Payment done in business fields have always started with the use of personal checks. Regardless of the type of transaction done, paying through personal checks has been the popular choice. Aside from the convenience that it provides, producing and filling one out is a breeze. Why then, is it experiencing a downward rate when it comes to usage? This articles will discuss why, but first, what is a check?
Defining Checks
In a broader sense, you can say that a check is an order made by a depositor to the bank to send an amount of his or her funds to the person or party who was specified. It gives the bank permission to pay the party the amount specified using the depositor’s money. Because of this function, many transactions involving payments for an entity is done using checks. The words cheque or checque are variations of this term, but they all function as described here. 
A personal check, on the other hand, is a check that lets the bank to withdraw money from the depositor’s personal account for a payment. By completing a personal check, the depositor ensures that there is enough balance in his or her personal account to make the payment. If this is not the case, the check is said to bounce. An insufficient balance that prohibits the payment to happen will make the depositor be subjected to certain fees and penalties.
Comparing personal checks from the other types of checks, it would be more convenient to use the former method. This is because it protects the bearer of the check from theft. In addition, the check would serve as the receipt after the transaction was finished.
A Look at Personal Checks
Usually, a personal check holds pertinent information regarding the personal bank account of the depositor. This would include the checking number, the account number, the place and the date of issuance of the check, the name of the payee, the amount of payment to be made, and the signature of the depositor.
Who are Involved
There are three parties involved in a personal check transaction: the drawer/maker, the payee, and the drawee. The person who own the personal bank account is the maker of the check. The payee is the entity that should receive the amount in the check. The drawee is the bank from which the check is en cashed.
Personal Checks – Disadvantages
For legal purposes, many are discouraging the use of personal checks especially for legal transactions that require huge amounts of money. Due to the chance of the check bouncing, other companies prefer the use of other types of checks with a good history of validity and a sturdy balance.
Personal Checks – Its Future
As mentioned in the beginning, the use of personal checks is declining. This lose of popularity is a result of technological advances. Electronic modes for payments are made available in the public, and using them is comparatively easier than personal checks. In addition, processing checks is more expensive for certain financial establishments. Using automated methods to do the payment is a better and cheaper alternative for them. Moreover, there is a very serious risk of fraud in using these checks. To protect the maker of the check, electronic modes are often preferred.
