No, only images that meet the “substitute check” requirements qualify. Typical check image statements are not considered substitute checks.

In some cases you may not receive the original. If you receive canceled checks with your monthly checking account statements, some of the checks returned to you may actually be substitute checks, beginning Oct. 28, 2004. Regions will continue to provide returned checks as agreed with certain accounts. However, additional fees may be required in order to continue the service in the future. If you have questions, please contact a customer service representative and ask about what new types of account options are available.

Not to worry. Regions customers should contact us at 1-800-REGIONS (1-800-734-4667). We will have a copy out to you quickly.

Typically, original checks are destroyed once the check is digitized. There are no requirements governing the retention of original checks. Substitute checks are legal alternates for proof of payment.

Check 21 requires that we provisionally recredit your account, usually within 10 business days, for any substitute check you receive and dispute. Please review your monthly checking account statements and contact us immediately if you suspect an error. We will send you a disclosure statement soon with more precise details on provisional recrediting in cases of errors involving substitute checks.

This is one of the advantages of Check 21 – checks you write should clear sooner. So while check deposits will post quicker, it will also raise the possibility that some checks will be returned NSF if there were non-sufficient funds in the account when you wrote the check. You should not write checks for amounts that can’t be covered by funds already in your account.

Check 21 is good news for you because it will provide you with several benefits:

• Less clutter by not having to store canceled checks.
  
• Eliminates delays in posting checks due to weather or transportation problems.
• Improves online access to check images and imaged statements.
• Check deposits in the customer’s account will clear more quickly.
• Faster error resolution in situations when an error is suspected.

If you believe that you have suffered a loss relating to a substitute check that you received and that was posted to your account, please contact us by:

• Calling 1-800-REGIONS (1-800-267-6884) or
  
• Writing to us at us at Regions Bank – Fulfillment Services, P.O. Box 830805, Birmingham, AL 35283-0805 or
  
• Visiting your nearest Regions branch.

You must contact us within 40 calendar days of the date that we mailed (or otherwise delivered by a means to which you agreed) the substitute check in question or the account statement showing that the substitute check was posted to your account, whichever is later. We will extend this time period if you were not able to make a timely claim because of extraordinary circumstances. We may require that you submit your claim to us in writing.

Your claim must include the following:

• A description of why you have suffered a loss (for example, you think the amount withdrawn was incorrect)
• An estimate of the amount of your loss
• An explanation of why the substitute check you received is insufficient to confirm that you suffered a loss
  
• A copy of the substitute check (and/or) the following information to help us identify the substitute check: for example, the check number, the name of the person to whom you wrote the check, the amount of the check.

As a result of Check 21, now is a great time to consider other Regions products that could reduce the need to receive canceled checks in your statement. These products include:

• Duplicate checks. If you historically require canceled checks in your statements, you might find duplicate checks an attractive alternative. Duplicate checks provide a carbonless copy of the check at the time of transaction. They do not contain customer personalization or routing and account numbers, making the document safe from fraudulent activity.
• Regions VISA CheckCard. Because a debit card works like a check, it’s ideal if you require canceled checks in your statements.
  
• RegionsNet® Online Banking. A convenient alternative to paying bills by check, the online banking with bill pay option allows you 24/7 access to routine banking and allows you to:
  
  
  • Pay bills online
  • Set up automatic recurring payments
  • Schedule payments in advance
  • Receive statements online for convenient account balancing
  • Statement history is available online for up to 18 months
  • Statements are printable or can be saved electronically
• Image Statements. You may want to opt for this convenient option which allows you to receive in your monthly statements images of each check written. These are easier to file and maintain over time than canceled checks.