A2iA CheckReader Now Verifies Image Usability on Checks

Check 21 has accelerated the need and interest of banks to ensure that check images are usable and contain information in the required fields. The Check 21 Act establishes a Substitute Checks or Image Replacement Documents (IRD) legal status and X9, which is an American National Standard for substitute checks created under the Accredited Standards Committee X9 for the financial services industry. The X9 standard establishes the construction, layout, data elements, data content, and printing specifications for an IRD. This new legislation and interest in enhanced security measures is increasing banks need for a reliable tool to identify unusable images in order to avoid fraud, returns and additional research. Scheduled for release on April 19, A2iA CheckReader 3.1 will automatically include this functionality, improving the quality and integrity of archives. A2iA CheckReader will detect a number of fields when they are not filled in, including courtesy and legal amounts, signature, payee name and date, or when the image capture process makes then unusable. This will allow A2iA CheckReader to flag potential problems, such as a scanner issue, an incorrectly printed check, or whether the check simply needs to be rescanned. A2iAs fast and accurate recognition software runs tests on the check image and identifies checks that are unacceptable. The bank can then decide on the appropriate decision based on A2iA’s assessment of that particular check image. A2iA CheckReader Usability is designed to reduce the number of false positives in order to keep the workload associated with Image Usability Testing to a minimum. Given A2iAs outstanding reputation for cursive whole word recognition, A2iA CheckReader can also identify whether the check is machine-printed or handwritten and highlight a check that is not signed or has missing important information, such as the payee name, which is required for processing. New Document Identification System In addition, A2iA CheckReader 3.1 contains a new document identification system, which helps streamline the workflow in remittance, teller and POD applications. By automatically identifying documents such as deposit slips, remittance coupons and cash out tickets, A2iA helps to fully automate workflow. Developers no longer need an external plug-in or additional programming to identify what the document is before the recognition process begins. A2iA AddressPack Functionality A2iA CheckReader 3.1 also works with A2iA AddressPack to accurately read zip code, city, state, and street address by matching words on paper to real addresses in a postal database or dictionary. Not only does this allow for improved recognition of names and addresses on checks, but it can now also capture handwritten information on change of address (COA) forms. Availability The A2iA CheckReader recognition engine is an easy-to-use, affordable technology that will help banks and financial institutions reduce overall risk, clearing expenses and other costs related to bank fraud from checks that pass through the system with poor unacceptable images or missing signature or payee names. A2iA CheckReader is available through A2iAs official licensees and resellers.