Decision (EU) 2015/929 of the European Central BankShow full title

Article 4 General description of T2S and TARGET2

1. TARGET2 provides real-time gross settlement for payments in euro, with settlement in central bank money across PM accounts and DCAs. By virtue of Guideline ECB/2012/27 (*), TARGET2 also provides real-time gross settlement services in respect of T2S transactions for DCA holders having ensured a link with a securities account at a participating CSD. Such services are provided on the T2S Platform, enabling the exchange of standardised messages in respect of the transfers from and to the DCAs opened on the books of the relevant euro area NCB in TARGET2.

2. The following transactions are processed in TARGET2-ECB:

(a) payment orders directly resulting from or made in connection with Eurosystem monetary policy operations;

(b) settlement of the euro leg of foreign exchange operations involving the Eurosystem;

(c) settlement of euro transfers resulting from transactions in cross-border large-value netting systems;

(d) settlement of euro transfers resulting from transactions in euro retail payment systems of systemic importance;

(e) settlement of the cash leg of securities transactions;

(f) DCA to DCA liquidity transfer orders, DCA to PM liquidity transfer orders and PM to DCA liquidity transfer orders; and

(g) any other payment orders in euro addressed to TARGET2 participants.

3. TARGET2 provides real-time gross settlement for payments in euro, with settlement in central bank money across PM accounts and DCAs. TARGET2 is established and functions on the basis of the SSP through which all payment orders are submitted and processed and through which payments are ultimately received in the same technical manner. As far as the technical operation of the Dedicated Cash Accounts on T2S is concerned, TARGET2 is technically established and functions on the basis of the T2S Platform. The ECB is the provider of services under these Conditions. Acts and omissions of the SSP-providing NCBs and the 4CBs shall be considered acts and omissions of the ECB, for which it shall assume liability in accordance with Article 21 below. Participation pursuant to these Conditions shall not create a contractual relationship between participants and SSP-providing NCBs or the 4CBs when any of the latter act in that capacity. Instructions, messages or information which a participant receives from, or sends to, the SSP or T2S Platform in relation to the services provided under these Conditions are deemed to be received from, or sent to, the ECB.

4. TARGET2 is legally structured as a multiplicity of payment systems composed of all the TARGET2 component systems, which are designated as “systems” under the national laws implementing Directive 98/26/EC. TARGET2-ECB is designated as a “system” under the national laws implementing Directive 98/26/EC. TARGET2-ECB is designated as a system under Section 1(16) of the KWG.

5. Participation in TARGET2 takes effect via participation in a TARGET2 component system. These Conditions describe the mutual rights and obligations of DCA holders in TARGET2-ECB and the ECB. The rules on the processing of payment orders under these Conditions (Title IV of this Annex and Appendix I) refer to all payment orders submitted or payments received by any TARGET2 participant.