Return Check Clearing Services

The Federal Reserve Banks’ Return Check Clearing Service provides financial institutions with a variety of return item products that allows you to return unpaid checks to the bank of first deposit (BOFD) or to a correspondent bank or processor designated by the BOFD. The Federal Reserve Banks can help you expedite your check returns by handling your return items, regardless of who processed the items during forward collection.

Qualified Return Item Deposit (PDF)

Allows you to submit a cash letter containing dishonored check items that can be processed on high-speed equipment thus decreasing your return item costs by qualifying return items.

Unqualified Return Item Deposit (PDF)

Allows you to submit a cash letter containing dishonored check items that have not been prepared for automated processing. This is a useful service if your institution does not have encoding equipment, your return items have attachments, or the BOFD cannot be identified.

Large Dollar Return item Notification (LDRIN) (PDF)

Provides you with notification for all return checks that are $2,500 or more. For all returned checks for $2,500 or more, current law requires you to notify the bank of first deposit by 4 P.M. local time on the second banking day after the check is presented. To help your institution meet this requirement, the Federal Reserve offers this service.

Discover the benefits of Return Check Clearing Service

  • Expedited check returns
  • Realized processing and/or resource efficiencies
  • Improved customer service
  • Plus additional benefits highlighted in the Return Check Clearing product sheet (PDF)

To start using this service, visit the Return Check Clearing setup page or contact your account executive

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