The Clearing House Interbank Payment System (CHIPS) is a major electronic payment system used for the settlement of large-value, time-critical transactions denominated in US dollars.
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CHIPS is operated by The Clearing House, a banking association and payments company owned by the largest commercial banks in the United States.
Here’s an overview of how CHIPS works and its key features:
- Settlement of Large-Value Payments:
- CHIPS primarily facilitates the settlement of high-value payments between banks and financial institutions. These payments often involve interbank transfers for transactions such as securities trades, corporate payments, foreign exchange transactions, and other large-value transfers.
- Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS):
- CHIPS operates on a real-time gross settlement (RTGS) basis, which means that each transaction is settled individually and immediately, without netting against other transactions. This ensures that payments are final and irrevocable, minimizing counterparty risk and providing certainty of settlement.
- High Volume and Value:
- CHIPS processes a high volume of transactions on a daily basis, with many transactions representing significant monetary values. It is one of the largest payment systems in the world in terms of transaction volume and value, handling billions of dollars in transactions daily.
- Membership and Participation:
- CHIPS membership is limited to financial institutions, including banks, broker-dealers, and other eligible entities. Participants must meet certain membership criteria and adhere to CHIPS operating rules and procedures.
- Participants use CHIPS to send and receive payments on behalf of themselves and their customers. CHIPS transactions can be initiated through various channels, including direct input, automated interfaces, and third-party service providers.
- Operating Hours and Processing:
- CHIPS operates on business days according to a predefined schedule of processing windows. Transactions submitted during processing windows are queued for settlement and processed according to CHIPS rules and procedures.
- CHIPS transactions are processed electronically through a secure network, with funds transferred between participant accounts held at CHIPS-designated settlement banks. Settlement occurs in real time, and participants receive immediate confirmation of completed transactions.
- Regulatory Oversight and Risk Management:
- CHIPS is subject to regulatory oversight by the Federal Reserve System and other regulatory authorities responsible for overseeing payment and settlement systems. The Clearing House and CHIPS participants adhere to regulatory requirements and risk management practices to ensure the safety, soundness, and efficiency of the system.
Overall, CHIPS plays a critical role in facilitating the settlement of high-value payments in the US dollar market, providing a secure and efficient infrastructure for interbank transfers and financial transactions. Its real-time gross settlement mechanism, high transaction volume, and robust risk management framework make it a vital component of the global financial system.