FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR ESCHEAT STATE REPORTING SYSTEMS

When the items are escheated, the escheat holder is required to file a report with the State. We refer to these filings as being “state reports.” The state reports consist of a face sheet accompanied by backup scheduled on the escheated items. The escheat laws set deadlines for the filing of these state reports.

We provide robust services regarding state reports. Our systems track each item and determine if it is required to be escheated. If so, the systems determine the timing and amount to be escheated. We provide analytic dashboards forecasting the future timing and amounts of escheat for all items in a portfolio, giving clients visibility regarding the portfolio’s escheat footprint. With respect to the reporting process itself, we will either create the state reports for the client or support the client in doing so.

Yes. They are heavily variable per state on a number of topics including the content of the state report and the deadlines for filing.

The state reports are filed annually. Each state specifies the deadline for the filing. The deadline typically is a date following the close of the State’s fiscal year. For states with calendar fiscal years, the filing date usually is April 30 of the next year. For states with fiscal years ending on June 30, the filing date usually is October 31 or November 1 of that year. A group of states are outliers specifying various other dates. California requires two reports. When viewed as a whole, the state reports are filed in about six to eight different months.

Yes. Our systems calculate the deadline of each state filing. We provide calendars to our clients on the timing of the filings along with dashboards providing analytics on the entire portfolio forecasting the future amounts to be escheated to each state.

As explained above, the state reports are filed annually. All items or cards that become presumed abandoned during the applicable escheat year are included in the state report for the year. This process is not aligned across the states. Assume, for example, a state with a fiscal year ending on June 30 and an escheat reporting deadline of October 31. For that state, the items that became presumed abandoned from July 1 of the previous year to June 30 would be included in the report filed on October 31. Assume, however, a state with a calendar fiscal year and an escheat reporting deadline of April 30 of the following year. For that state, the items or cards that became presumed abandoned during the calendar year would be included in the report filed on April 30 of the next year.

Yes. Our proprietary systems select and sort the items by state. They include only the items that became presumed abandoned during the applicable state’s fiscal year in that state’s report. This process buckets the escheated items per each state’s fiscal year.

The state laws only require an escheat holder to escheat items that have aged to the point of becoming presumed abandoned. As explained above, our escheat tracking systems determine the applicable time periods per state and the triggering point for starting the escheat clock. If the time period has run for an item or card, it will be included in the state report.

Yes. As explained above, certain actions by the item owner may be retriggering events that reset the escheat clock. Our systems process retriggering events in deciding which cards are included in a state report. This can give rise to retriggering value.

The retriggering extends the time period for escheat. The extended period may have positive economic effects. The escheat holder retains its cash longer. Float on pooled accounts is extended. Additional time is created for back-end fees. Occasionally, added time allows for use of the instrument by the consumer

The state statutes specify the amount which must be escheated for a particular item. Sometimes that amount is the balance of the item. In other cases it might be the price paid for or face value of the item. Exemptions or deductions also may apply, reducing the escheated amount. Our escheat tracking systems track and calculate the amount that must be escheated. In doing so, they apply the applicable exemptions and deductions. This process ensures that the amounts escheated or limited to only that required by the laws providing direct cost savings.

While the deductions and exemptions may appear to be small amounts per item, they add up when applied across a portfolio of thousands to millions of instruments.

The requirements governing state reports usually require the completion of a face sheet accompanied by backup schedules. Each state’s statute specifies the content required for both.

The face sheet of the state report provides summary numbers regarding the amounts escheated. The backup schedule usually consists of a per item list of the escheated items along with required information per item. The state laws specify requirements for the content of backup information. For prepaid cards programs, the list of items usually is long. Some states also require that this information be provided in electronic form arranged in specified column formats. Many micro rules govern the formats required by the states.

Yes. Our systems have robust capabilities on state report content. For those asking us to create the state reports, our systems automatically populate the face sheets and required backup schedules. For those desiring to create the state report themselves, our systems create the required backup up information and provide information needed for completing the face sheet. Our systems are also capable of managing distinctions between aggregate reporting and non-aggregate reports. And, they address the micro rules governing report formatting.

State administrators often issue guidance, website instructions, handbooks, desk level rules and administrative processes governing the process for filing state reports or issuing due diligence notices. Such rules often address formatting, filing techniques, and payment methods.  We view this level of regulation as requiring micro compliance.

Yes. Some states set rules on who can file the state reports. Some require the report to be electronically filed. Some want the digital files to be split. Some cannot accept quotation marks in the backup data. Some cannot accept apostrophes. Some cannot accept the ___ character. Some cannot accept encrypted files. One requires funds to be wired if payment is above a specified amount. One requires wire confirmation to be submitted with the state report and related payment. And so forth. These micro rules are heavily variable.

Yes. Our systems address this level of regulation.

Yes. We have an ala carte suite of series on both subjects which we will be happy to discuss.

Yes. They are heavily variable. They vary per state, per historical versions of a state’s laws, and per type of instrument or card. They also vary with respect to the items escheated, escheat timing, presumed abandonment periods, escheat timing triggers, retriggering, escheat amounts, exemptions, deductions, state fiscal years, state escheat years, state report deadlines, state report content, filing methods, and payment methods. Varying micro rules also apply.

We designed our proprietary systems to unravel the complexities on a per item basis.

We let the computers deal with the volumes.