Introduction

The Clearing House Automated Payment System (CHAPS) is a high-value payment system in the UK, primarily used for large, time-critical transactions. Renowned for its reliability and efficiency, CHAPS is often employed for significant financial exchanges like property purchases or large corporate transfers, providing same-day settlement as long as instructions are received within the cut-off time.

History of CHAPS

CHAPS was established in 1984 as the first real-time gross settlement system in the UK. It was created to handle high-value, urgent payments and reduce the risks associated with the then-prevailing paper-based payment methods. Initially used by banks and financial institutions, CHAPS has since become integral to the broader UK economy, processing trillions of pounds annually and facilitating large-scale transactions with high security and efficiency.

Business Scenario

'Quantum Technologies Ltd.', a tech firm based in Birmingham, needs to urgently settle an invoice of £500,000 with 'Innovative Solutions Ltd.', a software vendor based in Leeds. Quantum Technologies has its account with NatWest, while Innovative Solutions banks with HSBC.

CHAPS Transfer Process

Costs and Timeline

CHAPS, known for its utility in processing high-value payments, typically incurs fees that reflect its specialized nature. These fees range from £25 to £35 per transaction, with possible variations based on the banking institution and specific customer agreements. This cost structure positions CHAPS as a premium service, particularly when compared to other payment methods like BACS or Faster Payments. The defining feature of CHAPS is its ability to facilitate same-day settlement of transactions, provided instructions are submitted before the bank’s specific cut-off times, which generally fall between 2 pm and 5 pm.

While there are several advantages to the system, it's important to also recognize its limitations. Let's take a look at both the benefits and the challenges to fully understand the system's features-

Conclusion

As the UK stands as a pivotal point in the global business landscape, particularly for those targeting European markets, setting up an entity and leveraging CHAPS can be challenging. Finofo bridges this gap, offering the tools to operate as though you're a local UK business. This includes optimizing your use of CHAPS for payments to and from customers or suppliers. Finofo's comprehensive services allow for holding, receiving, and sending money, facilitating smoother financial transactions in the UK.

Curious to know the cost of sending supplier payments to UK using local payment rails like BACS through Finofo?

Check it out here – finofo.com/tools/send-money/united-kingdom