General

Check 21 is a federal law that is designed to enable banks to handle more checks electronically, which should make check processing faster and more efficient. Today, banks often must physically move original paper checks from the bank where the checks are deposited to the bank that pays them. This transportation can be inefficient and costly. Check 21 became effective on October 28, 2004.

2. How will Check 21 make check processing more efficient?

Instead of physically moving paper checks from one bank to another, Check 21 will allow banks to process more checks electronically. Banks can capture a picture of the front and back of the check along with the associated payment information and transmit this information electronically. If a receiving bank or its customer requires a paper check, the bank can use the electronic picture and payment information to create a paper “substitute check.” This process enables banks to reduce the cost of physically handling and transporting original paper checks, which can be very expensive.

3. Is electronic check processing secure?

Electronic check processing is not new to the financial industry and is a safe and reliable way of processing payments. It uses technology that has been developed and tested to process your check information securely.

4. Does Check 21 mean that customers can't get their checks back in their account statements?

No. Check 21 does not require customers to stop receiving checks back in their account statements. The contents of an account statement will continue to be governed by the account agreement between the bank and its customer. Rather, when banks have agreed to provide paid checks in statements, Check 21 permits the bank to provide either the original check or a substitute check.

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