Method and system for processing financial instrument deposits physically remote from a financial institution

Abstract

A system that includes computer hardware, computer software, apparatus, and methodology that enables individuals, businesses, and all types of organizations (both for profit and non-profit) to capture and securely transmit check images (including, but not limited to, personal checks, business checks, travelers checks, money orders, merchant coupons, food coupons, line of credit checks, etc.), deposit information, and other information from remote locations (i.e., locations that could include the financial institution's remote locations, other financial institution's locations, businesses, private residences, etc.), for the purpose of having those checks credited to the depositing individual's or organization's bank account(s) and having the check images (and/or physical checks) entered into the bank check clearing channels for ultimate delivery to the maker bank for payment out of the maker's account.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for bank deposit processing at a central system a plurality of checks deposited at a remote site with accompanying bank deposit information, the method comprising:
 the central system receiving bank deposit information for a plurality of different bank deposit transactions made by a plurality of different depositing individuals,
 with the bank deposit information including
 a bank deposit account designation within a bank of first deposit for each of the plurality of different depositing individuals, 
 electronic check data for each of the plurality of checks being deposited by each of the plurality of different depositing individuals and 
 check image data for at least one check of the plurality of checks being deposited by each of the plurality of different depositing individuals, 
 
 wherein the central system is separate from MICR capture, deposit accounting, and float processing systems for the bank of first deposit; 
   the central system transmitting at least the electronic check data for each of the plurality checks being deposited in each of the plurality of different bank deposit transactions to the bank of first deposit   in a transmission having a transmission path that bypasses the MICR capture system of the bank of first deposit.   
     
     
         2 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the central system receives the bank deposit information from at least two remote sites through which different depositing individuals made at least one bank deposit transaction. 
     
     
         3 . The method as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the central system transmits the electronic check data directly to the bank of first deposit. 
     
     
         4 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the central system transmits the electronic check data for each of the plurality of checks being deposited in addition to the check image data for each of the plurality checks being deposited. 
     
     
         5 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of the central system storing on a server accessible from the Internet at least one of the check image data, endorsed check image data and voided check image data for at least one check of the plurality of checks being deposited. 
     
     
         6 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising the central system receiving information about a return check coupled with a reference key for an original deposit transaction. 
     
     
         7 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising the central system receiving information about a return check coupled with a reference key for an original deposit transaction;
 the central system determining if a re-presentment of the returned check requires a duplicate hard copy of the returned check.   
     
     
         8 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the transmitting step comprises:
 the central system electronically transferring at least the electronic check data or each of the plurality checks being deposited to a storage location that is electronically accessible to the bank of first deposit through remote access.   
     
     
         9 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the transmitting step comprises:
 the central system transmitting at least the electronic check data for each of the plurality checks being deposited in each of the plurality of different bank deposit transactions to a location accessible by the bank of first deposit using a transmission path that bypasses the MICR capture, deposit accounting, cash management, and float processing systems of the bank of first deposit.   
     
     
         10 . A method for bank deposit processing at a central system a plurality of checks which were deposited through at least one remote site, comprising:
 the central system receiving bank deposit information for a plurality of different bank deposit transactions made by a plurality of different depositing individuals using at least one remote site,
 with the bank deposit information including
 a bank deposit account designation within a bank of first deposit for each of the plurality of different depositing individuals, 
 electronic check data for each of the plurality of checks being deposited by each of the plurality of different depositing individuals and 
 check image data for at least one check of the plurality of checks being deposited by each of the plurality of different depositing individuals, 
 
 wherein the central system is separate from a deposit accounting system for the bank of first deposit; 
   the central system electronically providing at least the electronic check data for each of the plurality checks being deposited to the bank of first deposit.   
     
     
         11 . The method as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the providing step comprises:
 the central system electronically transferring at least the electronic check data for each of the plurality checks being deposited in each of the plurality of different bank deposit transactions to a storage location that is electronically accessible to the bank of first deposit via remote access under secure control.   
     
     
         12 . The method as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the providing step comprises:
 the central system electronically transmitting directly to the bank of first deposit at least the electronic check data for each of the plurality checks being deposited.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the transferring step utilizes a transmission path that bypasses the MICR capture, deposit accounting, cash management, and float processing systems of the bank of first deposit. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the central system is separate from the MICR capture, deposit accounting, and float processing systems for the bank of first deposit. 
     
     
         15 . The method as defined in  claim 10 , further comprising the step of the central system storing on a server accessible from the Internet at least one of the check image data, endorsed check image data and voided check image data for at least one check of the plurality of checks being deposited. 
     
     
         16 . The method as defined in  claim 10 , further comprising the central system receiving information about a return check coupled with a reference key for an original deposit transaction. 
     
     
         17 . The method as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the central system receives the bank deposit information from at least two remote sites through which different depositing individuals made at least one bank deposit transaction at each of the at least two remote sites. 
     
     
         18 . The method as defined in  claim 10 , further comprising operating in a system with a plurality of different remote sites, each of which remote sites is separate from the central system, wherein the bank deposit information being received by the central system is generated using a method comprising the following steps:
 a first remote site obtaining bank deposit information including
 a bank deposit account designation within a bank of first deposit for a first depositing individual, 
 electronic check data for at least one check being deposited by the first depositing individual and 
 check image data for at least one check being deposited by the first depositing individual, 
   the first remote site transmitting the obtained bank deposit information to the central system,   a second remote site, different from the first remote site, obtaining bank deposit information including
 a bank deposit account designation within a bank of first deposit for a second depositing individual, 
 electronic check data for at least one check being deposited by the second depositing individual and 
 check image data for at least one check being deposited by the second depositing individual, and 
   the second remote site transmitting the obtained bank deposit information to the central system.