The AFS IQA Suite inspects the front and back of each captured check image, testing for a variety of potential image quality and usability problems. All 49 tests of the AFS IQA Suite conform to or exceed industry metrics for image quality and usability. This essentially ensures that images forward presented through check image exchange networks have met the industry's most rigid check image quality assurance standards and confirms the integrity of check images prior to hand-off to a check image exchange network. Additionally, these tests secure the quality of the on-us and other non-exchangeable items to be stored in the financial institution's check image archive.

"Acceptable image quality is an expectation throughout the check imaging industry as financial institutions have begun joining image exchange networks," said Gary Nelson, president, AFS. "AFS IQA diminishes the risk of transmitting unusable check images into the payments system; therefore, diminishing their financial exposure in the process. It can prevent financial institutions from forward presenting items that are bounced back, delaying the clearing, settlement and collection process, and losing the savings achieved through electronic image exchange."

The AFS IQA Suite performs image quality tests that include partial images, missing or obstructed images, streaks, missing corners, too light to be read, carrier detection, and image to data mismatch. Image usability tests include the legibility and readability of the MICR line, endorsements, data, payee line, signature, courtesy and legal amounts, payor information, and bank name and address.

Many of the national check image exchange networks are encouraging financial institutions to integrate image quality assurance programs into its existing image-capture process.

"For check image exchange to be successful, images must be readable and verifiable at the receiving institutions," said Nelson.