Payments Council

Payments Council is the organisation that sets strategy for UK payments.  It has been established to ensure that UK payment systems and services meet the needs of users, payment service providers and the wider economy.

It was set up in March 2007 and currently has 28 members; the Board has 11 banking representatives, four independent Directors and an independent Chairman.

The principal UK payment schemes – Bacs, CHAPS and Cheque & Credit Clearing Companies, LINK Scheme as well as the UK Domestic Cheque Guarantee Card Scheme, the Belfast Bankers' Clearing Company Limited and the Currency Clearings – have entered into a contract with the Payments Council to set out their respective rights and duties towards each other. Under the contract, schemes are required to report regularly to the Payments Council Board: the Board is able to make decisions that are binding on scheme members in order to implement its strategy.

Please visit www.paymentscouncil.org.uk for more information.