It has processed more than 15 million checks images to date, currently averaging half a billion dollars per day, using its various digital image-capture remote deposit services.

The growing reliance on remote deposits is demonstrated by services like Wells Fargo Desktop Deposit. Since the end of 2005:

• the number of businesses using the service nearly tripled to 1,400
• the number of checks scanned grew by 500% to more than 8 million

"Wells Fargo worked closely with hundreds of customers to design a service that would make depositing checks simpler, easier and more convenient," said Stephanie Sturgis-Griffin, senior vice president of Wholesale Internet Solutions for Wells Fargo. "We're thrilled that such a great number of businesses are seeing the benefits of depositing checks without even leaving their offices."

Check 21 - the "Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act" - allowed the financial services industry to offer clients new services based on check imaging after it took effect on October 28, 2004. Wells Fargo responded by rolling out new image-based services, including:

Remote Deposit Services - Businesses enjoy faster access to their deposited funds when they make deposits electronically using check imaging services like the Desktop Deposit or Wells Fargo Electronic Deposit. Wells Fargo was the first financial services company to introduce a remote deposit service that was completely internet-based, and delivered through our best-in-class internet portal, the Commercial Electronic Office (CEO). Since it requires no software, the Desktop Deposit service installs easily, and users at all locations enjoy product upgrades instantly and simultaneously.

Image-Enabled Lockbox Services - Wells Fargo has expanded lockbox services for businesses, making accounts receivable processing faster and easier. After Check 21, with many of its wholesale lockbox sites already image-enabled, Wells Fargo could offer an expanded, nation-wide network with accelerated availability schedules by clearing checks on those images.

Envelope-Free ATMs - Wells Fargo was the first to speed up deposits by piloting Envelope-Free ATMs to convert and process deposited checks as digital images. Customers receive instant credit for cash deposits and the deposit cut-off time for check deposits has been extended from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., allowing us to give customers same day credit for deposits even after the banking store has closed.