Wells Fargo is deploying this technology at its 15 check-processing centers, making it one of the largest image-based check-processing operations in the United States.

This strategic commitment follows the successful implementation of NCR's image-based technology at Wells Fargo's Tempe, Arizona operations center. Wells Fargo plans to complete its system rollout by year-end. This platform will perform validation, automatic character recognition, exception processing and balancing, lowering costs and improving production efficiency and the delivery of quality service.

"ImageMark Transaction Manager allows us to efficiently use electronic images to consolidate processing from multiple item streams into a single workflow process to eliminate disparate back-end processes. It provides us with a foundation for processing high-quality data and images. These capabilities are critical in our preparation for check-image exchange," said Kevin Mitchell, senior vice president, Wells Fargo.

ImageMark Transaction Manager's advanced image and data workflow technologies can be utilized from multiple deposit streams including branches, automated teller machines (ATMs), commercial locations and in-bound image electronic check processing (ECP) items from other banks. This system completes the processing of all check-based transactions, and readies them for the next step: archiving, image exchange and image-replacement document creation.

"We plan to capture images as close to the point of presentment as possible. ImageMark will be a significant part of our overall payment image strategy," said Kevin Dabney, executive vice president, Wells Fargo.

"Wells Fargo is aggressively positioning itself to take advantage of Check 21 and the market opportunities it creates," says Joe Kniceley, vice president of the Americas region for NCR's Payment & Imaging Solutions group. "NCR ImageMark Transaction Manager is the mission-critical workflow engine the bank is leveraging to connect multiple points of check-image capture into one back-end process. This single image-based transaction-processing platform will deliver benefits today, while positioning the bank for the future."