Cash Visibility Frequently Asked Questions

FedCash^® Services is committed to providing the information you need. Answers to many of our customers' most frequently asked questions can be found using the links below.

If your question is not answered by the information provided on the site, Contact provides a comprehensive list of service and support contacts who can assist you.

Cash Visibility Questions

General

1. Where can I find information on Cash Visibility?
   • Cash Visibility
   • GS1 US's website (Off-site)
     • GS1 US® is a not-for-profit information standards organization that administers information standards, including barcodes. For more information about these standards, visit GS1 US FAQs (Off-site).
   • Frequently Asked Questions (Off-site)
   • Cash Visibility flyer (Off-site) and video (Off-site)

   
   For questions, please contact CVIndustry@frb.org.
2. How can I receive updates regarding the progress of Cash Visibility?

   You can receive general information and initiative updates by signing up for GS1 US's mailing list (Off-site).

3. Is there an opportunity for me to take an active role and participate in helping to shape the future of Cash Visibility?

   If you would like to take a more active role, there are two joint industry workgroups that are currently underway. To register, email CVIndustry@frb.org to indicate your interest. You will receive a follow up email with meeting details.

4. How can I learn more about FedCash E-Manifest Service (E-Manifest)?

   Visit the Cash Visibility page to learn more

5. What’s the “visibility” part of Cash Visibility?

   Initially, the movement of liability will be visible via the What to Expect (WTE) and e-receipt files and the entities that exchange them (armored carriers, financial institutions and the Federal Reserve Bank). Eventually, armored carriers (or any entity) may utilize their own portals to publish information with details of the orders and deposits for their cash supply chain clients. This could result in future revenue stream opportunities as well as enhanced client relationships.

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Financial Institutions

1. We are a financial institution. Do we need to sign up?

   If your financial institution uses Federal Reserve Cash Services (FedCash Services) for coin and currency orders/deposits, you can implement E-Manifest in partnership with your armored carriers, if applicable, to electronically process Federal Reserve deposits and payments sent to or from other financial institutions, armored carriers, U.S. merchants and other industry partners. For questions or to participate in E-Manifest, please contact CVIndustry@frb.org.

2. What if my financial institution does not have cash vaults?

   Likely, no further action needed. Contact your armored carrier partners and visit the Cash Visibility page for guidance on using the Federal Reserve for coin and currency needs.

3. What should I do if some of my financial institution’s cash vaults are outsourced?

   As the cash supply chain moves toward more fully adopting digital exchanges of deposit/order details, the first step for your institution to use E-Manifest is to license a GS1 Company Prefix from GS1 US (Off-site) and assign Global Location Identifiers (GLNs) (Off-site) to all physical locations.

4. What if my financial institution’s cash vaults include both in-house and outsourced cash vaults?

   Your financial institution will need the ability to exchange What to Expect (WTE) files with its customers. These files list the physical items being delivered and/or picked up. They replace physical manifests, use barcodes to reduce the need to count pieces and communicate discrepancies (e.g., differences in the counts). This data can help your organization develop solutions that communicate deposit and order details to your clients.

5. What IT resources are needed to begin?

   Each financial institution will need to devote resources to implement these changes. For additional information, visit the GS1 US FAQs (Off-site) or coordinate a meeting with your armored carrier partner and GS1 US.

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Armored Carriers

1. What role does an armored carrier play?

   As an entity physically picking up, dropping off and moving cash, a participating armored carrier will need to create and receive both WTE files and e-receipt files. The carrier also will need the ability to scan Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) (Off-site) bag bar codes at point of pickup and delivery.

2. How do WTE and e-receipt files replace paper manifests and who exchanges them?

   The WTE file contains essentially the same information as a paper manifest. The armored carrier will access the WTE file details to reconcile the expected contents with the physical contents. When the receiving process is complete, the armored carrier must generate an e-receipt file. This is the equivalent of signing a paper manifest. Verification will occur at other armored carrier loading docks, the Federal Reserve Bank dock and financial institution cash vaults. This “digital exchange” will greatly increase efficiency and quality, diminish dock time and reduce proof of delivery requests.

3. Will our logistics or cash vault software technology need to change?

   To maximize efficiencies, you will need to analyze your system(s) for the ability to associate a Global Location Number or GLN (Off-site) with a service location or inventory, scan and accept bar codes that contain 20 digits, and accept or create and use the data within the WTE and e-receipt files. For further questions, schedule a meeting with your FI solution partner and GS1 US.

4. Will we need to license a GS1 Company Prefix?

   Yes. Licensing a GS1 Company Prefix (Off-site) will allow armored carriers to uniquely identify their locations and participate in the Federal Reserve’s Cash Visibility initiative.

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Businesses and Organizations

1. How does my organization fit in the supply chain?

   Supply chains are not just for manufacturing companies. A supply chain is “the sequence of processes involved in the production and distribution of a commodity.” By thinking of cash as a commodity, it’s clear that the Federal Reserve, financial institutions, armored carriers and merchants are all essential to its supply chain. The GS1 US FAQ (Off-site) page provides helpful insights into why a business or organization would be involved.

2. Why should my organization participate in E-Manifest?

   As cash supply chain participants begin to incorporate package tracking capabilities into their inventory management systems, these investments can be leveraged to drive adoption of data standards and a framework for electronically exchanging data that will improve cash supply chain integration and efficiency.

3. What if my organization does not participate in E-Manifest?

   Individual financial institutions, carriers and merchants can opt in to participate as part of their day-to-day business. Currently, there is no participation mandate. However, participating organizations may gain access to certain business partners, business processes or value-added service offerings because they can communicate using widely accepted data standards.

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