The improved processing system, with faster payment processing, is providing a huge benefit to consumers and businesses, estimated to be around $2 billion a year.  All this from the passage of the CHECK 21 ACT after 9/11.  The total number of written checks is slowly dropping according to Jon Moore, Senior Vice President for Citizens National Bank in Tyler. Some businesses do not accept credit cards, due to the average 2% to 4% charge for the service, but will likely continue accepting checks till they are not available.  At the current pace, many industry analysts predict 2026 as the year targeted for paper checks to go away completely.  CONTINUED IN NEXT BLOG