On Thursday, the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) announced that two payment institutions, “Zitouna Pay” and “Payvago”, have joined the list of financial institutions participating in the Tunisian interbank electronic clearing system managed by the Société Interbancaire de Télécompensation (SIBTEL).
In a note sent to banks, the national post office and payment institutions, the BCT stated that Zitouna Pay will be registered under the “81” symbol, while Payvago will bear the “84” symbol, adding that this membership is part of the updating of the list of institutions belonging to the Tunisian interbank teleclearing system.
SIBTEL was created on November 1, 1999 following the implementation by the BCT of an interbank electronic clearing system as part of the modernization of the Tunisian banking system.
The e-clearing system is open to all banking institutions subject to Tunisian banking law and registered with the BCT’s clearing house.
It ensures the electronic exchange of securities to be cleared and processes the clearing of securities at fixed times, thanks to a centre that calculates clearing balances and prepares net positions for each member institution.
The Central Bank’s report for 2022 indicates that e-clearing activity will grow at a similar rate in 2022 as in 2021, i.e. 4.8% in number and 13.8% in value. Credit transfers and cheques are in first place.
