Philippine Cheque Printing System

Cheque Print Tool

Fill in the required fields below, then click "Print Cheque" to print on your cheque.

Important Note

  • This will print only the values onto your bank issued cheque.
  • Make sure your printer is properly aligned with the cheque paper before printing.
  • Test on regular paper first and hold it over your cheque to verify alignment.
  • For best results, use the manual feed tray on your printer.
  • Set your printer to "Actual Size" (100%) and disable and scaling options.

Cheque Preview

Guide to Philippine Cheques

What is a Cheque?

A cheque is a written, dated, and signed instrument that directs a bank to pay a specific amount of money to the bearer. It is a negotiable instrument regulated under the Negotiable Instruments Law (Act No. 2031) in the Philippines.

Parts of a Cheque

Understanding the different parts of a cheque is essential for proper completion:

  • Date: When the cheque is written (MM-DD-YYYY format)
  • Payee: The person or entity receiving the payment
  • Amount in Figures: The payment amount in numerical form
  • Amount in Words: The payment amount spelled out in words
  • Signature: The account holder's signature
  • Account Information: Pre-printed details about the account
  • Cheque Number: Unique identifier for each cheque

Types of Cheques in the Philippines

There are several types of cheques used in the Philippines:

  • Bearer Cheque: Payable to whoever holds it
  • Order Cheque: Payable to a specific person or entity
  • Crossed Cheque: Can only be deposited, not cashed
  • Post-dated Cheque: Dated in the future
  • Stale Cheque: Not presented within 6 months of issue
  • Manager's Cheque: Issued by a bank, similar to a cashier's cheque

Cheque Security Features

Modern Philippine cheques include several security features:

  • Watermarks visible when held to light
  • Microprinting that appears as a solid line to the naked eye
  • Security fibers embedded in the paper
  • Chemical-sensitive paper that reacts to tampering
  • MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) line at the bottom

Proper Cheque Writing

To properly write a cheque:

  1. Write the date in MM-DD-YYYY format
  2. Write the payee's name clearly and completely
  3. Write the amount in numbers near the peso sign
  4. Write the amount in words, followed by "pesos only" or "pesos and XX/100 only"
  5. Sign the cheque with your authorized signature

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When writing cheques, avoid these common mistakes:

  • Inconsistency between numerical and written amounts
  • Improper corrections (crossing out is not allowed)
  • Incomplete or missing information
  • Using pencil or erasable ink
  • Forgetting to sign the cheque
  • Improper dating (post-dating without intention)

History of Cheques in the Philippines

Cheques have been utilized in the Philippines since the early 20th century, during the American colonial period. The introduction of American banking practices led to the adoption of cheques as a standard financial instrument. Their usage became more prevalent in the 1950s and 1960s, coinciding with the expansion and modernization of the Philippine banking system.

In recent decades, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has implemented several enhancements to the cheque clearing process. Notably, the Check Image Clearing System (CICS), launched in January 2017, revolutionized cheque processing by enabling electronic clearing, thereby reducing the clearing time from several days to just one banking day.

Cheque Reconciliation

Reconciling your cheques is an important financial practice:

  1. Record all cheques in your register immediately after writing them
  2. Note the cheque number, date, payee, and amount
  3. When you receive your bank statement, compare it with your register
  4. Mark off cleared cheques in your register
  5. Note any discrepancies and contact your bank if necessary
  6. Keep track of outstanding cheques that haven't cleared yet

Digital Alternatives to Cheques

While cheques remain important for many transactions, several digital alternatives are gaining popularity in the Philippines:

  • Electronic Fund Transfers: Direct bank-to-bank transfers
  • Mobile Banking Apps: Convenient transfers using smartphones
  • InstaPay and PESONet: National retail payment systems
  • E-wallets: Services like GCash, PayMaya, and Coins.ph
  • QR Code Payments: Scanning codes for quick transactions

Despite these alternatives, cheques remain valuable for business transactions, large payments, and situations where a paper trail is important for record-keeping or legal purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions