Be ready for what? Yes, the FRB is marketing new services related to Check 21. However, there is a requirement that any bank/service provider who wishes to submit an image cash letter must complete a certification process. This certification is to ensure data communications is working and secure and the file meets the X9.37 DSTU format with the FRB Companion Document. Additionally, the depositary bank must understand the changes that will be reflected in the revision to Operating Circular #3, which is the agreement under which image exchange with the FRB will be governed. The certification has been stated to possibly take as long as 60 days and it is not known how many the FRB can handle simultaneously. As I previoulsy stated and Mary Beth acknowledged, there is no specific requirement come Oct 28 to begin exchanging electronically. In fact, after the FRB announces their pricing/RT list on Aug 28, banks who wish to participate in sending an image cash letter to the FRB must carefully match the mix of their items against the RT list the FRB will provide. This is to determine the cost of clearing in an image cash letter mode since it is possible that many items will have to be converted to substitute checks, therefore, potentially having a higher clearing cost. Creating IRDs or having a deposit converted to IRDs should be solely based on business case criteria not just a new way to process.