Norwest says it clears checks largest to smallest to reduce the chance of bouncing large important checks, such as mortgage payments. However, as the chart below shows, this drains funds from the account more quickly. The result can be a higher number of bounced checks, and more fees charged to the customer. One day last year, Annette bounced 3 of the 6 checks cleared against her account. However, as the chart below shows, she had enough money in the account to avoid bouncing two of the checks.

(The checks shown below were all processed on a single day last year. Annette asked MPR not to reveal her identity, so we have omitted the date, and changed the check numbers. The chart does not alter either the dollar amounts or their numerical sequence.)

Return to Story