Many organizations would like a software tool that helps them build a solution to capture checks from any type of scanner and then turn the check images into an image cash letter (ICL) file to send to a financial institution (FI).
All My Papers software makes any scanner into a check scanner by finding and formatting the check images in a folder of images. The mechanism for transferring the check image for processing is to make the check image part of an image cash letter (ICL) file.
All My Papers software will create an ICL file and format it for the destination per the receiving FI’s companion document requirements.
Check Image Cash Letter File
A check image cash letter file goes by many different names:
- ICL file
- X9.37 File
- Universal Companion Document (UCD) File
- X9.100-187 or 180 File
- Remote Deposit Capture File
It is the electronic equivalent of paper checks bundled together in a container that totals the number of check items and their dollar amounts. The ICL file has two major types of data components check images and text data:
- Check Images – Front and back images of the check. The check images must conform to the standards for exchange. All My Papers software ensures the check images meet these exchange requirements.
- Textual data describing the check items in the ICL file - The text is in a hierarchical structure. As shown in the diagram above, an ICL file may contain one or more image cash letters. This text data must conform to the receiving institutions format.
Image Cash Letter Requirements
X9/ICL Requirements
The following items are neeeded to create an ICL file:
- Exchange Ready front of check image
- Exchange Ready back of check image
- MICR Data including bank routing number, account number and check serial number
- Dollar Amount
- Destination Companion document for formatting ICL file
- Bundle size
- Optional payee endorsement information
- Dollar amount
Companion Documents and Destination File Formats
Each destination financial institution (recipient of the ICL file) requires that the file be formatted to their unique requirements. These requirements are detailed in a companion document. These companion documents are usually proprietary.
All My Papers supports Check 21 exchange ICL file formats for
- Federal Reserve Bank
- SVPCO
- Viewpointe
- Endpoint
Summary
Using All My Papers software with will allow the creation of conforming check Image Cash Letter files that are ready to send for clearing through the check image clearing exchanges or remotely deposited to most of the major banks in the U.S.
For more information about All My Checks software contact