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COMMENTARY

SECTION 229.30—Electronic Checks and Electronic Information
A. 229.30(a) Checks under This Subpart
1. A bank may agree to receive an electronic check or electronic returned check from another bank instead of a paper check or returned check. (See section 229.2(bbb) and commentary thereto). Section 229.30(a) does not give a bank the right to send an electronic check or electronic returned check absent an agreement to do so with the receiving bank.
2. Electronic checks and electronic returned checks are subject to subpart C of this part as if they were checks or returned checks, unless otherwise provided in subpart C. For example, section 229.31(c), which requires a paying bank to provide a notice of nonpayment if the paying bank determines not to pay a check in the amount of $5,000 or more, also applies when a paying bank determines not to pay an electronic check in the amount of $5,000 or more. A depositary bank’s obligation to pay for a returned check (section 229.33(e)) also applies with respect to an electronic returned check.
Additionally, sections 229.33(b) and 229.36(a) specify that the parties’ agreements govern the receipt of electronic returned checks and electronic written notices of nonpayment, and electronic checks, respectively. Section 229.34(a) sets forth warranties that are given only with respect to electronic checks and electronic returned checks and section 229.34(f) sets forth an indemnity given only with respect to remote deposit capture. Warranties that apply to paper checks or paper returned checks also apply to electronic checks and electronic returned checks, including section 229.34(b) (transfer and presentment warranties with respect to remotely created checks), section 229.34(c) (settlement amount, encoding, and offset warranties), section 229.34(d) (returned check warranties), and section 229.34(e) (notice of nonpayment warranties). The parties may, by agreement, vary the effect of the provisions in subpart C of this part as they apply to electronic checks and electronic returned checks, except that as set forth in section 229.37, no agreement can disclaim the responsibility of a bank for its own lack of good faith or failure to exercise ordinary care. (See section 229.37 and commentary thereto).
3. Certain provisions of subpart C relate solely to paper checks or paper returned checks, as specified, such as section 229.33(c) (acceptance of paper returned checks) and section 229.36(d) (same-day settlement).
B. 229.30(b) Writings
1. Provisions in subpart C of this part require that a paying bank or returning bank send information in writing. For example, section 229.31(f) requires that a notice in lieu be either a copy of the check or a written notice of nonpayment. A bank may send information required to be in writing in electronic form if the bank sending the information has an agreement with the bank receiving the information to do so.

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