Here are a few ways you could write your checks differently: - Use a different color ink than black. Blues and greens are common alternate colors. - Sign your name in a unique way each time, such as adding flourishes or writing it in cursive rather than print. - Alternate which corner of the check you write the date, payee name, or amount in to switch it up from the usual spots. - Include a small doodle or design element somewhere inconspicuous on the check as a personal touch. - Try writing with your non-dominant hand occasionally to disguise your usual penmanship. - Address the payee more creatively than just their name,

1. Personal Money Management

2.  Convenient way to pay bills
 Often safer than using cash
 Record keeping system to track expenses and
create budgets
 Access to other bank services such as direct
deposit, online banking, use of a debit card,
and 24/7 access to cash through ATMs

3.  Write checks carefully and keep accurate
records of checks written and deposits made.
 Verify the accuracy of the bank statement you
receive each month.
 Keep canceled checks among your permanent
records.

4.  Joint accounts
 Express accounts
 Basic accounts
 Interest bearing accounts
 Senior/Student accounts

5.  Opened by two or more people
 Any person who signs on the account has the
right to the entire amount deposited
 “Or” account – any authorized account holder
can write checks
 “And” account – requires signature of both
owners on checks

6.  For those who prefer to do things at an ATM or
computer
 Low minimum balance requirements
 Low or no monthly fees
 Must pay fees to visit a teller (Could be as high as
$3/visit)
 This type is good for those who have direct deposit or
use ATMs for withdrawals and transactions

7.  For those who have minimal banking needs
(perhaps pay a few bills or use debit card here
and there)
 May require direct deposit or minimum
balance to avoid “maintenance fees”
 You may be limited to the number of checks or
transactions each month; go over and you’ll
pay a “per item fee”

8.  A checking account in which you can earn interest
on the money in the account.
 Usually a minimum initial deposit to open the
account.
 Account balances must not fall below the
minimum balance set by the bank or you will have
to pay fees.
 Interest rates given are often very, very low (and
may not be worth the balance requirements).

9.  Banks will often provide special perks for
certain age people.
 These perks will vary from bank to bank, but
can include free ATM use, free checks,
discounts, etc.

10. • Check number
• ABA routing
number (fraction)
• Maker’s name and
address
• Date
• Payee
• Numeric amount
• Written amount
• Maker’s signature
• Routing number
• Account number
• Memo

11.  Check Number – used for easy identification;
top right hand corner of the check
 ABA Routing Number – fraction in the upper
right hand corner of check
 Used for internal transaction purposes
 “Old school” method – now just used as backup
option in case other routing number can’t be read or
is torn

12.  Date – fill in the date you write the check
 Usually towards the top, in the center of the check
 Postdating of checks is not recommended:
 Banks will not cash it before that date
 Bank may charge a fee for holding it
 Bank may not accept a check over six months old

13.  Payee – the person or company to whom the
check is made payable
 Numeric Amount – The amount of dollars and
cents being paid in figures.
 Write the amount neatly and clearly, close to
the dollar sign and make sure you insert a
decimal point between dollars and cents.

14.  Written Amount – The amount being paid in
words.
 Write the word “and” to separate dollars and
cents. This takes the place of the decimal point.
 Use a fraction for the amount in cents.
Example: 12/100
 Draw a line from the cents to the word
“dollars”

15.  Maker’s Signature – gives authorization for the written
check. Written in the lower right of a check.
 Routing Number – Bank identification number created
to help facilitate processing of checks. Located in the
lower left hand corner (the left-most number between
the colon symbols)
 Account Number – your personal checking account
number. (Lower left hand corner – the number on the
right)

16.  Memo – place at the bottom left of a check for
the maker to write the purpose of a check.
 Does not need to be filled in. Optional.
 When paying bills companies often ask you to
write your account number there.

17.  A check cannot be cashed until it has been
endorsed (signed)
 When two or more people are named as
payees, all must endorse the check
 To endorse a check, the payee signs the back of
the check in blue or black ink

18.  Blank Endorsement – the signature of the
payee written exactly as his or her name
appears on the front
 If the name is incorrect on the front, you would
correct the mistake by endorsing the check
with the misspelled version first, then with the
correct version below it
Donald McLain
Donald MacLane

19.  Special Endorsement – aka an endorsement in
full, is an endorsement that transfers the right
to cash the check to someone else
Pay to the order of
Diane Jones
Donald MacLane

20.  Restrictive Endorsement – limits the use of the
check.
 Example: “For Deposit Only” limits it to a
deposit into the account specified
 Safer than blank endorsement in mailing
deposits, in night deposit systems, or other
circumstances where a check may be lost.

21. For Deposit Only
United California Bank
Acct. # 8-2011-4
Donald MacLane

22.  How would you write your check differently?

23.  How would you write your check differently?