Taiwan's check clearing house is relaxing bounced-check penalties for businesses hit by heavy rain, a relief for small firms whose cash flow was disrupted when offices closed.

• Heavy rain shut workplaces across central and southern Taiwan on 24 August, leaving some checking accounts short of funds.
• Checks that bounce on 24 and 25 August will not go on the record if the account holder settles up the next business day, with no fee charged.
• Businesses that can document flood damage can apply for a disaster flag, which pauses the usual rule that three bounced checks get you cut off from banking.
• That protection runs for six months from the disaster, and settled bounces during it stay hidden from credit checks.
• The same relief will apply again if more rain forces further work stoppages after 24 August.

Outlook: More rain and further closures would extend the same leniency, keeping short-term credit damage contained for affected businesses.