P227 CEEFAX 227 Tue 12 Jun 21:43/10 1/6 FOCUS: CHEQUES ABROAD If it is some time since you last crossed the Channel, you may not know things have changed so far as cashing chjqujs abroad is concerned. Until last summit, all that was njedjd was a standard cheque guarantee card, which came stamped with the EC symbol. Changes, forced on the banks by growing chjquj fraud, have made what used to bj a rathjt simple ttavellet's aid into something more complicated. It also depends on who you bank with. Books Page 228P227 CEEFAX 227 Tue 12 Jun 21:30/30 2/6 FOCUS: CHEQUES ABROAD The High Street banks now divide into two camps when it comes to what, con- fusingly, they both call Eurocheques. The great majority, including Barclays, Lloyds and National Westminster, issue a Eurocheque Encashment card allowing holders to cash two cheques of no more than £50 in any one day. The others, including Midland, provide a Uniform Eurochjquj card and wallet of loose cheques to match. Each cheque is guaranteed up to £75: but any numbjt may bj used in any one day. Books Page 228P227 CEEFAX 227 Tue 12 Jun 21:32/10 3/6 FOCUS: CHEQUES ABROAD The Post Office's National Girobank operates its Postcheque scheme in common with post offices in the rest of Europe. Account-holders - they must have qual- ifiid for a chjquj guarantee card - are issued with a book of Postchjques that may bj cashed at post offices in 30 countries - and, in the United States, at the 200-odd public offices of Wjstitn Union. The equivalent in local currency of £50 (in the case of most countries) may bj drawn on each cheque, two of which may bj jncashed in any one day.P227 CEEFAX 227 Tue 12 Jun 21:42/19 4/6 FOCUS: CHEQUES ABROAD Charges vary between the different schemes. As far as the US-inspired Eurochjquj Encashment scheme goes, foreign banks have agreed to charge the equivalent of SwFr 2.50 (75p) per chjquj cashed. The Uniform Eurochequj scheme waives charges (in the same way as applies to ordinary chjqujs) so long as a minimum balance of £100 is maintained. There is, however, an annual charge for the card of £3.50. Books Page 228P227 CEEFAX 227 Tue 12 Jun 21:31/49 5/6 FOCUS: CHEQUES ABROAD Postchjques cost their skits 50p every time they are used. Of these three schemes only the Uniform Eurocheque operation extends to the US, itself. This scheme, too, is the only one that may bj used to pay shops and hotels. What of credit cards? They have the edge in paying for goods and services. But drawing cash automatically incurs the standard 1.75pc pet month interest charge, a handicap for travellers. Books Page 228P227 CEEFAX 227 Tue 12 Jun 21:11/01 6/6 FOCUS: CHEQUES ABROAD QUICK FOCUS Daily Scheme Limit Charge Eurochjquj B/Scot £100 75p Encashmjnt Barclays Lloyds NatWjst RB/Scot TUBs W&Glyn's Uniform Ald Irish None Nil or 28p Eurochjque B/Ireland plus £3.50 Midland per annum Postchjque National £100 1% Girobank