The Central Bank of the UAE introduced the ICCS in 2008. Its objective is to allow the truncation of cheques at the point of acceptance whilst providing a safe, secure, efficient and robust payment mechanism in the United Arab Emirates.

Banks will settle cheques issued on accounts held by them based on electronic images of these cheques. The ICCS reduces payment infrastructure dependence on physical movement of the paper cheque, thus facilitating shorter clearing and settlement cycles.

It also enables quicker realisation of funds on these items. Cheques deposited at any bank branch by 10am are cleared by 5pm the same day. The system’s efficiency and governance is ensured by compliance with domestic and international standards, as well as the CBUAE’s Rules document.

In the CBUAE’s adopted model, a cheque envelope (CE) encapsulates images of the individual items. A Presenting Bank generates the CE for delivery to the Issuing Bank. The CBUAE is the Clearing House for all cheques, acting as the intermediary for all data and image flow between the collecting and paying bank, and ensures that delivery and settlement happen in a timely, predictable and efficient manner.

The CBUAE also acts as the national central archive for all items delivered via the ICCS. This archive is available to all banks, providing access to the images of cheques cleared via ICCS, as per the ICCS Rules document.