Chequing Accounts

Electronic Cheque Clearing System

The Electronic Cheque Clearing System (ECCS) is an automated, image-based system which will facilitate the electronic exchange and settlement of cheque transactions in Trinidad and Tobago (TT) dollars when drawn against local banks from personal and business accounts across Trinidad and Tobago. This industry-wide initiative is supported by the Banker’s Association of Trinidad and Tobago (BATT) and Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT) to provide a faster, more secure and automated payment settlement service to you.

Benefits of an Electronic Cheque Clearing System

Enhanced cheque security elements
Standardized cheque features
Upgraded cheque paper
Updated security standards
Improved fraud detection systems
Funds are available within 3 business days
Shorter cheque clearing cycle

first citizens electronic cheque statement benefits

Standardisation and Enhancement of the Security Features in Our Cheques!

First Citizens is pleased to advise that we have upgraded our cheques aimed at enhancing customer safety and facilitating easier and faster processing of cheques. This upgrade has become necessary as we seek to implement an industry-wide Electronic Cheque Clearing System that will improve the efficiency of the cheque clearing process.

What are the expected changes to my cheques?

All customer cheques have been standardised in compliance with the Canadian CPA 006 Standard. These changes include:

Standardised formatting and positions for key fields of all Personal, Commercial and Corporate cheques
Upgraded cheque paper
Enhanced security features
Light pastel coloured ink on background screening/images
Teller crossing stamp and Endorsement area at the reverse side
Date format standardised to DD MM YYYY
Alterations in material fields (such as date, payee name, words and figures, and signature field) are not allowed
Cheques must be written in black or blue ink ball point pens only

Example of CPA Standard Format

Is this new cheque format mandatory for all customers?

Yes. The revised cheque format is mandatory, as it is required for an industry-wide transition to an electronic exchange of cheque images among commercial banks. Customers with customised cheques are also required to adopt these amendments. All clients are therefore encouraged to urgently replace their non-compliant cheques by 5^th May, 2023.

Please contact your respective Branch/ Account Manager for further details.

How do I order Canadian CPA 006 Compliant Cheques?

Updated cheque books can be ordered via any of the channels outlined below:

1) Visit our website: firstcitizenstt.com to complete the Cheque Book Ordering Form. Once completed your cheque book(s) will be delivered to your door, at a minimal cost

2) Log in to your Online Banking (Personal Cheque holders), click on the My Services tab and select the Reorder Cheques option. Choose your account and enter your details; your cheque book(s) will be delivered to you or your selected Branch

3) Contact your Account Relationship Manager (Commercial/Corporate Cheque holders)

4) Visit any of our Branches

IMPORTANT: All cheques orders must be fulfilled by the Bank’s approved vendors

Are there Alternative Payment Options to process my transactions?

Alternative faster payment methods are available to corporate and personal clients via:

Efirst Corporate Platform – Offering services for more efficient management of your company’s finances, vendor/supplier and bill payments, salary processing, direct deposits and much more.
Online /Mobile and Telebanking: Personal customers can also make use of our Online Banking, Mobile banking and Telebanking solutions to make your everyday banking easy.

Are there any additional costs for the new cheques?

Ordinary cheque books would be supplied at no additional costs at this time.
Special cheque books can be ordered at an additional cost.

What is an Electronic Cheque Clearing System (ECCS)?

What are the benefits of the ECCS?

The benefits of the ECCS include:

Faster access to funds, reduction of cheque holds on other bank cheques in the future
Enhanced cheque security through improved cheque security features
Enhanced fraud mitigation capabilities via Customer Cheque Verification built into the solution when full cheque truncation is realised
Faster payments to vendors
Facilitation of online image based statements
Further to the implementation of the ECCS system and the enactment of the legislation to support electronic cheque images, commercial banks would no longer be required to exchange physical cheques and would utilize electronic cheque copies to clients upon system implementation.
Standardisation of cheque features throughout the industry

For further details send us an email at ppcchqbkorders@firstcitizenstt.com

Contact your Account Relationship Manager.

Personal Chequing

Your first option for easy chequing!

When managing your finances becomes challenging, our Personal Chequing account can help you manage your finances. You’ll have easy access to your funds when you use this convenient and secure account.

The Personal Chequing account is a convenient account that is just right and it delivers competitive returns on balances $500,000 and over. This chequing account also offers a standing order facility to take care of regular monthly payments.

Start with a deposit of at least TT$250
Quick and easy access to your funds
Monthly statements to track your spending
Salary Processing and Standing Order facilities
Competitive fees

Insured by the DIC Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago. (Up to $200,000)

Super Chequing

Let your balance pay you with interest!

The Super Chequing Account is an added value account which you can start with just $500 for those who want easy access plus earnings! This chequing account has a standing order facility to take care of regular monthly payments.

There are also no monthly service fees when you maintain a balance of $2,500 and this account earns interest on balances over $1,000.

Start with a deposit of at least TT$500
Earn interest on balances of TT$500 and over
No service charges when your balance stays above TT$2,500
Monthly statements to track your spending
Salary Processing and Standing Order facilities

Insured by the DIC Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago. (Up to $200,000)

Money Maker

Earn higher interest with our prestige deposit chequing account!

You can benefit from our Money Maker Chequing Account which is tailored to savers with lump sums of $15,000 and over. It delivers high yields and a range of free services. This chequing account suits persons that want a transactional as well as an interest bearing account.

The Money Maker Chequing Account offers a flexible and optional overdraft facility which helps you to take care of unexpected expenses. This chequing account also offers tiered interest rates, which means the higher your balance, the greater your reward.

Start with a deposit of at least TT$15,000
High multi-tiered interest calculated daily and credited monthly
Salary Processing and Standing Order facilities
Range of free services

Insured by the DIC Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago. (Up to $200,000)

Evergreen

Extra special benefits for our customers aged 50 and over!

You can enjoy the fruits of your labour after the age of 50 with the First Citizens Evergreen Account.

It offers personalised service, retirement planning, greater access to your funds and health benefits.

High multi-tiered interest calculated daily and credited monthly
No Service Charges once the minimum balance is maintained
Free annual TTARP* membership
Several free and important services from us
Medical discounts

*TTARP – Trinidad and Tobago Association for Retired Persons