How does this new law affect the way that we handle your account? The most commonly asked questions about Check 21 are answered below.

• What is Check 21?
• Why do we need Check 21?
• What does Check 21 do?
• Does Check 21 impact my check-writing?
• What is a substitute check?
• What does a substitute check look like?
• What happens if there is a problem with the substitute check?
• What happens to the original checks?
• Will there be any changes in my account statement?
• Will checks clear faster once Check 21 becomes effective?
• Can I choose to “opt-out” of Check 21?

What is Check 21?
The Check 21 legislation allows banks to replace original paper checks with “substitute checks” from the electronic image of the original check. The substitute check is the legal equivalent of the original check.

Why do we need Check 21?
Check 21 was created to reduce the time, risks and costs associated with paper check processing and transportation. Currently, when you write a check from your account and it is deposited at another bank, the check must be transported by truck and/or airplane between the banks in order to be paid. This transportation of original checks is slow and makes the national payment system vulnerable to delays and losses, among other risks.

What does Check 21 do?
Check 21 authorizes banks to create substitute checks from electronic images of original checks. Substitute checks are paper recreations of original checks and are the legal equivalent of the originals. A substitute check can be presented for payment in place of the original. The ability to convert an original check to an electronic image, transmit the image and create a substitute check from it is expected to facilitate the processing of checks electronically.

Does Check 21 impact my check-writing?
No. You can continue writing checks the same way that you always have.

What is a substitute check?
A “substitute check” is created by a bank and is a paper reproduction of a digital image of an original check. The substitute check contains an image of the front and back of the original check and conforms to banking industry standards for quality.

What does a substitute check look like?


Sample Substitute Check – front and back images

What happens if there is a problem with a substitute check?
If something is wrong with a substitute check, make a written request that your bank “recredit” (return) the funds to your account. You have a right to recredit in some cases, and not in others. Because it is hard to tell when the right of recredit applies, you should ask, in writing, for a recredit whenever a check is paid twice, a check is paid for the wrong amount, or something else is in error with your checking account.

What happens to the original checks?
Since there are no requirements to retain the original checks, they may be destroyed once either a digital image of the original checks has been made, or a substitute check has been created.

Will there be any changes in my account statement?
Yes, there could be. If you receive:

	Image Statements – you will continue to receive your image pages with images of original checks and/or substitute checks
	Truncation – this will remain the same
	Physical Return of Checks – in some cases, you may receive one or more substitute checks instead of original checks

Will checks clear faster once Check 21 becomes effective?
Over time, Check 21 should allow for an increase in the efficiency of all aspects of check clearing. The checks you write and those you deposit may clear faster, and notification of checks you deposited that are returned unpaid may occur more quickly. Don’t write a check unless the funds are already in your account!

Can I choose to “opt-out” of Check 21?
No. Once Check 21 legislation goes into effect on October, 28, 2004, it will apply to all financial institutions in the United States and their customers. There are no “opt-out” exceptions.