1: Your personal information

In the upper left corner of your check, you’ll find the name and address you’ve registered with your bank.

2: Check number

In the upper and lower right corners of your check is the check number. This number is for your own record-keeping and provides additional account security. Check numbers help you keep track of which checks you have used and will appear as line items in your bank statement.

3: Date line

When writing a check, here is where you record the date that you intend for the transaction to occur. If you write a check and plan for it to be deposited at a later date, make sure that your account has adequate funds to cover the amount because your check’s recipient may not wait until the date written to deposit the check. 

4: “Pay to the order of” line

This line is where you write the name of the business or individual your check is intended for.

5 and 6: Dollar amount box and dollar line

To the right of the “Pay to the order of” line, your check has a box with a dollar sign in front of it. This is where you write the total amount of money you wish to send in numerals; for example, $315.10.

On the line directly below, you will write out the check amount long-form, with words instead of numbers. If your check amount includes cents, they should be written as a fraction. Using the example above, this would be: Three hundred and fifteen dollars + 10/100.

7: Bank name and logo

Also visible on the front of your check is your bank’s name and logo. This indicates the financial institution that issued your checks and where the money in question will be withdrawn from.

8: Memo line

In the bottom left corner of your check, there is a line where you can specify your check’s purpose — such as Wi-Fi bill, plumbing fee, monthly rent, birthday, and the like.

9: Signature line

Next to the memo line in the bottom right corner of your check is the signature line. This is how you indicate the check came from you and denotes your permission for the funds to be withdrawn from your account. 

10 and 11: Account number and routing number

These two components of your check are arguably the most relevant, and those that you will use most frequently outside the confines of your checkbook. Your routing number is associated with the bank that holds your account, and your account number identifies your specific account within the bank. Knowing this information is useful when setting up direct deposit for your paycheck with your employer, or creating accounts with online banking and money apps such as PayPal, Cash App, and Venmo.

If you are a Wintrust customer and need to access this information without a check, you can find out how to access your branch’s routing number here.

12: Padlock icon

On the back of your check, you’ll notice a box containing a padlock icon. No need to do anything with this — the icon serves as a symbol for the security measures that have been taken to prevent fraud.

13: Endorsement line

On the back of your check is a section where the recipient needs to sign before depositing in person, online, via mobile, or at an ATM. Endorsing a check is a final security measure to verify someone as the check’s intended recipient. This also allows the bank to move forward in clearing the check to deposit the funds. 

Questions? Our bankers provide guidance and direction not just when you get started on your banking journey, but at every step along the way. Contact your banker for assistance or reach out to us here.