Check/Check 21 Services

Check Platform Modernization initiative update — testing dates

July 15, 2012

As previously announced, the Federal Reserve Banks have embarked on an initiative to modernize the System’s check processing platform. Migration to the new platform will result in a fully centralized, scalable and flexible processing environment to support high quality, efficient check services.

On June 27, 2012 (PDF), we provided you with more specifics on testing dates and conversion time frames. Customer testing will occur in two phases:

• Phase 1 Testing
  The initial phase begins July 9, 2012, and is scheduled to conclude August 3, 2012. Customers targeted to participate in this phase (primarily customers receiving PDF files) have already been notified.
• Phase 2 Testing
  The second phase will begin August 6, 2012, and conclude October 19, 2012.

Please note, additional notice and testing details will be provided at least two weeks prior to the dates for testing opportunities specific to your institution.

All financial institutions and processors who send and receive files directly are encouraged to test, regardless of whether activity is for your institution or on behalf of other financial institutions.

Based on the successful completion of customer testing, we are targeting a late fall implementation. Our current plans call for producing substitute checks on our new platform in the mid-late September time frame. This will be followed by the production of PDF files in late September to mid-October. Finally, deposits and presentments of all image cash letters will occur through our new platform in late October to mid-November. Specific dates will be provided in early September once we have an opportunity to assess our customer testing results.

For information regarding this initiative, visit the Check Platform Modernization Resource Center or contact Check Services Customer Support at (877) 372-2457 with any questions.

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