Check 21 & Substitute Checks

A substitute check is a special paper copy of the front and back of an original check, specially formatted to be processed as if they were original checks. The front of a substitute check should state: “This is a legal copy of your check. You can use it the same way you would use the original check.”

Why do financial institutions create substitute checks? Some banks find that exchanging electronic images of checks with other banks is faster and more efficient than physically transporting paper checks. In certain circumstances, however, banks may need to use a paper check. To address this need, Check 21 allows a financial institution to create and send a substitute check that is made from an electronic image of the original check. If you should receive one of these copies from AMPLIFY, don't throw it away! It's the real deal.