Account payee cheques: what do they mean?

After opening a bank account, you will be provided with a kit in an envelope. Inside the envelope, you will find important elements which may include ATM/Debit Card, Welcome Letter, Chequebooks etc.  

If you are new to the world of banking, it is rather usual  to come across the term ‘account payee or a/c payee cheque’ and not quite understand what do they actually mean. To learn more about the term in detail, , read on.

What is an account payee cheque?
 

The account payee/ac payee cheque can be defined as a secured type of cheque. That’s because, in this variant of cheques, it is possible for you to transfer money from your bank account only into the payee's account. Furthermore, the recipient of the account payee cheque does not have the authorisation for marking the cheque for anybody else. To further your understanding regarding this type of cheque, it is imperative for you to be aware of the three terms mentioned below:

i) Drawer

The drawer is the entity or the account holder who is writing the cheque and signs on the cheque. Generally, the drawer is the individual whose account is debited.

ii) Drawee

The drawee is the financial institution to which you are writing the cheque. Generally, the banks are examples of the drawee. The drawer is supposed to leave an instruction to the drawee to deduct a sum from their bank account.

iii) Payee

The payee can be described as the account holder or the corporate entity to whom you are transferring money. The cheque is addressed to the name of the payee.

How to issue an account payee cheque?

Here are the steps that are involved in the issue of an account payee cheque:

· While issuing an account payee cheque, it is important for you to draw two parallel crossing lines. You need to draw the said parallel line at the top of the left corner. This step is also referred to as crossing the cheque.

· Right in the middle of the two parallel lines, write ‘account payee only’. It is important to note that without mentioning these words, the bank or drawee will not consider the cheque as the account payee cheque.

Why write an account payee cheque?
 

A primary benefit of account payee cheques is that they might be the safest variant of cheques. That is because the written sum on the cheque can only be deposited into the account of the payee, ensuring that the chances of misuse are very low.

After receiving the payment through this cheque, the payee can’t endorse the account payee cheque to anyone else. This only adds to the security of these cheques. Apart from the secured nature of these cheques, it is also imperative to note that these cheques come with a validity of only three months.

If you ever receive an account payee cheque, it is not possible for you to cash it instantly. To encash it, you are required to deposit the cheque into your Savings Account by filling out the cheque deposit form. After filling out the form, clip a cheque to the form and drop it inside the cheque deposit box or hand it over to the bank official. After that is done, the bank will deposit the money into your account in two or more days.

If you are looking for an easier way of transferring funds, you can download IDFC FIRST Bank’s mobile banking app without paying any additional charges for transactions. Also, you can conduct online money transfers through IMPS, NEFT, and RTGS for seamless online transaction with IDFC FIRST Bank Savings Account

Disclaimer

The contents of this article/infographic/picture/video are meant solely for information purposes. The contents are generic in nature and for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for specific advice in your own circumstances. The information is subject to updation, completion, revision, verification and amendment and the same may change materially. The information is not intended for distribution or use by any person in any jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to law or regulation or would subject IDFC FIRST Bank or its affiliates to any licensing or registration requirements. IDFC FIRST Bank shall not be responsible for any direct/indirect loss or liability incurred by the reader for taking any financial decisions based on the contents and information mentioned. Please consult your financial advisor before making any financial decision.