The TALL Group of Companies, the UK leader in the provision of secure paper and electronic payment solutions, has been awarded a significant contract for the provision of state-of-the-art cheque image scanners across Santander’s network of UK branches. This new agreement, which addresses the digitisation of cheque payments, further strengthens the long-standing relationship between the two organisations.

Under the terms of the deal, The TALL Group will supply approximately 1,800 scanners for deployment across the bank’s nationwide portfolio of branches. The company was awarded the contract following a competitive and rigorous tender process.

The automatic feed cheque scanners (Digital Check TellerScan TS240-50) are fully qualified to integrate seamlessly with Santander’s cheque image capture application that is used at the in-branch counter. The implementation of the scanners will enable the bank to fulfil the requirements of the new Image Clearing System (ICS). This involves the capture and then transmission of high quality cheque images and data into the new central clearing infrastructure to meet the revised clearing cycle that sees funds deposited on one weekday being settled the next weekday.

The TALL Group has enjoyed a time-honoured association with the financial organisation. The company originally worked with Girobank more than 20 years ago, which later became Alliance & Leicester and was then acquired by Santander in 2010. Last year, TALL Security Print, part of The TALL Group, received a Logistics Management Supplier Award in recognition of the exceptional level of service delivered to Santander, its fifth consecutive award of this kind.

Richard Evans, Project Manager at Santander Technology division, said: “When evaluating service providers and equipment for an important project of this nature, it is crucial to choose a partner you can trust. My colleagues have worked closely with The TALL Group of Companies for many years and over that time the organisation has provided a consistently high standard of service. We look forward to completing the installation of the specialist scanners across our branch network as we commit to the new clearing cycle.”

Martin Ruda, Group Managing Director of The TALL Group of Companies, said: “This significant contract win develops the services The TALL Group of Companies has traditionally provided to Santander beyond its core portfolio of secure printing solutions. The extensive implementation of this specialist scanning equipment across Santander’s network of branches will help to ensure the bank is best positioned for ICS and the benefits which will follow for the bank and its customers.”

Julian Myers, Director of Logistics for Santander Operations, said: “The TALL Group’s ability to support the bank with innovative solutions and committed service has been a hallmark of our relationship with them. I am delighted to see the extension of our partnership into technology based solutions, which address the bank’s needs today, and provide the platform for further digitisation of payments services in the future.”