FAQs on Cheque Usage

Cheque Issuance Fee

  1. Why is there a need to impose charges for the use of cheques?

    Along with the industry, DBS/POSB will be implementing a fee for every SGD- denominated and local USD-denominated cheque issued from DBS/POSB Deposit accounts, starting 1 November 2023. This is in support of the nationwide move to drive the continued adoption of e-payments. For more information, please visit here.
  2. When will the bank start to charge for cheque issuance? What is the fee?

    Starting 1 November 2023, DBS/POSB will implement a subsidised fee of S$0.75 on every SGD-denominated cheque issued from DBS/POSB Deposit accounts. We understand that some customers may require more time to transition to digital payments, and we will be waiving cheques issued by customers 60 years old and above, from 1 November 2023 to 31 December 2025.
  3. When will the cheque issuance fee be debited from my account?

    The fee will be debited from your DBS/POSB Deposit account within 3 working days from when the cheque is deposited into the recipient’s account.
  4. Which account will the cheque issuance fee be debited from if I have more than one account with DBS?

    The fee will be debited from the DBS/POSB Deposit Account from which the cheque was issued.
  5. How will the charges be reflected in the digibank transaction history and monthly statement for cheques issued from DBS/POSB Deposit accounts?

    The transaction will be reflected as either of these, based on account type

    “CIF”
    “Cheque Issuance Fee” or
    “Advice Cheque Issuance Fee”

    For more details on all the transaction codes please click here
  6. Are there any fees for cheque deposits?

    DBS is currently not charging cheque deposit fees.
  7. What are the prevailing cheque related fees, such as for cheques, cheque books and current accounts?

    For all existing cheque related fees, please refer to our Deposits Guide here.
  8. What alternatives do I have to using cheques?

    The bank offers a wide range of payment alternatives for your payment needs:
    • DBS/POSB digibank: Experience the ease of banking with our digibank app, for seamless funds transfers and PayNow transactions.
    • Interbank GIRO or GIRO: Set up GIRO for convenient and automated bill payments.
    • AXS machines: Make payments at any AXS machine located island-wide.
    • Use International Money Transfers to replace local USD cheques. Click here for more details.
  9. How to sign up for digibank?

    You may sign up for DBS/POSB digibank with just your smartphone and Singpass, without the need to visit a branch. Please visit this page for the steps to download and set up digibank.

General Cheque Issuance

  1. How do I issue a cheque to pay someone?

    • Write the full name of the payee as per payee's bank records on the 'Pay' line
    • Cross out the 'Bearer' word on the cheque and double cross on the top left corner of the cheque if it has to be paid only to the said payee
    • If any amendments are required, cancel with a horizontal line and sign your full signature beside it
  2. How do I issue cash cheque?

    • Write "Cash" on the 'Pay' line
    • Do not cross the cheque or cross out the 'Bearer' word

      Click here for instructions on how to write a cheque.

  3. How can I check the status of my issued Cheque?

    You will be able to check the status of your issued cheque through iBanking.
    • Login to iBanking with your User ID and PIN
    • Select Requests and click on More Requests
    • Under Other Services, click on View Cheque Status
    • Login with your 6-Digit iB Secure Pin
    • Select the Account which you have issued the cheque from
    • Input the Cheque no. (s) which you would like to enquire on and click Next

      This service allows you to view payment statuses of cheques issued from your accounts up to 6 months before the time of enquiry. Both presented and unpresented cheques statuses outside of this period will show as "Details not available"

General Cheque Deposit

  1. What are the details I need to provide on the cheque to deposit?

    You will need to provide your full name as per Bank's records, your bank account number and your contact number at the back of the cheque before depositing it at our Quick Cheque Facilities. Ensure that your full name, date, amount in words and figure (which tally) and issuer's signature are completed on the front of the cheque. Refer to the Quick Cheque Facilities section for details on how to deposit your cheque.

  2. When will my account be credited for cheque deposit?

    Please refer to the table below:

    Type of Currency

    Cheque(s) Deposited on:

    Funds available:

    SGD (Cut-off time 3.30pm, Mon – Fri excluding Public Holidays)

    Thursday (before cut-off time)

    Friday (after 2pm)

    Thursday (after cut-off time)

    Monday (after 2pm)

    Friday (before cut-off time)

    Monday (after 2pm)

    Friday (after cut-off time)

    Tuesday (after 2pm)

    Saturday

    Tuesday (after 2pm)

    USD (Local clearing) (Cut-off time 1pm, Mon – Fri excluding Public Holidays & US Holidays)

    Thursday (before cut-off time)

    Friday (after 2pm)

    Thursday (after cut-off time)

    Monday (after 2pm)

    Friday (before cut-off time)

    Monday (after 2pm)

    Friday (after cut-off time)

    Tuesday (after 2pm)

    Saturday

    Tuesday (after 2pm)

    Other Currencies (non-SGD) and USD (non- local clearing)

    N.A.

    Minimum of 30 working days

    Note: 
    If you need funds urgently or you want to transfer funds or pay bills conveniently, you may consider the following modes of transfer or payment:

    SGD


    Other Currencies

    • You’ll be glad to know that DBS Remits allow you to perform same-day transfers at lower fees when you transfer money online to selected countries via Internet Banking.  Click here to find out more.
    • You may also send and receive funds via Overseas Funds Transfer.
  3. The payee portion of my cheque has my name and another person's name. Can I deposit it into my personal account?

    It depends if the word 'and' or 'or' is used between the names.

    If 'and' is used, cheque can only be deposited to a joint alternate or joint all account belonging to you and the other person.

    If 'or' or 'and/or' is used, cheque can be deposited to:

    • a joint alternate or joint all account belonging to you and the other person or
    • your personal account or
    • the other person's personal account

Quick Cheque Facilities

  1. What is a Quick Cheque Deposit Box (QCD)?

    This service allows you to deposit cheques into a collection box at any of our DBS/POSB branches.

  2. What types of cheques can I deposit into QCD?

    You can deposit S$ and foreign currency cheques. Remember to provide correct DBS/POSB account number and contact number of payee at back of cheque for the deposit.

    Note: When using deposit slip, please use one slip per currency

Foreign Currency Cheques

  1. Will I be charged for depositing a foreign currency cheque?

    Please refer to the table below:

    Type of Currency

    Charges:

    USD cheques cleared via
    Singapore USD Cheque
    Clearing System

    Free

    Other Currencies (non-SGD) and USD (non- local clearing)

    1/8% (min. S$10, max. S$100)
    per cheque

    Note:

    • Foreign Currency cheques will be sent for clearing and your account will be credited after the proceeds are available.
    • Postage, Handling Commission, Agent charges and any other fees (where applicable) will be debited separately.
  2. Do I need to provide documents to support the clearing of overseas cheque?

    Yes. Supporting documents, e.g. payment invoices, dividend advice, insurance advice, etc. are required for clearing of cheque amount above MYR10,000.00 and any amount of THB cheque.

  3. Can I deposit MYR cheque with amendment but with countermanded signature?

    No. Countermanded MYR cheque is not accepted for clearing by agent bank. Cheque will be returned by registered mail to customer registered address in bank's record.

  4. Do I need to provide my endorsement for clearing of overseas cheque?

    Yes. Besides providing correct DBS/POSB account number of payee, all cheques require customer's endorsement on the back of cheque OR specific endorsement area on the face of cheque.

  5. Are there cheque currencies not accepted for deposit?

    Yes. Cheque currency without ‘Buying Rate’, CNH [Chinese Renminbi (Offshore)], DKK [Danish Kroner], CHF [Swiss Franc], NOK [Norwegian Krone], NZD [New Zealand Dollar], SEK [Swedish Krona] & ZAR [South African Rand] cannot be accepted for collection. However, MYR [Malaysian Ringgit] & MOP [Macau Pataca] can be accepted.

  6. What alternatives do I have to using local USD cheques?

    Use International Money Transfers to replace local USD cheques. Click here for more details.

Unsuccessful and Returned Cheques

  1. Will I be notified if my cheque deposit is unsuccessful?

    When a cheque that you have deposited into your account is returned unpaid, you will receive an Image Return Document (IRD) instead of the cheque. The IRD serves as a notice of dishonour and replaces the original cheque.

    Note: IRD must be presented back to the same bank. No amendment allowed on the IRD.

  2. What do I do if I receive an IRD?

    You should look at the bottom half of the IRD to determine the reason why the cheque is unpaid as well as whether you can deposit/present the bottom half of the IRD to the bank. You can deposit an IRD only from DBS back to our bank's QCDs. Please click here for a guide to handling the IRD.

  3. What should I do if the 'Reason for Return' is "Refer to Drawer" & "Effects not Cleared" "Exceeds Arrangement" & "Awaiting Banker's Confirmation?

    • Refer to drawer: Clarifications have to be sought from the person who issued the cheque
    • Effects not cleared: There were incoming funds to the cheque issuer's account but they did not clear in time to fund this cheque
    • Exceeds Arrangement: The cheque amount may have exceeded the transfer limit on the issuer's account. Please clarify with the cheque issuer
    • Awaiting Banker's Confirmation: It is pending issuer's bank confirmation to release the payment

    In such cases, you will have to liaise with the cheque issuer for the next course of action.

  4. Will the bank charge me if my SGD/USD (local clearing) cheque that I deposited is returned because of unsuccessful clearing?

    No. There is no charge for that.

  5. Will the bank charge me if the cheque that I issued is returned?

    For SGD Cheques and USD (Local Clearing), outward return cheque due to Insufficient Funds, Effects Not Cleared & Not Arranged For will be charged $40 per cheque and a charge for incidental overdraft (OD) interest of a minimum of $20.

  6. Will the bank charge me if other currencies (non-SGD) and USD (non-local clearing) cheque that I deposited is returned because of unsuccessful clearing?

    You will be charged Handling Commission of 1/8% (min. S$10, max. S$100) per cheque plus postage S$6.50 and agent charges (where applicable).

Cheque Image Retrieval Charges

Direct mark cheque S$100 per cheque
Retrieval of physical cheque (only available within 1 year of clearing date) S$50 per cheque
Retrieval of cheque image  
  • Within 1 year of clearing date
 S$20 per copy
  • Between 1 and 3 years from clearing date
 S$30 per copy
  • More than 3 years from clearing date
 S$50 per copy

Click here to submit a request for cheque image retrieval.