Scan checks the day they arrive and clear them electronically. Get faster access to funds, better cash flow and lower costs, with no more trips to the bank.
Check scanners · Mobile capture · Secure transmission · Searchable image archive
Check 21 lets banks clear checks from digital images instead of paper, so your checks move as fast as the rest of your payments.
Checks become electronic images that clear and settle faster, with no waiting for paper to travel through the banking system.
Deposit the day you receive a check and get access to funds sooner, so you can plan and spend with confidence.
No trips to the bank and less manual handling. Your team saves time and makes fewer errors.
Cut spending on paper handling, storage, courier trips and manual labor compared with depositing paper checks.
Check images and payment data are encrypted in transit, reducing the risk of lost or stolen checks.
Every check is stored as a searchable image, so finding a past payment takes seconds, not a trip to the filing cabinet.
Better for the planet, too. Less paper, fewer courier trips and less storage, supporting greener business practices.
Capture the front and back with a check scanner or a supported mobile app.
The image and payment data are encrypted and sent to your bank or processor.
The check clears electronically, often in one to two business days, depending on your bank.
If customers mail or hand you checks, use Check 21. If they pay online or by phone, use eCheck or ACH.
| Check 21 | eCheck / ACH | |
|---|---|---|
| Starts with | A paper check you receive | Bank details the customer gives you |
| Best for | Mailed checks, in-person payments, B2B | Online checkout, invoices, recurring billing |
| Equipment | Check scanner or mobile capture | None: works through your website or virtual terminal |
| Phone payments | Not recommended (see note below) | Yes, with proper authorization |
Taking payments by phone? Creating a check from details a customer reads out over the phone (a remotely created check) is banned for telemarketing sales under the FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule. Use eCheck / ACH or a virtual terminal instead.
Our team guides you through setup and integration with your existing payment systems. Tell us how many checks you handle each month.
Direct-Merchant.org provides consulting and application support only. We are not a bank or payment processor, and we do not hold or move funds. Approval, pricing, funds availability and holds are decided solely by your bank or processor. Check processing must follow applicable law, including the Check 21 Act, Regulation CC and the FTC Telemarketing Sales Rule. This page is general information, not legal advice.