The CHECK CLEARING for the 21st CENTURY ACT
or "Check 21"
Today, approximately 42.5 billion checks are written in the United States each year, and credit unions account for approximately 4.7 billion of those. Each day, these instruments are processed by the institution where they are deposited and then delivered for presentment to paying institutions throughout the country.
In October of this year, an important new federal law – the Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act (Check 21) – will change the way checks are processed across the United States. It will affect all financial institutions including banks and credit unions.
Even as technology has greatly enhanced the financial services industry, paper checks are still physically moved between banks and credit unions across the country. The time that it takes for those checks to travel back to Pyramid is called “float.” Disruption to the financial and transportation industries after September 11th caused float times to extend from days to weeks.
Check 21 was enacted to improve that process. The law will allow paper checks to be converted to an electronic image that is sent securely between financial institutions. This is called truncation, which makes it possible to move checks through the collection process digitally rather than by the more costly and slower physical transportation of paper checks by trucks and airplanes. Many believe that this electronic processing time will reduce the float that members have experienced in the past. For some who use the float, this will mean a change in how you manage your balances to avoid NSF charges.
As the October implementation date approaches, we will continue to update you on information to help you effectively manage your Pyramid checking account.