Checkbook.
Each time a new bank customer opens a new checking account, they are usually given a small number of generic checks, commonly known as starter checks. These checks rarely contain the customer’s personal information, but will contain all current account routing information necessary for processing. The new account owner may need to fill in the normally printed areas with their personal address, phone number, driver’s license number, and other identifiers.
The bank considers the initial checks to be negotiable instruments, not unlike the personalized paper checks that customers request later. But many recipients may be wary of accepting them as payment, especially if the check number is below a certain amount, usually 300. Since a checking account may be very new and the customer may not have started normal banking practices, there is the risk that the check presented may be bounced due to insufficient funds. Some merchants have specific policies not to accept these checks from unknown customers.
This reluctance to accept certain initial checks does not mean that the new account holder is out of luck. Many people use them primarily for regular payments like utility bills, rent, and loans. Businesses that receive a significant number of checks on a regular basis are less concerned about bounced checks of this type due to insufficient funds.
Once the supply is depleted, the customer can order personalized checks containing all essential routing and personal contact information. Some initial checks do not even have pre-printed check numbers, so the user must take special care to write and record them in order. New checks printed must have sequential check numbers, but there may be a gap between the number of the last initial check and the first check printed.
Initial checks can still have that “new car smell” for checking account holders, but it’s usually best to just pay overdue bills and wait a few weeks for a new pack of paper checks to arrive before paying for other things by check.