HSBC reminds customers that as from €-day (1 January) all cheques must be written in euro. Cheques issued in Maltese lira after €-day will not be honoured.

Cheques dated pre-January 2008 in Maltese lira but presented for payment within the normally accepted validity period after January 1, 2008 will be accepted by HSBC and debited to customer’s account in euro, at the Irrevocably Fixed Conversion Rate.

HSBC Bank Malta is currently issuing cheque books without the Lm currency symbol, for the benefit of customers. Cheque books bearing the € symbol will be provided on request to account holders for use as from 1 January.

Cheques issued in euro prior to 1 January, 2008 can only be presented for payment after this date. Cheque books with the Lm symbol can still be used provided that the printed Lm symbol is struck off and the euro currency symbol € is written instead, while the amount in words should clearly denote the euro as the currency in which the cheque is written. All alterations should be signed in full by the drawer.

If customers need to deposit cheque(s) in Maltese lira after 1 January, cheque(s) should be left in Maltese lira and deposit slip amount should also be in Maltese Lira. HSBC will then convert the deposit to euro at the Irrevocably Fixed Conversion Rate.

Godfrey Swain, Head of Personal Financial Services at HSBC Bank Malta, said: “Inevitably, customers will need to adapt to a new system, brought over by the changeover to the euro. Customers are most welcome to approach our dedicated staff at the branches, in the event of difficulties.”

For more information, customers may call HSBC Bank Malta’s Euro Helpline on 2380 8154.