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Though the banking system has undergone many changes over the course of time, bank checks are one of the constants that have always been a staple of the system. People and companies have been using bank checks as promissory notes as far back as the ancient Roman Empire and the practice of ordering bank checks continues today.

First Bank Checks

The Persian Empire mimicked the Ancient Roman's simple form of bank checks. Nearly 400 years prior, the Romans made use of what they called praescriptiones as early as 100 BC. Although their system was simple, it was certainly the creator of what has developed now into bank checks.

In The Medieval Period

During the middle ages, Europeans also made use of their own bank check system. To prevent theft, the Knights Templar was developed. This banking system would keep a person's money for them while that person traveled cross-country. The person was responsible for holding a proof of claim draft, which would allow them to retrieve their money. This proof of claim draft was the earliest known form of a paper check, similar to that of today. It is believed that this was inspired from the Muslims that had utilized this method a few hundred years before.

Bills of Exchange

The foundations of the modern checking system have derived from what was once referred to as a "bill of exchange" from early bankers. By the use of this system, early banks would allow the customers to pay necessary bills through the use of bank's mandatory orders. This, of course, made distance commerce much easier, given how people were able to engage in trade practices without the requirement of having a great deal of gold or other hard currency on hand. This was, overall, a deeply necessary change, since carrying around significant amounts of coin was both burdensome and potentially disastrous for traveling merchants.

Bank checks in the U.S.A.

In the U.S., bank checks were brought over during the Colonial period by European individuals. The system became prevalent and popular in Europe during the early 1700s, so it was natural that the colonists would pick up on the system. As banks have become more complicated in the last 100 years, more and more systems of control and security have been added to bank checks in order to protect the consumer.

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As well as the check designs styles mentioned above, you will find many more including: personalized photo checks, computer checks and recycled checks.

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A History of Bank Checks

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