FAQs

Remote Deposit Automation

What is Remote Deposit Automation?
Remote Deposit Automation is a solution that allows you to capture, validate, and transmit your deposits from the comfort of your office. It reads the amount on each check you scan and balances the total for a deposit slip that you also scan. The images, deposit information, and MICR information are then electronically delivered to your bank over a secure Internet connection.

How does Remote Deposit Automation work?
Using a PC, scanner, and an Internet connection, daily checks received at your business can be scanned and sent electronically for deposit to Hampshire First Bank. Specifically, as checks are received and batched at your business, an operator logs in to the Remote Deposit Automation program and turns on the scanner. The operator places a deposit slip and the batch of checks into the check scanner feeder and clicks the “Capture Items” button. As the system captures the checks, it creates check images, validates image quality, determines the check amount, verifies the routing/transit number, analyzes the check data to determine possible duplication, and determines if the check is a foreign item. Following the capture of the items, the operator is prompted to key in any checks that were unable to be read. Following the item correction, the batch is then balanced by either rescanning, deleting, or inserting items, rescanning the deposit slip, or by fixing the deposit totals. Once the batch is balanced with the control totals it can be submitted electronically to the bank. Checks you transmit can be stored on your computer for a fixed period of time for research purposes.

How long does a merchant setup take?
At Hampshire First Bank, we can typically set you up within two weeks from application. Setup of the scanner and PC, as well as user setup, can occur within several minutes. Once user setup is complete, you can begin capturing checks.

What training is offered?
We provide full training at installation, as well as a user guide for future reference. Your Remote Deposit Automation contract also provides support service when you have questions.

Are the transmissions of batches secure?
All transmissions are secured using SSL encryption.

Does the application scan in front/back of each check image?
Yes. With a single pass through the scanner, the front and back of the check are image captured at the same time CAR/LAR, DREAM, IQA/IQU, Duplicate Detection, and MICR processes are completed, information is read, and routing transit numbers are validated.

Does the application perform real-time R&T check digit validation?
Yes. The application only allows valid U.S. transit routing numbers to be captured, as foreign transit routing numbers and non-valid U.S. transit routing numbers are rejected immediately by the application. For invalid numbers, users are notified that the items should be removed because they cannot be included with the deposit.

Does the application read coupons and/or associated documents?
Yes. Analysis of the merchant requirements by Hampshire First Bank would be required to validate that the coupons and/or associated documents could be read by the scanner, based on the MICR or OCR information included on the documents.

Does the application allow the user to enter any additional user-defined fields as complementary transaction information?
Yes. The system allows for user-defined fields with varying lengths at either the Deposit or Item level. This functionality will require detailed analysis for setup and configuration.

Are there different levels of user access available?
Users have access to perform different functions within the system based on the User Profile. For example, some users may be able to capture and correct items, but not actually submit the deposit to Hampshire First Bank. Capture Items, Balance Deposit, Reports, Change Account Descriptions, Research Date, and System Administration are just a few of the examples of privileges that can be granted to individual users.

Does the application read and interpret check amounts with ICR/confidence-level criteria, and prompt the user to enter check amounts for items not within specified confidence levels?
The application utilizes CAR/LAR technology to attempt to read the amounts off checks. If the amounts can not be read, the items are sent to a queue that the user is prompted to key.

Does the application generate a batch receipt by e-mail which contains all transactions within one batch of work and the associated amounts of each check?
Dependent upon the software version best suited for your needs, a batch receipt or deposit recap report will either be available via the Internet or locally on your PC and via the Internet. A notification e-mail will also be sent to you and will contain basic information about the deposit, total number of items, total amount of the deposit, and a masked account number. The specific check items are not included in the e-mail for security purposes.

What types of scanners can I use?
Several different models of scanners are made available based on your specific needs and check volume. We will assist you in making a scanner determination as part of the setup process.

What type of support is provided?
Hampshire First Bank will work with the customer to resolve hardware and software issues. Typical software issues will be resolved within the first several hours following the issue being reported, with many issues being resolved during the first contact.