Barclays extends mobile cheque imaging service to Android users
The service - previously limited to iPhones - enables cheques to be deposited by sending a photograph via a smartphone app. It is hoped that the new payment method will reduce transfer and clearing times from six days to two, lowering processing costs for the bank and providing a more convenient experience for customers.
The bank was the first to trial the technology in 2014, though the limited service was initially restricted to Barclays customers depositing Barclays cheques.
It was followed by Lloyds, which set up a similar service in December.
Barclays said that since launching last year, nearly £750,000 has been deposited by 30,000 of its customers signed up to its cheque imaging service.
"Our customers have welcomed this convenient new way of depositing one of the oldest forms of payment, which is why extending to Android phones is an important step forward in giving all customers the ability to pay in cheques using their mobile devices," said Barclays Personal and Corporate Banking chief executive, Ashok Vaswani.
The number of physical cheques being sent has fallen significantly in recent years. In 2013 there 718 million cheques were written, less than one-third of the number in 2003, according to the Cheque and Credit Clearing Company.
Last year the gvernment introduced new legislation to pave the way for more banks to allow smartphone cheque payments, with the launch of the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill, which will bring about changes to existing rules and allow 'digital imaging' technology.