Transaction Processing Cash Services National Cash Scheme National Cash Scheme A National Set of Rules for Cash Transactions in Switzerland SIX Products & Services Banking Services Cash National Cash Scheme National Cash Scheme for a Consistent Customer Experience Previously, ATM users only had access to the full range of functions at their own bank's ATMs. The creation of the National Cash Scheme (NCS) has removed these restrictions. NCS is a national set of rules that will allow all business transactions to be processed on other banks’ ATMs in future. NCS gives participating banks the opportunity to offer their own services more efficiently and without restrictions. End customers benefit from a significant improvement in services and a standardized customer experience across all cash transactions in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Find Out More Learn more about the benefits of the NCS.Contact Us How You Will Benefit Unlimited Complete range of functions even at other banks’ ATMs Transparent Multilateral and open set of rules that all market participants can follow on equal terms Innovative Flexibility for pioneering cash transaction technology. A Lever for Innovation The National Cash Scheme defines the contractual basis for being able to process all business transactions on other institutions’ ATMs in future. The rules are designed so that new providers can participate in the NCS at any time and on the same terms, thus ensuring equal opportunities for all market participants. The rules are also designed to be technology agnostic. By doing this, the NCS creates a framework for promoting innovative technologies independently of payment cards, such as using QR codes for cash withdrawals. Scheme Rulebook available nowGet in touch and request the scheme rulebook. Send request Comprehensive ATM Services Thanks to National Cash Scheme As well as enabling traditional cash withdrawals on improved terms, the NCS also allows end customers to view their account information and most recent account movements, change their PIN and withdraw cash (in the planning phase). This means total convenience for your customers at all participating ATMs. FAQ Who operates the NCS? The operator of the National Cash Scheme is SIX NCS Ltd, a SIX Group company. What advantages does the NCS offer us as a bank compared to other schemes? The NCS uses the technical framework established by ATMfutura and offers the participating banks multilateral, reciprocal opening of all transactions and technologies (e.g. cash transactions via QR code). This enables banks to optimize their ATM locations for end customers on a long-term basis without losing any functions, while the full range of functions is available to end customers at other banks’ ATMs, too. What functions can be provided by the NCS at other banks’ ATMs? As well as conventional functions such as withdrawing cash, the NCS also enables end customers to view account information and make PIN changes at other banks’ ATMs. Additional functions such as cash deposits (CHF & EUR) are currently being planned. Who can participate in the NCS? The NCS is designed as an open, national four-party model. In principle, participation is open to all Swiss and Liechtenstein financial institutions that operate as issuers or acquirers in one of these two countries. For the detailed participation conditions and roles within the NCS, please refer to the Scheme Rulebook. Does processing have to take place via SIX? No. The issuers and acquirers participating in the NCS can choose their processor freely. What steps are necessary in order to participate in the NCS? The admission process for new participants is set out in Chapter 3.2 of the Rulebook. Essentially, the financial institution informs the responsible key account manager at SIX of its intention to participate and submits an application for participation. The application is reviewed by SIX, and it is approved if the participation conditions are met. After signing the participation contract, the applicant becomes a participant within a time frame defined in the Rulebook. Which cards is the NCS offered on? The NCS is offered on all bank cards with an EMVI’20 chip as well as – subject to the approval of the respective schemes – on the new Debit Mastercard and Visa Debit cards. The NCS is designed on a technology-agnostic basis. This means that the financial institution can apply the NCS to any disposition mode that meets the technical requirements. The technical requirements can be found in the Scheme Rulebook. What effects does the NCS have on end customers? Generally speaking, the NCS is implemented to be minimally invasive. End customers do not experience any restrictions or disadvantages as a result of the NCS. On the contrary, they benefit from the additional functional enhancements and wider acceptance of their disposition mode (debit card, bank card, or QR code). If a bank decides against adapting the NCS, this does not have any negative effects on end customers. Can the NCS also be used at the point of sale (POS)? The NCS is designed for ATM transactions only. Use at the POS is not possible. Is the NCS to be offered internationally, too? The NCS is a national scheme that is implemented only for the CHF currency area (Switzerland and Liechtenstein). Standardizing Cash Withdrawals – for the Benefit of Your Customers Participate in the NCS and offer your customers new ways to use your services flexibly and without limitations. +41 58 399 4012 Get in Touch