Cross-Border Foreign Cheques

01. How are foreign cheques cleared?

02. How do consumers know whether or not their bank or building society will provide value immediately on a foreign cheque?

03. Do all banks charge the same for cross-border cheque payments (either accepting or sending) and where can I get more information?

04. Does the 2-4-6 promise apply to foreign cheques paid into accounts in the UK, or UK cheques paid into accounts abroad?

05. Is it true that you can use euro-denominated cheques in the UK?

06. Are there maximum times for clearing cheques from certain countries, e.g. within the EU, from the US, etc?

07. If a beneficiary's bank or building society provided value immediately on a foreign cheque, which was subsequently returned unpaid, can the beneficiary recover the cost?

08. What kinds of charges are incurred on cross-border cheques that are returned unpaid?

09. Can UK cheques be cleared abroad?

10. What is the advice for UK consumers making or receiving payments abroad?

11. Are there any plans to put in place a cross-border cheque clearing system?

12. What about bankers' drafts? Can you use these cross-border?

13. Where can someone go to get impartial advice?