Q & A - Using Foreign Language On Checks

by Mary Beth Guard

Question: We have a local business that employs a large number of individuals who do not speak English. They speak only Spanish. We are told that the reason most of them do not have bank accounts is because they can write the amount of the check in numbers, but not in words. We were thinking maybe we could set up accounts for these individuals and either:

1. tell them to just write the part of the check that contains the amount in numbers and leave the other part blank; or
2. tell them when they write the amount in words to write it in Spanish, rather than English. What do you think?

Answer: I would not recommend either course of action. Here's why:

1. Under the Uniform Commercial Code, when writing a check, words control over numbers. Thus, if the amount written in words is left blank and someone (such as the payee) fills it out with a larger amount, the amount written in words would control and would govern what the check was properly payable for. That makes leaving it blank a giant fraud risk.





2. If the amount was written in Spanish, problems could arise because there's no way to control where the item will be deposited. While your bank might be able to process it just fine, many depository banks could not. Imagine if it were Vietnamese instead!

What you might want to think about doing is coming up with a Spanish/English guide to translating numbers to make available to these prospective customers, or sponsor some evening lessons on English that focus on learning numbers. Perhaps the foreign language department of your local high school or college would be willing to help with this project. What a great service it would be to your community!

Originally appeared in the Oklahoma Bankers Association Compliance Informer.

First published on BankersOnline.com 8/13/01