Perspective

      Due to recent advancements in information and computer technology, new electronic payment instruments are increasing rapidly, leading to a decline in the use of traditional check clearing services. As a result, the growth rate of check clearing services has turned negative. However, check clearing and settlement services are integral to daily economic activities. Consequently, a critical objective for TCH is to enhance the efficiency of check clearing services while researching and developing more cost-effective and efficient payment instruments.

       Furthermore, with the advanced development of the economy and the increasing reliance of businesses and industries on credit transactions, the significance of check credit information and data has grown substantially. Therefore, establishing and maintaining a timely and accurate check credit status information database, as well as providing a convenient inquiry channel for accessing this database, has become more critical. In light of this vision, the future direction for TCH is as follows:

1. Expand Diversified Services and Increase Participating Financial and Industry Institutions

        In addition to expanding Automated Clearing House (ACH) transaction services, TCH will actively promote and optimize Enhanced Automated Clearing House (eACH), Electronic Direct Debit Authorisation (eDDA), and Enhanced Financial Collection Service (eFCS) platforms, and maintain ongoing collaboration with financial institutions, electronic payment providers, insurance companies, and securities firms. By incorporating new institutions, increasing the range of transaction types, and broadening the application scope of existing functions, TCH aims to offer a more diverse and convenient array of financial services.

2. Promote ESG Sustainable Development

        TCH will advance its commitment to sustainable development in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) areas, grounded in the core concept of sustainable development:
(1) To embark on digital transformation in the aspects of business, technology, operations and organizational management to enhance service quality, competitiveness and adaptability.
(2) To leverage technological advancements and digital transformation to integrate technology, sustainability, and finance. This approach aims to reduce carbon emissions and implement sustainable finance practices.
(3) To focus continuously on the development of financial technology and to conduct research as well as explore new business opportunities to support ESG sustainable goals in financing corporations and to implement financial inclusion policies.

3. Improve the Efficiency of Payment and Settlement

        TCH will enhanced the efficiency of its payment and settlement processes through the following measures:
(1) To implement new technologies, continuously optimize business processes, and increase the extent of digitalization and automation.
(2) To cooperate actively with participating institutions and start-up companies so as to innovate business models and improve payment efficiency.
(3) To evaluate increasing the frequency of “ACH settlements” to improve the efficiency of fund collection and payments for individuals and enterprises.

4. Ensure the Continuity of Core Service Business

        TCH will strengthen its system backup and adaptability mechanisms for extreme situations in order to ensure the continuity of all core service operations:
(1) Check Clearing: In addition to implementing local and remote backup mechanisms for all three check clearing centers, TCH has developed “Check Clearing Business Continuity Plan.” This plan outlines procedures for check clearing and dishonored check clearing operations under special circumstances. It also provides check clearing service continuously through well-thought-out plans and drills.
(2) Automated Clearing House: TCH will conduct regular local and remote backup drills and establish both primary and secondary remote backup environments. This approach guarantees the uninterrupted operation of direct debit and direct credit services within the ACH network.

5. Strengthen Cybersecurity Resilience

         To address the increasingly severe challenges in financial information security, TCH has implemented the following tasks:
(1) Adhering to the “Cyber Security Management Act” and relevant regulations, while adopting international standards such as ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 to bolster information security protection capabilities.
(2) Performing cybersecurity assessments, penetration testing, and red team/blue team exercises to identify and address security weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
(3) Implementing Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) and gradually developing an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) protection mechanism to continuously enhance the cyber security of ACH.
(4) Signing the "Memorandum of Understanding on National Collaborative Cyber Security Defense and Information Sharing" with the Taipei City Investigation Office, Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau, and joining the Financial Information Sharing and Analysis Center (F-ISAC). These collaborations strengthen TCH’s security protection capabilities through joint defense mechanisms.