07 June 2016
KUWAIT: The Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK) would like to draw the attention of all clients that in the near future, all banks will no longer accept processing cheques, issued in Kuwaiti Dinars, that do not conform with the standards and security features as prescribed by the Central Bank of Kuwait. CBK will advise clients' beneficiary of these types of cheques to go to the issuer bank to cash their cheque or deposit it in their accounts - if available with the issuer bank.

Accordingly, CBK would like to urge its clients who print their cheques directly through press companies and not through their bank; to print their cheques at the earliest only through authorized entities and by taking into consideration that they need to refer back to their bank to provide them with the mandated standards and security features before printing these cheques.

It is important to note that in addition to the cheques conforming to the standards and security features, the following instructions are followed by all clients to facilitate the clearing of their cheques through the new Kuwait Electronic Cheque Clearing System (KECCS), in which the clearing cycle of cheques has been reduced from 3 days to the same day for certain cases or to the next working day in other cases.

They need to ensure that the MICR line that is printed at the bottom of the cheque. They also need to avoid writing or signing over the MICR line at the bottom of the cheque. Furthermore, they need to keep the cheques in a good condition by avoiding folding, damaging, stapling or tearing cheques. In addition, they must avoid storing cheques in places that are warm or under direct sunlight (e.g. car) as it can damage the cheques and will not be accepted for processing. Also, they must ensure the availability of sufficient funds in the account before issuing the cheques (Cheques returned due to insufficient funds may lead to criminal persecutions).

Adherence to the above mentioned by all clients are strongly recommended to ensure the acceptance and processing of the cheques under KECCS and to highly benefit from the new system.

© Kuwait Times 2016