Bank Check Cashing Process

When you step back and think about it, checks are pretty amazing. A small slip of paper with a few words, some funny-looking numbers and a signature can give you access to money in someone else's account, potentially located at a different type of financial institution in a different state or country. While cashing a check is a relatively simple process for you, there's a lot going on behind the scenes.

Years ago, checks had to be sent to a big clearing house that physically matched up checks between banks for payment. This made check cashing a bit of a risk for banks, since there was a possibility the money wouldn't be there when it came time for the bank to collect on the check. Today, the data from a check you're cashing goes through an electronic clearing house or, in some cases, transfers through a direct connection between two banks, bypassing the clearing house. These clearing houses and connections let the bank see if the money is there before it pays you. If it is, you'll be given your funds.