FedForward® Services Setup

Thank you for choosing one of the Federal Reserve Banks' Check 21-enabled products. We are excited to work with you to make this a smooth and easy transition. Following are the steps to take to streamline your implementation process, including contacts to help you with questions at any step along the way. Depending on the access solution and services to which you already subscribe, you may be able to omit several of these steps. Read the steps carefully to determine which apply to you. If you need overall advice in any step of the process, consult your account executive.

Step 1 - Select Service Options

The following information will help you determine what specific service features are right for your institution, along with providing an overview of the implementation process.

Step 2 - Assess Access Needs

Use the following guides to determine which access solution provides the services/features your institution needs.

Step 3 - Review Rules and Regulations

Federal Reserve Financial Services use is governed by applicable Operating Circulars (OCs). In addition, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System has responsibility for implementing certain laws pertaining to a wide range of banking and financial activities. The following apply to Check 21-enabled products:

OC 3: Collection of Cash Items and Return Checks

Applies to the handling of all cash items that we accept for forward collection and all returned checks that we accept for return.

Regulation J (Off-site Link)

Collection of checks and other items by Federal Reserve Banks and funds transfers through Fedwire® Services.

Regulation CC (Off-site Link)

Includes regulations concerning availability of funds.

Step 4 - Review Setup Documentation

The implementation guide is available for your review to help you understand all testing and implementation processes.

Step 5 - Review Hardware/Software Requirements and Internal Processes

Evaluate all internal software/hardware systems and compare to Federal Reserve Bank requirements to determine if changes are needed for a successful production cutover.

Step 6 - Complete Forms/Agreements

Now that you've determined your access solution, service features and your hardware and software requirements, you can proceed to fill out the appropriate forms/agreements. Once these are complete contact your account executive to schedule a kick-off call to begin the implementation process.

The following links include the most common forms and agreements that may be required for implementation.

All Customers

Check 21 Services Agreement and Setup Form (PDF)

For all Check 21 customers.

FedForward Cull from Mixed and Other Fed Paper Deposit Services (PDF)

For customers using the FedForward Cull from Mixed and Other Fed Paper Deposit Services.

Check 21 Agency Agreement (PDF)

For customers using a third party agent for check processing.

Customers using the FedLine® Web Connectivity Option

Current FedLine Customers:

  • If your End User Authorization Contact (EUAC) has authority to manage access for services, your EUAC should complete a Subscriber Request Form online, requesting to modify your access to include FedForward Services. EUACs must define access roles for each Subscriber in your organization.
  • If not, your organization must first submit an End User Authorization Request Form (PDF) marked modified to include Check Services.

Questions? Contact your Customer Contact Center.

Non-FedLine Customers:

Questions? Contact your Customer Contact Center.

Customers using Tumbleweed SecureTransportTM Software Connectivity Option

  • Order SecureTransport client software directly from the Tumbleweed online portal (Off-site Link) established for Federal Reserve Bank customers.
  • Review the instructions (PDF) for installing and configuring the SecureTransport Windows Client Software.

Current FedLine Customers:

  • If your End User Authorization Contact (EUAC) has authority to manage access for Check Services, your EUAC should complete a Subscriber Request Form online, requesting to modify your access to include FedForward Services. EUACs must define access roles for each Subscriber in your organization.
  • If not, your organization must first submit an End User Authorization Request Form (PDF) marked modified to include Check Services.

Questions? Contact your Customer Contact Center.

Non-FedLine Customers:
(For FedLine Web and Tumbleweed SecureTransport ONLY)

Questions? Contact your Customer Contact Center.

Customers using the Sterling Commerce Connect:Direct® Secure+Software Connectivity Option

Step 7 - Schedule Testing and Production Date

Once you have addressed all of the steps above and completed your kick-off call, the Federal Reserve Banks will work with you to establish testing schedules and production cutover dates.

Step 8 - Congratulations! Begin processing image cash letters using your new Federal Reserve Financial Services.

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