how did banks clear checks and get funds from other banks before computerization?
In: 6540
Originally, that’s what a check was. Banks DIDN’T clear them ahead of time. Owning a checkbook and an account from another bank meant that the retailer, or the other bank, trusted YOUR bank enough to trust YOU to write them a check. They didn’t verify on the spot, but a day, or days, later instead, and that was done manually.
That’s why bouncing a check was such a stain on your record. When I was a kid, if you did that very much, your bank would revoke your checkbook, close your account, and tell you to pound sand.
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