Check Imaging

Imaging is the latest advancement in banking technology. Imaging provides electronic pictures of checks that are stored on optical discs. The images are very legible and the size of the images can be adjusted to your personal requirements. The way the images are stored at the Bank allows for instantaneous research. Now you can be provided with an image of a check within minutes (instead of the days or weeks it took to get a copy of the check in the past). Instead of mailing a bulky stack of checks with your statement, you will receive clear, neat images of your checks. Images of your checks will be stored at the Bank for 5 years.

Advantages of the image system are:

• Statements will be clearer, easier to read.
• Checks will be presented on 8-1/2 X 11" sheets with 10 images (checks) per page.
• Sheets are pre-punched for storage in a 3-ring binder.
• Checks will be sorted in numerical order. The amount of each check and the process date will be displayed underneath on the bottom of each page.
• If you need a copy (front and back) of any check, your branch office can provide it within minutes. No longer will you have to wait for days or weeks to receive the copies that you need. The copies are Bank certified and the system has the capability to automatically fax the image to you.

Questions and Answers

The following questions and answers are designed to address some of the most commonly discussed issues relating to the new imaging systems. We believe that you will find imaging to be a great improvement in service to you and will greatly assist your account reconciliation and record keeping.

Is the size of the check images fixed or can the system provide smaller or larger prints?

• The size of the images is variable and can be changed. We can provide you with a larger image or more images on a page. Please give the current size a try.

Is the imaging system capable of providing the image of the back of the check?

• We can provide the back of each image for your convenience. It is not normally necessary to look at the back of checks for endorsements, but if you require them, we can provide them for you.

Since the check images are printed on pages, how do I sort my checks by certain categories for my accountant?

• Check images can easily be color-coded for your accountant. Most accountants are very familiar with check imaging and favorably endorse it.

What do I do if I have to prove that I paid a bill?

• When you send a creditor a "proof of payment", you always send a copy of the check. Now you can send a Bank Certified Image copy which can be printed out within minutes of your request and is legal proof of your payment.

Will the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) accept images of checks for proof of payment?

• The IRS is imaging tax forms. The Federal Reserve Bank is already imaging checks. We can make you a Bank Certified copy of any check and will keep all your checks on file for 5 years. By law, the IRS must accept the image.

Checks are normally the property of the account holder. Who owns these checks after they have been presented for payment for goods or services?

• The information on the checks is always yours, but the paper itself is relinquished once it has been presented for payment of goods or services just as if you were using cash. That information is provided to you on images and is retained for 5 years by the bank.

Will the imaging system increase my monthly service charge?

• No. We do not anticipate a change in the current service charge schedule at this time.