Glossario

A computerized archive set up by the Bank of Italy to ensure the smooth functioning of the payment system. The register contains data on:

• persons who have issued unauthorized or uncovered bank and postal cheques;
• persons whose authorization to use credit and/or debt cards has been revoked because of failure to pay amounts due for transactions conducted.

In the case of cheques, registration in the CAI results in ‘system-wide revocation’, meaning that the person is barred from issuing cheques and opening new cheque facilities at any bank branch or postal office within the system for six months.

As regards payment cards, a person is entered into the register when their authorization to use a credit or debit card has been revoked for two years. However, registration is only of informational value. This means that any issuer can decide for itself whether or not to issue a card to a person listed in the register.