The "Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act," commonly known as "Check 21," was signed into law in the fall of 2003 and became effective on October 28, 2004.
This federal law affects every financial institution in the nation and its customers. Here are some examples of the changes that result from "Check 21".
If you currently receive your cancelled checks with your account statement, a "substitute check" may now replace your original check.
If you deposit a check into your account, it may be returned to you as a "substitute check."
Some checks that you write may now clear faster than in the past.
If you request a copy of a check, you may receive a "substitute check" that is now the legal equivalent of an original check.
Check 21 provides that a "substitute check" will be treated the same as the original under applicable law. Therefore, you can use it for any purpose that you would use an original check.
To help you better understand "Check 21," its impacts and your rights, we have:
