If you work in the financial industry – banks, accounts payable, you probably know what MICR is, but then again, you might not.
The release of the Check 21 Act in 2004 made it OK for paper checks to be converted into digital images and used in B2B transactions, so the role of MICR might not be as well known. However, MICR has not gone away. Even with The Check 21 Act, you still need MICR on your checks. But what exactly is MICR? Is it just one part of the check? Is it included in the whole check?
In this blog post, we’ll go into detail of the many different aspects of MICR, the crucial aspects of MICR check printing, and how TROY can help.
MICR is a technology that utilizes magnetic ink and specific character fonts to encode information on checks. MICR stands for Magnetic Ink Character Recognition, which narrows it down, but MICR is a broad term when you take a closer look. MICR is a term used for checks and can refer to various aspects of checks or the printing process. 3 core elements that MICR can refer to are MICR toner, MICR lines, and MICR fonts.
MICR and check printing refer to and work together with all of these elements, and in 2024, MICR still requires. Even though Check 21 enables digital check transactions, the check still requires MICR to be considered a "cash item." Banking machines scan the MICR line and amount. This is done for a company's AR department. The purpose is to match and apply the cash to the right invoices. In larger companies, reading and scanning this information correctly is paramount.
Regardless of company size, secure check printing is necessary for B2B transactions. 40% of companies still use checks to pay their vendors, which is a pretty large percentage for a world that’s moving towards digital.
The auto industry uses checks to buy cars from customers. Insurance companies use checks to approve claims. Governments and payroll departments also use checks. The checks used by all of these industries require MICR toner, a correctly positioned MICR line, and MICR fonts.
Other than what MICR is and if it's still required, there is one major misconception of MICR ink that still exists: is it secure? The answer is no.
While MICR uses magnetic ink and is a requirement for checks, it does not protect against check fraud. MICR ink itself does not contain any properties that make it impervious to fraud schemes like check washing, a technique in which fraudsters will wash off the amount and the accounting and routing numbers and alter the check to go right into their own bank accounts.
With cases of check fraud skyrocketing from 350,000 to 680,000 from 2021 to 2022, protecting your checks from these schemes is crucial.
Luckily, TROY has thought of everything. TROY has a suite of MICR security solutions needed to print secure, custom checks for your business. With TROY’s solutions, printing checks with the proper banking standards is no longer a worry, and neither is fraud. With our patented fraud-resistant toner, printers enhanced with MICR security features, and MICR fonts, check printing can be easy and secure.
In a world where financial transactions are constantly evolving, the importance of MICR check printing cannot be overstated. The use of magnetic ink and standardized fonts enhances security, prevents fraud, and facilitates the efficient processing of checks. Whether you are an individual or a business involved in check transactions, embracing MICR technology is a crucial step toward ensuring the integrity and reliability of your financial dealings. With TROY’s end-to-end solution for MICR check printing, printing secure checks for your business can be easy and streamlined, giving you peace of mind that your checks are safe and above banking standards.
Visit our site to explore our full range of security solutions here.