Compliant Cheques FAQs

A compliant cheque refers to any printed cheque that follows the Canadian Payments Association (CPA) standard 006 and is compatible with the TT Electronic Cheque Clearing System (ECCS).

CPA Standards and format required for cheques include the following:

• Specific dimensions / measurements for cheque sizes, and placement of data fields to ensure accurate reading on the software.
• Date format standardised to read as DD/MM/YYYY.
• Cheque paper, which would change from ‘bond’ to ‘security grade’ paper (similar to Manager’s cheques).
• Light pastel coloured ink will be required on background screening / images.
• Date and amount fields should be within a blank white box.
• Teller’s stamp box on the reverse of cheques.
• Endorsement line on the reverse of cheques.
• The MICR encoding area should be 5/8” and band remains clear of background screening.
• Borders are not permitted within the 1.59cm (5/8") clear MICR band.

The implementation of the Electronic Cheque Clearing System (ECCS) will introduce automation within the cheque clearing processing. The current process of the manual exchange and settlement of physical cheques will be replaced with the electronic submission and settlement of truncated, imaged local TTD denominated cheques between Participant Banks in Trinidad and Tobago. This is an initiative supported by the Bankers Association of Trinidad and Tobago (BATT) and the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT).

The manual and paper-based process is being automated to create a more efficient cheque clearing process. The real time electronic exchange of cheque images and related transactional data between all commercial Banks is more efficient, without the next-day requirement of a physical exchange of cheques. The processing of these transactions and corresponding credits or debits to personal and corporate customer accounts would be supported by an Electronic Funds Transfer solution.

Yes, it is mandatory as all commercial Banks will be required to electronically exchange cheque images with standardised cheques.

New orders for cheques should be done immediately by contacting your branch or Account Manager.
Once your existing retail cheque book was received after May 2020 and your Commercial cheque book was received after January 2021; more than likely you already have the compliant cheque book in hand. Please verify with the compliant cheque design on our website or contact your branch.

a. Improved monitoring by Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago.
b. Enhanced fraud mitigation capabilities.
c. More secure processing via the Electronic Cheque Clearing System and enhanced cheque security features.

Based on the updated industry-wide cheque standard, effective May 5th, 2023, we will no longer accept cheques over the counter, via the ABM and Nightsafe that do not comply with the newly implemented Electronic Cheque Clearing System, including those from other local Banks. You will need to request updated cheque books from your branch or Account Manager.

The cost of bank issued Retail and Commercial cheques will remain the same (see fee listing below).

Regular Cheque Books:
2x25 - $29.00
4X25-$42.00

Duplicate cheque Books:
2X25-$42.00
4X25-$59.00

Commercial Cheque Books:
2X50 - $43.00
1X100-$43.00
4X50-$72.00

** Printeries will advise special cheque customers if there is an increase in the cost of printing the revised special cheques.

This is an industry wide change mandated by Central Bank of Trinidad & Tobago for cheques to be accepted by the Electronic Cheque Clearing (ECC) system. Cheques not accepted by the ECC system will have to be physically exchanged and this extended acceptance of non-compliant cheques will cease on May 5, 2023.

If you do not replace your cheques, the old-format cheques will not be accepted by any Bank in Trinidad and Tobago. As such, you will be required to transact from your chequing account via other means, for example: branch, ATM or online banking services – RepublicOnline and RepublicMobile App.

Republic Bank Manager’s Cheques with the old format will still be accepted until further notice.

You can request new cheque books via the following:
a. via the cheque book requisition form in your existing cheque book. Simply, fill out this form and submit it to the nearest branch of Republic Bank to place the order.
b. via the Service Request menu on RepublicOnline.
c. by placing an order through Account Manager or Corporate Manager for Commercial cheques.

Yes. The bank waived the charge for exchange and replacement of cheque books up to April 29th, 2022. The normal fee now applies.

Yes. At the point of ordering your new cheque books, you can specify which branch you would like to collect the order.

Cheque books can only be collected at our branches.

Cheque books are usually received from the printers within 2-3 weeks.

No, the new cheque book would start from the next cheque range e.g.: if the last cheque used in the old cheque book was #268 the new cheque book will start from cheque #300.

Images of your paid cheques are available via Republic Online. Retail customers can access up to 500 images and Corporate customers up to 1000 images.

i. Log into your Retail account via https://republiconline.republictt.com
ii. Select “My Accounts”

iii. Go to the account that is linked to your cheque book

iv. Select “Transaction History”

v. Select “View Cheque”

i. Select “My accounts”

ii. Select account that is linked to cheque book

iii. Go to “Transaction History”

iv. Select “View Cheque”

Customers will no longer be receiving physical returned cheques. Cheques returned for various discrepancies e.g. words & figures differ insufficient funds or stale-dated will now be retained by the bank accepting the deposit. The customer will only receive a copy of the item for their further action. The timelines for contacting customers for any cheque related discrepancy is reduced.

Four working days excluding the date of deposit.

Login and then from dashboard, select “Other Services”

Select “New Request”

Click on “3. Apply for New Cheque Book”

Enter the particulars of the request then select “Submit”

Login and then select “Service Request”

Select “New Application”

Click the drop-down arrow and select “Apply for New Cheque Book”

Enter the particulars of the request then select “Continue”

Review order and then select “Confirm”

Foreign currency cheques in the old cheque format will continue to be accepted. Only TTD cheques are processed via the Electronic Cheque Clearing System and therefore need to be compliant.