Paper checks are being transitioned to electronic images of checks at a
pace that is unprecedented. Check images are currently collected in two forms, as substitute
checks and as check images.
Substitute checks assist in evolving traditional paper check clearing
to image-based clearing. As a precursor to full check image exchange, the number of substitute
checks is a positive indication of the acceptance of image exchange.
Just 27 months after the effective date of Check 21, 6.4 billion check
payments totaling $9.4 trillion per year have already moved from the traditional paper-based
clearing process to improved image-based processes. Based on the 2004 Federal Reserve Payments Study,
that amount is much greater than the sum of all debit card payments ($.6 trillion) and all credit
card payments ($1.7 trillion).
The number of images received by paying banks exceeded the number of
substitutes for the first time in the month of September 2006. The rate of growth in images
is accelerating.
This Checkimage Collaborative industry image clearing data reflects
transactions settled through the Federal Reserve, NCHA and SVPCO and does not include duplicate counting.
Data Sources for all Statistics:
Transaction settled through the Federal Reserve, NCHA and SVPCO with no duplicate counting.
