Under the terms of the contract, Unisys will help the bank migrate its cheque processing operations to a Microsoft .NET framework, enabling integration into a standard server environment. This implementation should lead to an increase in processing speeds and greater operational flexibility over the legacy centralised cross border cheque processing system.

The new framework will allow the bank to process up to 200 foreign-based cheques per minute, says the vendor.

Arno Schellekens, head of operations payments and savings, at Rabobank, comments: “It was important we worked with a partner who could utilise our existing infrastructure to drive cost and productivity efficiencies across our business, yet still give us the flexibility to modernise and adapt for the future."

As part of the agreement, Unisys will also implement its Quantum NDP200 high-speed document scanner to process Rabobank’s foreign-based cheques. In addition, the deal specifies a new support and maintenance contract which will extend the existing relationship with the bank.

Says Bart Steukers, managing partner, global industries, Continental Europe at Unisys: “Despite the Netherlands shift away from checks years ago, foreign checks remain a significant part of Rabobank’s transactions. This solution, which maximises the benefits application modernisation and systems integration, will help Rabobank more easily adapt to future changes as cheque usage continues to decline globally and banking evolves more to a paperless environment.”