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Photo in Lieu (PIL)

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ITYP Description | Proper Usage

Photo in Lieu (PIL) – Used to request a credit entry and provide an indemnified photocopy or notice in lieu of return in response to a debit entry for a lost, destroyed or non-conforming item.

If you have been charged with a missing item(s) (Listed Not Enclosed (LNE)), you have the option to submit a PIL adjustment request to the Federal Reserve that charged you with the LNE. However, the preferred method for handling a PIL is through processing channels. Deposit the PIL, in an appropriate cash/return letter, with the Federal Reserve. You will receive credit via the cash/return letter.

Your Action - Preferred Method

Submit a photocopy in lieu of original as a collection item.

Information about Photo in Lieu (PIL) preferred method reporting time frames and actions.
Reporting Time Frame Federal Reserve Bank Action
Normal Federal Reserve Bank check collection deadlines Normal Federal Reserve Bank check collection process.

Forward Collection

  • Properly indemnify a legible photocopy of the front and back of the item. The current endorsement information must be legible.
  • On the front of the photocopy, record the routing number (ABA) and reference number of the Federal Reserve Bank that reported the item missing (for example, 0610-0014-6/FR10001370022).
  • Place indemnified photocopy in a MICR encoded carrier envelope.
  • Send the item in the appropriate cash letter.

Return Process

Same as above, except no indemnification needed.

  • Ensure the face of the item is marked with "Notice in Lieu of Return" and the reason for the return.
  • BOFD endorsement must be legible. If BOFD endorsement is not legible, source information for the forward presentment item should also be provided.
  • Send the item in the appropriate return letter.

Lost Shipment Forward/Return Cash Letter

Verify if original items have paid/been returned. If not, indemnify and endorse legible photocopies of the front and back of each item (Forward) or mark each item "Notice in Lieu of Return" and the reason for return (Return). Send to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta in the appropriate cash/return letter.

Optional Method

Information about Photo in Lieu (PIL) optional method reporting time frames and actions.
Reporting Time Frame Federal Reserve Bank Action
Within twenty business days
of the Federal Reserve Bank's Listed Not Enclosed (LNE) debit entry date.
Same day entry - provided requirements are met.*
After twenty business days, but within one calendar year
of the Federal Reserve Bank's Listed Not Enclosed (LNE) debit entry date.
Same day acknowledgement - Provided requirements are met.*

No entry. Advise the requesting institution to deal directly with the offsetting institution.

Respond to request within twenty business days.

Required Attachments

Forward Collection

  • One legible, properly indemnified photocopy of the front and back of the missing item.
  • On the front of the photocopy, record the routing number (ABA) and reference number of the Federal Reserve Bank that reported the item missing (for example, 0610-0014-6/FR10001370022).
  • Current endorsement information must be legible.
  • Photo in Lieu must be "sorter ready". Place indemnified photocopy in a MICR encoded carrier envelope.

Return Process

Same as above except no indemnification needed.

  • Ensure the face of the item is marked with "Notice in Lieu of Return" and the reason for the return.
  • BOFD endorsement must be legible. If the BOFD endorsement is not legible, source information for the forward presentment item should also be provided.

Required Fields

Information about Photo in Lieu (PIL) reporting field names, forms and FedLine messages.
Field Name Paper Form FedLine CA1000 Message
Sender ABA (SNDR) Your institution's ABA #, name, street address, city, phone #, contact name and respondent's ABA # (if applicable) Auto-fills with your 9-digit ABA #
Receiver ABA (RCVR) Receiving Federal Reserve Bank’s name and/or ABA # Federal Reserve Bank ABA # from drop-down list
Case Investigation Type (ITYP) Photo in Lieu PIL
Message Type (MTYP) Open (OPEN) Auto-fills with OPEN
Case Amount (AMT) Amount of the item reported missing/destroyed.
Entry Type (ETYP) Credit CR
Sender Reference Number (SREF) Your institution's case # (max of 14 characters)
Receiver Reference Number (RREF) FRB case # (The SREF from the Listed Not Enclosed (LNE)  debit entry's advice)
Contact Information (CNTC & TELE) Contact name, address and telephone number Contact name and telephone number
From Cash Letter ABA (FCL) & To Cash Letter ABA (TCL) You sent the cash/ return letter to the Federal Reserve
FCL - Your institution's ABA #
TCL - Federal Reserve's ABA #
Product Type (PROD) The appropriate cash letter product code 3-character cash letter product code from the drop-down list
Cash Letter or Entry Date (CLED) Date of the Listed Not Enclosed (LNE) debit entry

*Same Day Entry/Acknowledgement Requirements

All electronic adjustment requests received by 5:00 p.m. ET with complete information will receive same day entry/acknowledgement. Supporting documentation (attachments) must be provided at the same time the electronic adjustment message is submitted. For requests submitted using the text (TXT) file format, attachments must be received within five business days of receipt of the electronic request. If the supporting documentation is required and not received the request will be resolved back to the requester and any provisional entry will be reversed.

All paper adjustment requests received at the Check Adjustments Centralized Data Entry Site by 11:00 a.m. ET with complete information and documentation will receive same day entry/acknowledgement.

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Retired Investigation Types

The following investigation types are outdated and have minimal usage. These investigation types were eliminated on May 22, 2017.

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