ZENGIN SYSTEM The Zengin Data Telecommunication System
Transcript of ZENGIN SYSTEM The Zengin Data Telecommunication System
ZENGIN SYSTEM─ The Zengin Data Telecommunication System ─
Japanese Banks’ Payment Clearing NetworkJapanese Banks’ Payment Clearing Network Issued: March 2014
ISBN 978-4-915394-20-1
The Zengin Data Telecommunication System (Zengin System) is an online network that links financial institutions nationwide through computers and telecommunication lines and processes transfer messages arising from remittances and other transactions. The Zengin System also handles the da i l y se t t l emen t o f i n te r -bank c red i t /deb t relationships that result from these transactions. The Zengin System was launched in April 1973 and now includes almost all deposit-taking financial institutions in Japan (see Table 1). It plays a crucial role as the basic infrastructure for Japan’s economic t ransact ions, process ing a da i ly average of approximately 5.6 million transfer messages for credit transfers and other transactions exceeding 12
Aug. 1943
Jun. 1958
Jul. 1968
Apr. 1973
Feb. 1979
Apr. 1982
Aug. 1984
Nov. 1987
Mar. 1993
Jan. 1994Nov. 1995
Jan. 2001
Nov. 2003
Jan. 2009
Apr. 2010
Oct. 2010Nov. 2011
Infrastructure for Japan’s Economic Transactions
History and Role
■Table 1: History of the Japanese Domestic Fund Transfer System of Zengin
■Table 2: Inter-bank Payment Systems in Japan
Zengin Data Telecommunication System (Zengin System)
(Joint system)Zenshinkin SystemData Transmission System for Credit CooperativesCentral Network System for Labour BanksAgricultural Cooperative Savings Network Service
Oct. 1976Nov. 1982Jan. 1984Feb. 1984
Apr. 1973
Operation Commencement Types of PaymentVolume (million) Value (trillion yen)
Participants(as of December 31, 2013)
Clearing Houses(operated by 121 local clearing houses)
Foreign Exchange Yen Clearing System (using BOJ-Net)
BOJ-Net Funds Transfer System(BOJ-Net)
CD/ATM Networks
Dec. 1879(Osaka Clearing House)Dec. 1887(Tokyo Clearing House)
Mar. 1989
Oct. 1988 Fund transfers between current accounts held at the Bank of Japan
Clearing of foreign exchange-related yen funds
Clearing of bills, checks and other inter-bank receipts
Fund transfers such as credit transfers, remittances and collections
Cash withdrawalsBalance inquiriesAccount verification prior to credit transfers from ATMs
MICS (Multi Integrated Cash Service links the following networks.)BANCS (city banks)ACS (regional banks)SOCS (trust banks)LONGS (long-term credit banks and Shoko Chukin Bank)SCS (member banks of the Second Association of Regional Banks)SNCS (shinkin banks)SANCS (credit cooperatives)ROCS (labour banks)Agricultural Cooperative Net Service
Feb. 1990(MICS)
*CD/ATM online network services between banks started in 1980
Transactions (2013)
1,352
203
514
26915514
776
1,481
6
16
758*2
21*1
0.3*1
1.3*1
10*1
73.1(nationwide)
23.5(Tokyo)
366(nationwide)
270(Tokyo)
2,856
2,912
28,536
12.8*2
12*1
0.3*1
0.3*1
21*1
Notes*1 Figures show the transaction volume and value within each joint system. These are not included in the figures for the Zengin System.*2 Figures show both intra-group and inter-group transactions.
trillion yen (see Table 2). The 6th Generation Zengin System began operations in November 2011 with the following new features.(1) Real-time gross settlements for fund transfers of
100 million yen and above(2) Upgraded batch file transfers(3) XML option for transfer messages(4) Addition of settlement messages for electronically
recorded monetary claims(5) Transition to an IP-VPN communication network
between Zengin Centers and member banks(6) Paperless document submission by member
banks to Zengin Centers
Tokyo Fund Transfer Office (This office was closed on April 18, 1973.)
Upgrade of the Zengin System (sixth generation)(1,371 financial institutions with about 32,515 branches participating in the system)
Upgrade of the Zengin System (fifth generation) (1,679 financial institutions with about 37,250 branches participating in the system)
Upgrade of the Zengin System (fourth generation)Trust banking subsidiaries of security companies joined the system (3,552 financial institutions with about 44,800 branches participating in the system).
Establishment of the National Domestic Fund Transfer SystemThe Zengin System commenced its operation (87 banks and the Shoko Chukin Bank, with about 7,400 branches participating in the system).
Upgrade of the Zengin System (second generation) Sogo (mutual) banks, shinkin banks, the Norinchukin Bank and some other financial institutions joined (708 financial institutions with about 18,000 branches participating in the system).
Upgrade of the Zengin System (third generation)(5,304 financial institutions with about 42,000 branches participating in the system)
Operations were transferred to the Japanese Banks’ Payment Clearing Network.
Payment Services Act was enacted.
Japan Post Bank joined the system.
Implementation of the New National Domestic Fund Transfer System(ccp scheme).
Revision of the Sender Net Debit Cap Scheme, which was first implemented in July 1990.
Implementation of same-day settlement.
Credit cooperatives, labour banks, agricultural cooperatives and some other financial institutions joined(5,479 financial institutions with about 40,000 branches participating in the system).
Implementation of the centralized settlement of domestic fund transfers at the Bank of Japan.
Revision of the fund transfers settlement systemIn order to facilitate exchange of transfer notification slip, 27 Fund Transfer Offices were established in the regionally-based bankers associations.
Commencement of the Chigin (regional banks) Data Telecommunications System.
Foreign banks operating in Japan joined the Zengin System for the first time.
1 2
City banksRegional banksTrust banksForeign banksMember banks of the Second Association of Regional BanksShinkin Central BankShinkumi Federation BankRokinren BankNorinchukin Bank
Others
Shinkin banksCredit cooperativesLabour banksCredit federations of agricultural cooperativesCredit federations of fishery cooperativesAgricultural cooperatives
564
85
411111
15
2,1767,526
41915
3,08014
91
20
437
Subtotal
Total Financial institutions: 1,352 Branches: 32,070
Almost all deposit-taking financial institutions in Japan, including banks, shinkin banks, credit cooperatives, labour banks, agricultural cooperatives and the Japan Post Bank, currently participate in the Domestic Fund Transfer System. The Zengin System was connected to 1,352 member banks with 32,070 branches as of the end of December 2013 (see Table 3). Shinkin banks, credit cooperatives, labour banks and agricultural cooperatives are connected to the Zengin System through their respective joint systems. The Bank of Japan also participates in the Zengin System as an associate member.
The Zengin System is managed by the Japanese Banks’ Payment Clearing Network (hereafter “Zengin-Net”) and is developed and provided by NTT DATA CORPORATION. Procedures governing remit tances and other transactions processed through the Zengin System and the clearing of inter-bank funds that results from these transactions are outlined in the rules of the Domestic Fund Transfer System established by the Zengin-Net.
■Table 3: Number of Financial Institutions Using the Zengin System
■Figure 1: Fund Transfer Transactions
Clearing ParticipantsBranchesNumber of Banks
268154
133534
706
7,474 1,713
623 81
187 8,295
0
3
6
9
12
15
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
81 86 91 96 01 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 81 86 91 96 01 06 07 08 09 10 11 12
Agency ParticipantsNumber of Banks Branches
Note: Banks listed under “Others” are Japan Net Bank, Seven Bank, Sony Bank, Rakuten Bank, SBI Sumishin Net Bank, Jibun Bank, Aeon Bank, Daiwa Next Bank, Shinginko Tokyo, Shinsei Bank, Aozora Bank, Citibank Japan, Shinhan Bank Japan, Shoko Chukin Bank and Japan Post Bank.
Management of the Zengin System (as of December 31, 2013)
(Unit: 100 million)Volume
(Unit: trillion yen)
Fiscal yearFiscal year
Value
New file transfer facilityMT data file transmissionsTelegraphic transfers
New file transfer facilityMT data file transmissionsTelegraphic transfers
3 4
Nationwide Fund Transfer Network
Characteristics of the Zengin System
142 13,697 1,210 18,373
Fund transfers include payments and receipts of funds between individuals and companies that do not involve cash delivery, and they are intermediated by financial institutions. Fund transfers can be categorized into three types: “Credit transfer,” where funds are credited to the payee’s account, “Remittance,” where funds are paid to a payee by means of a bank draft and “Collections,” where bills and checks are collected on behalf of the payee and the proceeds are credited to the payee’s account. All these transactions are conducted by sending and receiving transfer messages between financial institutions. Transfer messages can be sent and/or received through the Zengin System, i.e., by telegraphic transfer, MT data file transmission and a new file transfer facility; or by post or check clearing, i.e., document-based transfers (see Figure 2).
■Table 4: Types of Telegraphic Transfer MessagesType Use
Under the Domestic Fund Transfer System, a financial institution will request another financial institution to debit an amount into a client’s account by sending a transfer message. The Zengin System’s methods for transmitting transfer messages can be divided into two major categories; of telegraphic transfers and MT data file transfers.
Telegraphic transfersIn a telegraphic transfer, member banks can send and/or receive a transfer message for each transaction through the Zengin System on an online, real-time basis. There are several types of telegraphic transfer messages, including credit transfer, remittance, collection and other forms of fund transfer between financial institutions (see Table 4).
In the case of a credit transfer or remittance, a financial institution (sender bank) acting on the instruction of its customer (payer) sends a transfer message to the financial institution (receiver bank) designated by the customer. In the case of a collection, the financial institution that has collected a bill/check sends a transfer message to the financial institution that has requested the collection. A transfer message prepared by the sender bank’s branch is sent to a Zengin Center via processing computers and the Zengin RC (relaying computer) in the bank. The Zengin Center checks the content of the message and the amount of the transaction, etc., then sends the transfer message to the receiver bank, which credits the amount to the payee’s account in accordance with the content of the transfer message.
What are domestic fund transfers? Exchange of transfer messages through the Zengin System
Zengin Center
Payer
Payee
Computer CenterComputer Center
Clearing House
Telegraphictransfers
Telegraphictransfers
Exchange transfers
By post (Mail transfers)
MT data file transmissions/New file transfer facility
MT data file transmissions/New file transfer facility
Fund Transfer Operation Center/Mother Branch (Check clearance)
Fund Transfer Operation Center/Mother Branch (Check clearance)
Transfer slipsTransfer slips
Branch Payee’s accountBranch Payee’s account
Bank of Japan
Bank BBank A
■Figure 2: Flow of Domestic Fund Transfers
5 6
Credit Transfers, Remittances and Collections
Domestic Fund Transfer Transactions and the Zengin System
Bank A Bank B
Credit transfer
Payroll transfer
RemittanceOrdinary remittancesRemittances of government payments
Collection
Miscellaneous inter-bank transfer
Ordinary communication
Government transfer
Credit transfers on the day
Postdated credit transfers
Credit transfers of payrolls and bonuses
Credit on the day
Postdated credit
Claim on the day
Postdated claim
Claim of dishonored collection
Payment advices of individual collections and dishonored collections
Communication between banks related to domestic fund transfers
Credit transfers for government payments
Remittances in generalRemittances of government payments
Credit advice
Claim advice
7 8
edit 0 edit 1 edit 2 edit 3 edit 4 edit 5 edit 6
dis 0 dis 1 dis 2 dis 3 dis 4 dis 5 dis 6
col 1 col 2 col 3 col 4 col 5 col 6
Document-based transfers are used for sending credit transfers that are not urgent, and include mail transfers and exchange transfers in addition to MT data file transmission and the new file transfer facility.
Mail transfersA sender bank prepares a transfer slip, the standard form for message transmission, and sends it to the receiver bank by post. Upon receipt of the transfer slip, the receiver bank credits the funds to the payee’s account according to the instructions. These transactions are settled through the Zengin System, whereby the receiver bank claims the funds by sending a transfer request to the sender bank via telegraphic transfer. Mail transfers have been largely discontinued as their use has declined due to the extra time involved in sending and receiving transfer messages and the significant
The Zengin System starts processing transfer messages at 8:30 am. The schedule corresponding to each type of transaction is shown in Figure 3. Operating hours may be extended on days when a high volume of data traffic is expected. In addition, operating hours are extended by one hour on the last business day of each month (except December).
operational burden placed on financial institutions in preparing transfer slips.
Exchange transfersIn a similar manner to mail transfers, a sender bank prepares a transfer slip and sends it to the receiver bank through a clearing house. In this case, both the sending and receiving of transfer messages and fund settlements between banks are processed without using the Zengin System. For fund settlements between banks, the payee’s bank claims the funds against the payer’s bank through the clearing house. Exchange transfers are used between the branches of member banks located within the same district
10,106
171
12
31
10,319
97.9
1.7
0.1
0.3
100.0
2,464,663
10,510
2,045
2,017
2,479,234
MT data file transmissions In an MT (Mag-Tape) data file transmission, data contained in several transfer messages are collectively filed. Credit transfer by MT data file transmissions is mainly used for payments that need to be processed in bulk on a specific date, such as the credit transfer for payrolls, pensions, benefits and stock dividends (see Table 5). This system is also used for document-based transfers and postdated transfers. MT data files are sent by each sender bank to a Zengin Center, which edits them according to transaction type and receiver bank before sending them on to each receiver bank. The receiver banks then credit the funds to the payee’s account on the designated day. A new file transfer facility was introduced in the 6th Generation Zengin System to replace MT data file transmission and significantly enhance processing capacity.
8:00 9:00
(8:30)
10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:008:30
(15:30)
(8:00) (20:00)
(10:00)
Document-based transfers
Operating hours of the Zengin System
Domestic Fund Transfer Transactions and the Zengin System
of the clearing house. Transaction volume of credit transfers by type is shown in Table 6.
■Table 5: Types of Data for MT Data File Transmissions and New File Transfer Facility
■Table 6: Transaction Volume of Credit Transfer by Type
■Figure 3: Zengin System Operating Schedule by Method of Transmission
Type UseType of Fund
TransferVolume
(Unit: ten thousand) Share (%)Value
(Unit: 100 million yen)
Document-based transfer
Postdated transfer
Payroll transfer
Bonus transfer
Stock dividend transfer
MT data file transmissions
Mail transfer
Document-based transfers
Postdated credit transfers
Transfers of dividends to shareholders
Loan-trust dividend transfer
Benefit transfer from pension trust fund
Benefit transfer from public pension fund
Benefit transfer from health insurance fund
Statement for pension transfer
Statement for state tax refund transfer
Transfers of loan-trust dividends to beneficiaries
Transfers of benefits to beneficiaries
Statement for transfers of public pension
Statement for transfers of state tax refund
Transfers of payrolls/bonuses
NoteMT data file transmissions also deal with data files that do not accompany fund settlements, such as a list of payments using a bulk payment system and a payee’s account verification.
Notes1. Figures are for December 2013. 2. Figures for MT data file transmissions include files handled by new file transfer facility.
Notes1. Operating hours for telegraphic transfers are extended by one hour on the last business day of each month except December.2. Time required for editing and dispatching MT data files varies depending on the volume of the data to be processed.
Telegraphic transfer
Telegraphic Transfers start
(8:30)start
start
start end
end
(16:40)end
(15:30)
end of collection
end of dispatching
New File Transfer Facility
MT Data File Transmissions
Information Server Systems
Collection
Editing
Dispatching
Request/Retrieve administrative documents and dishonor information from clearing houses
Total
Exchange transfer
Backbone network, file transmission networkBackup network
11 12
Solid Security and Reliability
Configuration of the Zengin System
The Zengin System consists of the host computers at the Zengin Centers that comprise the hub of the system, the Zengin relaying computers (RCs) installed in the computer centers of the member banks (in the case of agency participation, the Zengin RCs are installed in the joint center), and the communication lines that connect these computers. To assure the Zengin System’s security and reliability, duplicate computer systems back up every aspect of the system. The Zengin Centers are located in Tokyo and Osaka and both have adopted a multiple host computer structure. Each member bank has at least two sets of Zengin RCs installed. The IP-VPN network is used as the main network and an ISDN network sys tem i s used fo r backup ( see F igu re 6 ) . Communication between the Zengin Centers and Zengin RCs is encrypted.
The Zengin Centers in Tokyo and Osaka are both equipped w i th t h r ee s e t s o f hos t compu te r s t ha t ope ra t e simultaneously. The separately installed host computers in Tokyo and Osaka enable member banks to continue transactions through the Osaka Center even in the event the Tokyo Center fails due to a natural disaster or other reasons. The configuration of the system equipment of the Tokyo and Osaka centers is the same. Two sets of host computers are used for online processing and another set is used for offline processing and backup. We have adopted a hot-standby method to ensure that when online processing fails due to a damaged computer, this computer can be immediately replaced by the backup. In addition, power supplies, data storages and other control peripherals are duplicated.
The Zengin Centers in Tokyo and Osaka mutually synchronize data at all times. As such, the Zengin System provides comprehensive redundancy. Currently, the Zengin System can process 20 million transactions a day with a peak-time processing capability of 5 million transactions an hour.
The banks communicate with the Zengin Centers through the Zengin relaying computers (RCs) installed in their computer centers. The transmission protocols and data formats of these member banks vary and therefore have to be converted so that the Zengin Centers can accept them. Zengin RCs convert the various transmission protocols and data
formats and then transmit the data to the Zengin Centers. These RCs also serve as a backup system when a member bank’s computer system fails, by sending and receiving transfer messages directly to/from the Zengin Centers on behalf of the bank’s host computers. With regard to the following joint systems, the RCs are installed in the joint centers of each group.• Zenshinkin System: Shinkin Central Bank and shinkin banks• Data Transmission System for Credit Cooperatives: The Shinkumi Federation Bank and credit cooperatives• Central Network System for Labour Banks: The Rokinren Bank and labour banks• Agricultural Cooperative Savings Network Service: The Norinchukin Bank, credit federations of agricultural cooperatives, credit federations of fishery cooperatives, and agricultural cooperatives• System Banking Kyushu: The Fukuoka Chuo Bank, The Saga Kyoei Bank, The Bank of Nagasaki, The Howa Bank, The Miyazaki Taiyo Bank and The Minami-Nippon Bank
In regard to adopting international standards, the telecommunication line between Zengin Centers and Zengin RCs has been upgraded for the 6th generation system to a logically independent IP-VPN that serves as the backbone network. Even if the backbone network is disconnected, the ISDN backup network will continue communications. There are also several communications options, including the entry VPN for the new file transfer facility and the IP-VPN, as well as other options for the information servers.
The information servers form a separate system from the fund transfer system. This system is used by the Zengin Centers to transmit statistical information and other data to member banks and by member banks to send online requests and registration to a Zengin Center.
RC RC
Zengin Center (Osaka) Zengin Center (Tokyo)Communication lines
Relaying computers
Zengin Centers
Information server system
●Backbone network: IP-VPN ●File transmission network: Entry VPN
●Backup network: ISDN ●RC: relaying computer
Host
RC RC
Host
RC RC
RC RC
Host
Host (fundS transfer)
Host (RTGS)
■Figure 6: Configuration of the Zengin System
System 1host
System 2host
System 3host
(backup)System 1
hostSystem 2
hostSystem 3
host (backup)
Bank hosting center(individual connection method)
Branch offices Branch officesRegional centers
Bank of Japan
Financial institutionsBank hosting center(individual connection method)
Joint center (agency participation)
The Zengin System began operations on April 9, 1973, under the management of the Organization for the Management of Domestic Fund Transfers established by the then Tokyo Bankers Association (now Japanese Bankers Association). Following implementation of the Payment Services Act in April 2010, which defines the fund clearing business under license, the Zengin Net was established that same month to take over the operations of the Zengin System from the Tokyo Bankers Association. The Zengin Net began operations of the Zengin System in October of that year upon issuance of the relevant license by the Prime Minister. The computer systems used for the Zengin System are developed and supplied by NTT DATA CORPORATION. Since the system’s inception, the company has maintained the system at a high level of security and reliability. The system constitutes an infrastructure for retail funds transfer in Japan and is now commonly known as “Zengin” throughout the global financial industry.
The 6th Generation Zengin System began operations in November 2011 with the following new features.(1) Real-time gross settlements for fund transfer of 100
million yen and above(2) Upgraded batch file transfers(3) XML option for transfer messages(4) Addition of settlement messages for electronically
recorded monetary claims(5) Transition to an IP-VPN communication network
between Zengin Centers and member banks(6) Paperless document exchange submitted by member
banks to Zengin Centers
The 6th Generation Zengin System
13 14
Performing a Leading Role in the Centralized Settlement System between Financial Institutions
History of the Zengin System
■History of the Zengin Data Telecommunication System
April 9, 1973
February 13, 1979
November 16, 1987
November 13, 1995
November 17, 2003
November 14, 2011
88
708
5,304
3,552
1,679
1,371
Processing CapacityContent of ServiceNumber of Participating BanksStart of OperationsGeneration
1
2
3
4
5
6
Telegraphic transfers• Remittances• Credit transfers• Collections• Other transfers (fund transfers, billing, etc.)
Telegraphic transfersAddition of credit transfer for payrolls
Telegraphic transfers
Addition of MT data file transmission (from October 7, 1988)
Document-based transfers, postdated transfers, credit transfers for payrolls, bonuses, pensions, benefits, loan-trust dividend transfers and stock dividend transfers
Telegraphic transfers
MT data file transmissionsAddition of itemized accounts of centralized government payments, statements for bulk payment systems and confirmation of receiver account
Telegraphic transfersAddition of credit transfer for government payments
MT data file transmissions
Addition of information server systemFaster information delivery and paperless operations through digitization of transaction statements
Telegraphic transfers
MT data file transmissions
Information server systemConfirmation of settlement status, etc., for large-value domestic transfers, introduction of online submission for branch registration, fund of collateral amount and sender net debit cap
Telegraphic transfersPer hour: 160,000 transactionsPer day: 1 million transactionsDaily average in 1973: 170,000 transactions
Telegraphic transfersPer hour: 440,000 transactions (final capacity: 800,000 transactions)Per day: 1.4 million transactions (final capacity: 2.3 million transactions)Daily average in 1979: 590,000 transactions
Telegraphic transfersPer hour: 1.25 million transactions (final capacity: 2.5 million transactions)Per day: 5 million transactions (final capacity: 10 million transactions)Daily average in 1987: 1.6 million transactions
Telegraphic transfersPer hour: 3.4 million transactions (no upgrades implemented)Per day: 13.5 million transactions (no upgrades implemented)Daily average in 1995: 3.54 million transactions
MT data file transmissionsPer day: 4 million transactions
Telegraphic transfersPer hour: 3.8 million transactions (initial facility)Per day: 15 million transactions (initial facility)Daily average in 2003: 4.91 million transactions
MT data file transmissionsPer day: 4 million transactions (expandable up to 12 million transactions)
Telegraphic transfersPer hour: 5 million transactions (initial facility)Per day: 20 million transactions (initial facility)Daily average in 2011: 6.06 million transactions
MT data file transmissions (to be discontinued after shift to new file transfer facility)Per day: 4 million transactions
New file transfer facilityPer day: 26 million transactions