Circular SINAP 1-228: Characteristics of Payment Instruments Issued by Financial Entities. Update.

"Año de la Reconstrucción de la Nación Argentina" COMUNICACIÓN “A” 8192 11/02/2025 TO FINANCIAL ENTITIES:
Ref.: Circular
SINAP 1-228:
Characteristics of the payment instruments issued by financial entities. Update.
___________________________________________________________________________ We address you to forward the pages that should be incorporated into the referenced norms to update them with Communication “B” 11067. On this Institution's website www.bcra.gob.ar, by accessing “Financial System – LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK – Regulation and summaries – Ordered texts of general regulations”, you will find the modifications made with texts highlighted in special characters (strikethrough and bold). We salute you attentively. CENTRAL BANK OF THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC José L. Nicolucci Matías A. Gutiérrez Girault Luis A. D’Orio Deputy Manager of Payment and Value Surveillance Manager of Payment Systems Principal Manager of Payment Systems and Current Accounts

APPENDIX

• Index -
  2.19. Official nominative payment order
  2.20. Check to be approved according to Communication “A” 4971 from 01.11.09
  2.21. Deferred payment check to be approved according to Communication “A” 4971 from 01.11.09
  2.22. Sight bill of exchange to be approved according to Communication “A” 4971 from 01.11.09
  2.23. Fixed-term bill of exchange to be approved according to Communication “A” 4971 from 01.11.09
  2.24. Nominative fixed-term deposit certificate - front2.24.1. Nominative fixed-term deposit certificate in pesos
  2.24.2. Nominative fixed-term deposit certificate non-transferable/transferible of Value Acquiring Units adjustable by “CER” - Law 25.827 (“UVA”) and Nominative fixed-term deposit certificate non-transferable/transferible of Housing Units adjustable by “ICC” - Law 27.271 (“UVI”)
  2.25. Nominative fixed-term deposit certificate - back2.25.1. Validity until 07.10.14
  2.25.2. Validity between 08.10.14 and 31.10.14
  2.25.3. Validity between 01.11.14 and 30.04.16
  2.25.4. Validity between 01.05.16. and 28.02.19
  2.25.5. Validity between 01.03.19. and 30.04.20
  2.25.6. Validity between 01.05.20. and 31.12.22
  2.25.7. Validity between 01.01.23. and 31.03.24
  2.25.8. Validity from 01.04.24
  Section 3. Submission of homologation requests
  3.1. General provisions
  3.2. Submission notes for the procedure
  3.3. Submission note models
  Correlation table
  B.C.R.A.
  ORDERED TEXT OF THE NORMS ON
  “CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PAYMENT INSTRUMENTS ISSUED BY FINANCIAL ENTITIES” Version: 9a. COMMUNICATION “A” 8192 Validity:
  12/02/2025 Page 2

Methodology to be completed when submitting requests.
3.1. General provisions
3.1.1. Definitions
3.1.1.1 The “document type” refers to the instrument in question: checks (common and deferred payment), fixed-term deposits, bills of exchange, etc. This data must be specified in the submission notes, which must be prepared in accordance with the model included in point 3.3.1. or 3.3.2., as applicable.
3.1.1.2. “Document class” refers to what implies the generation of any of the models valid in Section 2. For example, in the case of checks, the classes are: common and deferred payment; while in the case of nominative fixed-term deposit certificates, there is a single model, and consequently “document class”. The document class in question, if applicable, must be specified in the submission note.
3.1.1.3. For nominative fixed-term deposit certificates, “operation” refers to the classification of the document, as agreed with the depositor. For example, the nominative fixed-term deposit certificate model - front - (contemplated in point 2.24.) could be compensable or non-compensable in the clearing house, transferable or non-transferable, with or without guarantee. This is variable data and, consequently, it is not necessary to indicate it in the note.
3.1.1.4. “Base document” refers to that, of a specific type and class, which materializes at the same time as its printing, and on the same security paper. It contains data of the entity, of the document itself, fixed texts and graphic elements according to the models and current regulations. All data included in the base document are considered fixed data. This implies that homologation must be carried out separately whenever, for example:
− common checks are printed on different sizes of paper; − there is a change of logo, addition of security measure, etc. B.C.R.A. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PAYMENT INSTRUMENTS ISSUED BY FINANCIAL ENTITIES
Section 3. Submission of homologation requests
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3.1.1.5. “Personalization” refers to the imposition by printing technology systems that is performed in a subsequent instance to the preparation of the base documents and covers the remaining data and texts required in the current regulations for each type and class of payment instrument, usually linked to the identification of the payer, the document, the beneficiary and the operation. In this case, we refer to the printed data as variable data.
3.1.2. Compliance criteria
3.1.2.1. All compensable payment instruments must be presented to the Central Bank of the Argentine Republic (BCRA) for homologation.
3.1.2.2. Prior to each new printing process of base documents corresponding to compensable payment instruments, their homologation must be managed; or, having passed 2 years since their last homologation, at the request of the BCRA.
3.1.2.3. Upon the presentation of an instrument for homologation, it will be verified that the financial entity has fulfilled the signing of the “Agreement on truncation of checks and other compensable documents”, in accordance with the terms provided in section 8. of the TO on National Payment System – Checks and other Compensable Instruments. This agreement must be signed by financial entities in order to be authorized to participate in clearing, at the time of starting their activity or when they modify their corporate name.
3.1.2.4. The period between the date of approval of the first stage – which appears in the note issued by the BCRA for these purposes – and the presentation of the second stage, must not be greater than six months. After that period has passed, the first stage procedure must be initiated again.
3.1.3. Homologation procedure
3.1.3.1. Homologation aims to standardize data, format, design and minimum security measures of the documents, making their adulteration or forgery difficult, and consists of two stages:
i. First stage: the BCRA verifies compliance with provisions regarding design, location and quality of data on the models or chromalines received through systematic control, in accordance with the provisions in the norms on “Regulation of the current account”, “Fixed-term deposits and investments” and these norms.
B.C.R.A.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PAYMENT INSTRUMENTS ISSUED BY FINANCIAL ENTITIES
Section 3. Submission of homologation requests
Version: 1a. COMMUNICATION “A” 8192 Validity:
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ii. Second stage: can only be initiated once the BCRA notification that the first stage has been fulfilled is received. In this stage, it is controlled, in the first instance, that the presented samples correspond exactly to the original printing of the model approved in the first stage. Once that control is passed, compliance with the paper and security requirements valid at the time of presentation is controlled.
3.1.3.2. Once the samples are homologated in the second stage, the issuing entity will be authorized to print the base documents corresponding to the presentation made.
3.2. Submission notes for the procedure
The homologation request notes will be sent to the Payment Systems Management and presented through the BCRA Entry Desk. The presentations must be issued and signed by the entities directly, by the area manager or equivalent authority. Every presentation must indicate:
− the stage to be processed;
− the instruments to be homologated, specifying their type and class; − contact data (surname and name, phone, email and area to which the homologation management responsible belongs); − identification of the intervening printing press (name and CUIT number).
3.2.1. First stage
The submission note model contained in point 3.3.1. must be used.
3.2.1.1. To comply with this stage, a model or chromaline for each type and class of document to be homologated must be attached to the note. In the case of checks: one chromaline for common check, another for deferred payment check.
3.2.1.2. The models or chromalines must present the fixed data and all variable data as they will be printed when the document is formed. In the case of the nominative fixed-term deposit certificate, include in the chromaline, the operation recorded by that document, described in point 1.1.3., in order to verify the location given to that data.
B.C.R.A.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PAYMENT INSTRUMENTS ISSUED BY FINANCIAL ENTITIES
Section 3. Submission of homologation requests
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3.2.2. Second stage
The submission note model contained in point 3.3.2. must be used.
3.2.2.1. The file number by which the previous stage was approved must be reported.
3.2.2.2. For each chromaline presented in the first stage (see point 3.2.1), at least 5 duly cancelled copies must be attached, in a closed envelope of a size no larger than A4.
3.2.2.3. The numbering of the presented documents must be detailed, which will correspond to that of the documents themselves, in no case with the number of the printing sheets.
3.2.2.4. Only the physical copies of the documents to be homologated will be sent to the BCRA, not including complete printing sheets, nor paper scraps.
3.3. Submission note models
3.3.1. First stage
Place and date
To
Central Bank of the Argentine Republic
Payment Systems Management
Reconquista 266
(C1003ABF) CABA
We address you in order to send a sample of (type/s and class/s of document/s) for the approval of the first stage of the homologation process. The intervening printing press is (name and CUIT number). For any inconvenience, contact (surname and name, area in which they work, email and contact phone). Yours faithfully. Signature/s of area manager or similar of the requesting entity B.C.R.A. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PAYMENT INSTRUMENTS ISSUED BY FINANCIAL ENTITIES
Section 3. Submission of homologation requests
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3.3.2. Second stage
Place and date
To
Central Bank of the Argentine Republic
Payment Systems Management
Reconquista 266
(C1003ABF) CABA
Ref.: (file number by which the first stage was approved) We address you in order to send 5 (five) copies of (type/s and class/s of document/s) duly cancelled for the approval of the second stage of the homologation process. The numbers of the documents are detailed below (detail the numbers of the documents attached for analysis). The intervening printing press is (name and CUIT number). For any inconvenience, contact (surname and name, area in which they work, email and contact phone). Yours faithfully. Signature/s of area manager or similar of the requesting entity B.C.R.A. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PAYMENT INSTRUMENTS ISSUED BY FINANCIAL ENTITIES
Section 3. Submission of homologation requests
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B.C.R.A.
ORIGIN OF THE PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THE NORMS ON “CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PAYMENT INSTRUMENTS ISSUED BY FINANCIAL ENTITIES” ORDERED TEXT SOURCE NORM OBSERVATIONS Section Point Paragraph Com. Annex or
Chapter Point Paragraph
1.1. “A” 2798 V According to Com. “A” 3728,
4731, 4942, 5158 and “B”
8079.
1.2. “A” 2798 I According to Com. “A” 3728,
3842, 4731, 4942 and 5158.
According to Com. “B” 8079 and
8299.
1.3. “A” 2517 II
1.3.1. “A” 2517 II
1.3.1.1. “A” 2517 II
1.3.2. “A” 2517 II
1.3.2.1. “A” 2517 II
1.4. “A” 15 15.3. According to Com. “A” 3728, 3842
and 5158.
1.5. “A” 2517
1.5.1. “A” 2517 III According to Com. “A” 3728 and “B”
8079.
1.5.2. “A” 2517 IV According to Com. “A” 3728,
4731, 4942 and 5158. According to Com. “B” 8079 and 8299.
1.5.3. “A” 3728 unique According to Com. “A” 4731,
4942, 5158 and “B” 8079.
1.5.4. “A” 3728 unique According to Com. “B” 8079 and
8299.
1.5.5. “A” 15 I 15.
1.6. “A” 3728 According to Com. “B” 8079.
2.
2.1. to 2.9. “A” 2798 I
2.10. “A” 3728 unique 2.1. According to Com. “A” 3842 and “B”
8079.
2.11. “A” 3728 unique 2.2. According to Com. “A” 3842 and “B”
8079.
2.12. “A” 3728 unique 2.3. According to Com. “B” 7602, “A”
3842 and “B” 8079.
2.13. “A” 3728 unique According to Com. “B” 7995 and “B”
8079.
2.14. “A” 3728 unique According to Com. “B” 8299.
2.15. “A” 3728 unique According to Com. “B” 8299.
2.16. “A” 3728 unique According to Com. “B” 8299.
2.17. “A” 3728 unique According to Com. “A” 4731.
2.18. “A” 3728 unique According to Com. “A” 4731.
2.19. “A” 3728 unique According to Com. “A” 4942.
2.20. “A” 3728 unique According to Com. “A” 4977.
2.21. “A” 3728 unique According to Com. “A” 4977.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PAYMENT INSTRUMENTS
ISSUED BY FINANCIAL ENTITIES
ORDERED TEXT SOURCE NORM
OBSERVATIONS Section Point Paragraph Com. Annex or
Chapter Point Paragraph
2.
2.22. “A” 3728 unique According to Com. “A” 4977.
2.23. “A” 3728 unique According to Com. “A” 4977.
2.24.1. “A” 3728 unique According to Com. “A” 5158 and
5192.
2.24.2. “B” 11593
2.25.1. “A” 3728 According to Com. “A” 5192 and “B”
10887.
2.25.2. “B” 10887 According to Com. “A” 5640, 5641
and 5943.
2.25.3. “B” 10887 According to Com. “A” 5640, 5641
and 5943.
2.25.4. “B” 11593 According to Com. “B” 11840.
2.25.5. “B” 11840 According to Com. “A” 6654.
2.25.6. “A” 6973 According to Com. “A” 7697.
2.25.7. “A” 7661 According to Com. “A” 7697 and
8044.
2.25.8. “A” 7985 According to Com. “A” 8044.
3.
3.1. “B” 11067 unique According to Com. “A” 8192.
3.2. “B” 11067 unique According to Com. “A” 8192.
3.3. “B” 11067 unique According to Com. “A” 8192.