Thursday, 27 December 2012

Explained Changes in New Cheque Books


Considered to be a major milestone in the history of Indian banking, Cheque Truncation System (CTS) aims to make cheque clearance more efficient and reduce the clearance time of cheques to one day, thereby trimming down the floating time considerably. India processes as many as 1.2 billions cheques annually and therefore, the implementation of this system would drastically cut down the waiting period involved. The system will be implemented nationwide from April 1, 2013.


How does it work?

An online image-based cheque clearing system, the collecting bank branch would deploy scanned images along with the magnetic ink character (MICR) of the cheque which will be sent out electronically using their Capture System, removing the need for physical/manual transfer of cheques. The captured images and the data is then signed and encrypted and sent to the Clearing House or the central processing location and thereafter forwarded to the drawee or paying bank.

This helps speed up the cheque collection process that eventually helps provide better and faster customer service.

Key Features of Cheque Truncation System
  • User friendly graphic user interface
  • Automated coding and endorsing of cheques
  • Encryption of data file before transmission to the clearing house or the service branch
  • Employs a unique transaction follower process to confirm the status of cheque
  • Improved and efficient settlement and prevention of fraud
  • Equipped with enhanced archival procedure that stores images and data facilitating report generation along with future enquiry
  • Alerts RMs in case of return of cheque due to insufficient fundsImpact of CTS on Customers


    Handling of EMIs with the Introduction of CTS

    In cases where customers have issues post-dated cheques (PDC) for payment of monthly installments towards an ongoing loan, they would need to issue fresh cheques to the bank or service provider as per the new directive on CTS by the RBI. The replacement of these cheques needs to be done latest by April 1, 2013 and is applicable on all banks and NBFCs.

    Encashment of Old Cheques

    Customers may need to surrender their old cheque books or cancel them and show proof of cancellation. No replacement fee will be charged by the bank for issuing new cheque books

    Apart from these aspects, the system does not, in any way, affect the way things function for a customer. They would continue using cheques as they do currently; however, cheques that have been altered or modified will not be permissible under the new system. The other precautions that need to be taken while issuing or writing a cheque are:

    • Ensure that all details are clear and readable, using black or blue ink
    • Write the name of the payee, amount and the date and sign the cheque correctly.
    • In case you use seals on the cheque, ensure that they are imprinted in a manner that they do not mask or hide the other important fields of the cheque.

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