| BACS - Bankers Automated Clearing Services | |||||||||||||||||
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| | EXIT | BACS History | BACS Payments | CHAPS | Voca | SWIFT | CREST | Links | | |||||||||||||||||
BACS History Throughout the 1960s, all transactions between banks were entirely paper based. However, in 1968 the Inter-Bank Computer Bureau set up a secure, streamlined method of handling payments, which reduced processing time and human errors. In 1971 the company name was changed to the Bankers Automated Clearing Services. The function of the BACS company was primarily to provide a central clearing function for bulk automated payments. In 1985 it shortened its name to BACS Limited and expanded its membership to include building societies. On 1st December 2003, following a review, BACS split into two companies BACS Ltd and BACS Payment Schemes Limited (BPSL).
Each company could then focus on its specialist area...
BACS Payment Schemes Ltd Is a membership based (not for profit) business dedicated to enhancing the integrity of the payment schemes. "BACS Payment Schemes Limited is a membership-based industry body whose role is to develop, enhance and promote the use and integrity of automated payment and payment-related services. It promotes best practice amongst those companies who offer payment services and is responsible for the associated payment clearing and settlement services." The BPSL members are made up of the twelve following member banks and building societies:
BACS Payments
BACS cycle The three day cycle (minimum three English bank working days) taken for a payment instruction to be submitted to BACS for processing and the time it reaches the destination account. The processing cycle has the following stages: arrival, input, processing and entry.
Direct Debit
Direct Credit "Direct Credit - A simple secure and reliable service, which enables large and small organisations to make payments by electronic transfer directly into bank or building society accounts." "Over 90% of people are currently paid using the BACS Direct Credit salary service." Note: In the 21st century, many pensions and benefits are paid via Direct Credit. "On 1 April 2003, the official start of the direct payment programme, the only full current account banking service available through post offices was for Alliance and Leicester customers. Alliance and Leicester current account holders could (and can), using their bank card, withdraw cash, deposit cash and make balance enquiries." "Since April 2003, the way your State Pension is paid has changed. Instead of using pension books, giro cheques or payable orders, your money is paid straight into an account of your choice. You receive the same amount at the usual time." "Clearing House Automated Payments System. A system providing same day settlement between financial institutions for low volume, high value transactions."
The early days of BACS used advanced technology for the time, but were a far cry from the electronic processing of today. 1975 saw the introduction powerful transaction processors, CEFT to make this process even faster and secure. Data for CEFT was being read by large magnetic tapes at this point, delivered to BACS' Edgware location by an endless stream of motorcycle couriers.
During the 1990s, the following services were rolled out to major users of BACS:
Voca is responsible for promoting the Direct Debit service to the general public, consumers, and businesses, through the use timely marketing and campaigns.
At the beginning of the 1970s instructions and messages between banks was still sent via telex, which was based on semi-automated electric typewriters (teleprinters). This was a comparatively slow service and not suited to handling the volume of transactions which a busy bank could generate. Working from an office in Brussels, a co-operative representing 239 banks across 15 countries created a vision of a shared worldwide processing link with a common language for international financial transactions. Thus the Society for the Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication or SWIFT was established in 1973. On 1st July 1992 an important new service the Interbank File Transfer (IFT) went live to handle a range of bulk data transfers including mass payments, cheque truncation and internal reporting. In the 21st century, the SWIFT networking extends across 198 countries.
CREST is the computerised system that transfers gilts, shares and corporate bonds electronically, without using certificates. CREST is not an acronym.
Euroclear Euroclear was established in 1968 to settle eurobond transactions. Euroclear Bank, based in Brussels, Belgium, offers a single access point to securities services in over 25 equity markets and over 30 bond markets worldwide. CREST CREST is the computerised system that transfers gilts, shares and corporate bonds electronically, without using certificates. In June 1993 a Task Force reported to the Governor of the Bank of England recommending a new cost effective service for UK equity settlements. On 15th July 1996 CREST was inaugarated by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hn Kenneth Clark QC, MP. And on 19th August 1996 CREST settled the first transactions.
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