Abstract: Managing foreign payments in an International ACH. An originating depository financial institution (“ODFI”) can create an ACH item designating a fixed amount of foreign currency to be credited to, or a fixed amount of domestic currency to be debited from, a receiving depository financial institution. In a variable to fixed payment, a conversion module of the ODFI or a gateway operator can determine a foreign exchange (“FX”) conversion rate. Using the FX conversion rate, the conversion module can calculate a domestic currency amount or a foreign currency amount corresponding to the desired foreign/domestic currency payment. The conversion module can enter the FX conversion rate and/or the determined domestic/foreign currency amount into the ACH item for processing via the International ACH. In a fixed to fixed payment, the ODFI can transmit information about the foreign currency payment via the International ACH and settle the payment via ACH or non-ACH means.

Abstract: Efficiently assessing the quality of an electronic check image by determining whether the check image is suitable for image quality analysis prior to performing the image quality analysis. A check processing module of a check processor can determine whether the check image is suitable for image quality analysis by validating certain tags in the image. For example, such validation can include determining whether the check image includes certain mandatory tags and whether any optional tags present in the image are valid. The check processing module can determine that the check image is not suitable for image quality analysis if it does not include the mandatory tags or if it includes any invalid optional tags. The check processing module can assign a failure value to any check image that is not suitable for image quality analysis. The failure value can indicate a reason for the unsuitability of the check image.

Abstract: Managing foreign payments using separate conduits for messaging and payments. An originating depository financial institution can create an F3X message designating a fixed amount of foreign currency to be credited to, or debited from, a receiving depository financial institution. The originating depository financial institution transmits the F3X message to a domestic gateway operator via an ACH network. The domestic gateway operator then forwards the F3X message to a foreign gateway operator. Separately, the originating depository financial institution transmits a payment to the foreign gateway operator either directly or via a correspondent financial institution. The foreign gateway operator matches the payment to the F3X message and transmits the payment to the receiving depository financial institution.

Abstract: Preventing duplicate ICL files and/or ICL file elements, including duplicate ICLs, items, and item bundles, from being processed for payment and/or presentment. A duplicate detection module can assign a predictable and repeatable unique identifier to each ICL file and/or ICL file element. The duplicate detection module can determine whether each ICL file and/or element is a duplicate by comparing the identifier associated with the ICL file and/or element with information stored in a record of already processed files/elements. In response to determining that an ICL file and/or element is a duplicate, the duplicate detection module can determine not to process the file/element for payment and/or presentment. In response to determining that the ICL file and/or element is not a duplicate, the duplicate detection module can store information regarding the file/element in the record. For example, the stored information can include the unique identifier associated with the file/element.

Abstract: Validating image cash letter (“ICL”) files using appropriate validation standards for each ICL file and, where appropriate, allowing successfully validated elements of an ICL file containing one or more unsuccessfully validated elements to be processed for payment and/or presentment. A processing entity can receive an ICL file with multiple ICLs that each includes multiple bundles of electronic check items from a customer. The processing entity can validate the ICL file using multiple validation rules selected based on a file type of the ICL file, data content of the ICL file, and/or an identity of a bank associated with the ICL file. The processing entity can transmit a report of the validation results to the customer. The processing entity can select certain successfully validated elements of the ICL file for check presentment and/or payment processing.

Abstract: Assessing the quality of an electronic image comprises determining a quality rating for the electronic image, associating image quality thresholds with purposes for electronic images, selecting the purpose that corresponds to the electronic image, identifying an image quality threshold associated with the selected purpose, and determining whether the quality rating meets the image quality threshold. The electronic image is suitable for its intended purpose if its quality rating meets the threshold.

Abstract: Monitoring an electronic check processing status of an image cash letter (“ICL”) and items in the ICL includes processing each ICL item by performing at least one electronic check processing event in connection with the item. For each electronic check processing event and for each item, a record comprising information related to a status of the electronic check processing event is created. Each record is associated with the corresponding item and the ICL. A status of each item can be determined based on the information stored in the records corresponding to that item. A status of the ICL can be determined based on the status of the items from the ICL.

Abstract: Balancing image cash letters (“ICLs”) and ICL items during electronic check processing includes determining whether each item has been presented to a receiving institution for payment. A tracking module can track an incoming ICL/item's processing status using records comprising information regarding the ICL/item's status for electronic check processing events. The tracking module can present the ICL/item's processing status in one or more reports. The tracking module can balance an ICL by comparing an incoming ICL value amount with an outgoing ICL value amount. The incoming ICL value amount comprises the total value of the items in the incoming ICL. The outgoing ICL value amount comprises the total value of the items in the incoming ICL that have been presented to a receiving institution via one or more outgoing ICLs. If the amounts match, then the incoming ICL is balanced. If not, then the ICL is not balanced.

Abstract: Accommodating the data needed to process checks for payment under the Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act by using expanded fields of a financial data file. The financial data file can comprise the complete, original MICR data from an original or substitute paper check. The financial data file can comprise truncated data in conventional fields F1-F7 and untruncated data in expanded fields F10-F11. The financial data file further can comprise a result from an image quality analysis performed on an electronic image of the check. The untruncated MICR data and the electronic check image can be used to correct errors in the financial data file and to present the check for payment via a substitute check or an electronic image cash letter. The truncated MICR data can be used to electronically process the check via conventional means.

Abstract: Approving automated clearing house (“ACH”) payments for processing by an ACH operator is based on an approved originator list identifying originators authorized by an originating depository financial institution (“ODFI”) to originate ACH payments and to send those ACH payments to the ACH operator on behalf of the ODFI. The ACH operator receives an ACH payment originated by a first originator and sent to the ACH operator on behalf of the ODFI. The ACH operator determines whether the first originator is on the approved originator list and processes the ACH payment if the first originator is on the approved originator list. The ACH operator can reject the ACH payment if the first originator is not on the approved originator list or can seek approval from the ODFI to process the ACH payment even if the first originator is not on the approved originator list.

Abstract: Producing print streams for efficiently generating properly formatted and ordered paper cash letters comprises print stream file that includes electronic form definitions for each cash letter document. The cash letter documents can include a cover page, one or more bundles of substitute checks, a bundle summary for each substitute check bundle, and/or a cash letter bundle summary. Information from an electronic image cash letter file can be input in data fields of the electronic form definitions. Printing the information in the print stream file results in a properly formatted and ordered paper cash letter including substitute checks and audit data. Each substitute check can include all of the MICR data provided on a corresponding, original paper check. The audit data includes the cover page, bundle summary(ies), and/or cash letter bundle summary, which can each detail the documents printed concurrently therewith.

Abstract: Communicating and matching electronic files for a check adjustment case comprises communicating an electronic check adjustment message comprising key data relating to the case, communicating an electronic image of a document to follow (“DTF”) related to the case, associating the key data with the electronic DTF image, determining whether the electronic message's key data matches the key data associated with the electronic DTF image, and linking the electronic message to the electronic DTF image in response to a determination that the electronic message's key data matches the key data associated with the electronic DTF image. If the DTF image's key data does not match the message's key data, matching electronic files can comprise correcting errors in the key data associated with the electronic DTF image and performing a secondary match routine. An operator accesses the electronic message and the linked DTF image to resolve the check adjustment case.

Abstract: Value tracking of automated clearing house (“ACH”) payments processed by an ACH operator includes receiving an ACH file for ACH processing. The ACH file comprises ACH payments originated by a remote sending point on behalf of a sending customer. A sum value of the ACH payments is added to a value of prior payments processed for the sending customer during a specified time period to obtain an accumulated payment value. The accumulated payment value is compared to a pre-established payment cap to determine whether the accumulated payment value exceeds the payment cap. The ACH payments are processed in response to a determination that the accumulated payment value does not exceed the payment cap. Whether to override the payment cap can be determined in response to a determination that the accumulated payment value exceeds the payment cap.