, participating banksl clear local TTD denominated cheques by taking an image of a cheque that needs to be cleared and electronically submitting this digital image to the bank on which it is drawn

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This is an initiative supported by the Bankers Association of Trinidad and Tobago (BATT). The Participating Banks are Ansa Bank, JMMB Bank Trinidad & Tobago, First Citizens Bank Limited, CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank, RBC Royal Bank (Trinidad & Tobago) Ltd, Citibank (Trinidad & Tobago) Ltd, Scotiabank Trinidad & Tobago, Republic Bank Limited and the Central Bank of Trinidad & Tobago.

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  • Benefits include:

    • Modernisation of the clearing and settlement payment system
    • Increased and more efficient monitoring by the CBTT
    • More secure cheque processing

background information.

What You Need To Know:

The manual, paper-based cheque exchange process was replaced by cheque image exchange for faster, more efficient processing.

In order to facilitate the change, all cheques must be standardised and image-friendly so that they qualify for electronic exchange

  • All cheques will follow the Canadian Payments Association (CPA) Standard 006 format and must adhere to the Trinidad & Tobago Cheque Production Standards
  • Bank Crossing stamps will now be placed on the back of processed cheques
  • Cheque images will be exchanged daily, via electronic files through the Automated Clearing House and forwarded to Participating Banks
  • The image of the cheque will also be used instead of the physical cheque where cheques are to be returned.

  • Will There Be Any Change To How Cheques Must Be Written Or Populated?

    • Yes. These include:
    • For handwritten cheques-only use black or blue ink pens
    • Write only in specified locations- do not obscure any key fields
    • For computer-filled cheques, please see details in the CPA006 standards.
    • Cheques with alterations in material fields, e.g. date, payee name, words and figures, and signatures, will not be allowed for processing and, as such, must not be issued to payees

  • How Will Customers Be Advised Of The New Standards For Cheques?

    Commercial banks may alert their customers of the changes associated with Electronic Cheque Clearing through various channels, including but not limited to in-branch, social media, websites, email, letters, direct client contact.

      • Clients are required to only use compliant cheques which meet the new standards going forward and destroy non-compliant cheque books. The new cheque format is mandatory for all since all banks will be required to electronically exchange cheque images.
      • The deadline for the old, formatted cheques was August 22nd, 2022. Cheques that do not meet the new standards that are issued to payees beyond this date, may no longer be accepted by banks.
      • If you are not using compliant cheques, then please place an order with your bank.
      • Corporate or commercial clients with specialised or customised cheques that do not adhere to the approved standard will need to change their cheques. Clients with customised cheques not ordered directly from their bankers, who have not already contacted their banks, are urgently required to do so for further guidance.
      • For business clients with internal cheque printing software the new cheque standards must be adopted. Contact your bank for further guidance.
      • There may be changes to the costs for personal and corporate cheques, particularly for specialised cheque leaves. These costs will be managed between individual banks and their clients.