Bureau of the Fiscal Service

Check Reclamation Procedure
II

Table of Contents

Section 1: Introduction ............................................................................................................ 4

General Information ................................................................................................................................. 4

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 4

Payments affected ................................................................................................................................ 4

Conditions............................................................................................................................................. 4

Time limitation on reclamation action ................................................................................................. 4

The presenting bank is liable for the following: ................................................................................... 4

The presenting bank should be aware that:......................................................................................... 5

Check Information ................................................................................................................................ 5

Section 2: Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation)....................................... 6

Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 6

Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation)....................................................................... 7

Purpose ................................................................................................................................................. 8

How to Respond to the Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation).................................8

Response Time:..................................................................................................................................... 8

Procedure.............................................................................................................................................. 8

Summary of Debt Statement .................................................................................................................... 9

Sample .................................................................................................................................................. 9

Purpose ................................................................................................................................................. 9

Multi-part form................................................................................................................................... 10

Column explanation............................................................................................................................ 10

Reclamation Status Codes....................................................................................................................... 12

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 12

Codes .................................................................................................................................................. 12

Section 3: Information Requests............................................................................................ 13

Overview ................................................................................................................................................. 13

How to Request a Copy of a Reclamation............................................................................................... 13

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 13

Requesting Information .......................................................................................................................... 13

Procedure............................................................................................................................................ 13

Section 4: Protests................................................................................................................. 15

Overview ................................................................................................................................................. 15

General Information ............................................................................................................................... 15

Unacceptable Protests........................................................................................................................ 15

How to Protest a Check Reclamation...................................................................................................... 16
Table of Contents continued Gold Book

III

Procedure............................................................................................................................................ 16

How To Notify Fiscal Service That Reclamation Notice Is Not Your Item...........................................17

Fiscal Service Response....................................................................................................................... 17

Section 5: Overpayments....................................................................................................... 18

Procedure................................................................................................................................................ 18

Returning Funds.................................................................................................................................. 18

Section 6: Offsets,.................................................................................................................. 19

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 19

Example................................................................................................................................................... 19

Reclamation amount........................................................................................................................... 19

Federal Entity Payment/reimbursement............................................................................................ 19

Offset action ....................................................................................................................................... 19

Making a Payment .............................................................................................................................. 20

Offsets in error.................................................................................................................................... 20

Section 7: Legal Basis............................................................................................................. 21

31 U.S.C. 3712..................................................................................................................................... 21

31 U.S.C. 3711-3720E.......................................................................................................................... 21

31 CFR 240 .......................................................................................................................................... 21

Limited Payability................................................................................................................................ 21

Section 8: Contacts................................................................................................................ 23

Contact List.............................................................................................................................................. 23

Section 9: Glossary ................................................................................................................ 24
Gold Book 1. Introduction

4

Section 1: Introduction

General Information

Introduction

Check reclamation is a recovery procedure used by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service 

(Fiscal Service) to obtain refunds (reclamations) from a presenting bank for paid 

U.S. Treasury checks.

Payments affected

All U.S. Treasury checks, regardless of the payment type, are subject to check 

reclamation procedures.

Conditions

Reclamation actions may be initiated against the presenting bank when the...

• Check was presented for payment over a forged or unauthorized 

endorsement, 

• When a benefit check was negotiated after the payee’s death, or

• When the check was materially altered

Time limitation on reclamation action

The table below shows how long Fiscal Service has to reclaim funds from the 

presenting bank.

If the payee is: Then the Bureau of the Fiscal Service has:

Deceased One year from the date the check was presented for payment.

Not deceased One year and 180 calendar days from the date the check was 

presented for payment, providing the payee filed a timely claim.

The presenting bank is liable for the following:

• The principal amount of the check; and if applicable, accrued interest, 

penalties, and administrative fees.
1. Introduction Gold Book

5

The presenting bank should be aware that:

• Their liability is not contingent upon its ability to collect from prior endorsers,

• It's their responsibility to pay reclamations timely in order to avoid the direct 

debit process that will occur on the 31st calendar day if the reclamation has 

not been paid or protested, and

• Fiscal Service will only accept reclamation protests from presenting banks 

and not their customers or other correspondents.

Check Information

Check Description:

Where information is located

MICR Line:

Magnetic Ink Character Recognition Line

1. Issue Date

2. Payee Name

3. Disbursing Office Location 

(Optional)

4. Issue Type

5. Check Symbol

6. Check Serial Number

7. Issue Amount

A. Check Symbol

B. Check Digit

C. Routing Number Unique to U. S. Treasury checks

D. Check Serial Number

E. Check Digit

F. Federal Entity Code

G. Issue Date (MM/YY)

H. Paid Amount, if the financial institution encodes the 

amount

View security features of the Treasury Check. 

Note: Special messages may be included on the face of treasury checks, for specific 

payment types. These messages are for informational purposes only. 
6

Gold Book 2. Notice of Direct Debit

Section 2: Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury 

Check Reclamation)

Introduction

All check reclamations are sent to the presenting bank via a Notice of Direct Debit 

(U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation). This notice will advise the presenting bank of 

the amount demanded and the reason for the demand; it will also contain 

instructions for processing the Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check 

Reclamation).

The presenting bank will receive:

• An initial Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation), and as 

necessary

• A Summary of Debt Statement.

The Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation), the Summary of Debt 

Statement and other related check reclamation reports are generated by the 

Bureau of the Fiscal Service (Fiscal Service) and transmitted through FRB FedMail to 

the presenting bank.

This section consists of the following topics:

• The Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation),

• How to Respond to the Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check 

Reclamation),

• Summary of Debt Statement, and

• Reclamation Status Codes.
7

2. Notice of Direct Debit Gold Book

Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check 

Reclamation)

Below is a sample of the Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation):
8

Gold Book 2. Notice of Direct Debit

Purpose

The Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation) is the initial notice 

sent to the presenting bank advising it of the amount requested and reason for the 

reclamation action. A copy of the payee's claim, if applicable, will be included with 

the Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation). 

Note: If Fiscal Service furnishes a sequence number and deposit date, then a check image will 

not be provided.

How to Respond to the Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. 

Treasury Check Reclamation)

Response Time:

Presenting banks have 30 calendar days from the date of the Notice of Direct Debit 

(U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation) to make full payment or submit a protest to 

Fiscal Service to avoid the direct debit on their Federal Reserve master account.

Fiscal Service will automatically process the Direct Debit on the 31st day if no 

protest has been entered.

Procedure

The table below shows how the presenting bank should respond to a Notice of 

Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation).

Step Action

1 • Verify all information on the Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check 

Reclamation).

• If there is any erroneous information, then the presenting bank may protest 

the reclamation action. Protests.

2 • Unless filing a protest, authorize the Fiscal Service to debit the presenting 

bank’s Federal Reserve master account for the total amount due. (This is the 

preferred method for paying the check reclamation.)

• Include interest, penalty and administrative fees that appear on the Summary 

of Debt Statement for that reclamation item, as applicable.

3 • Authorizations can be sent to the Fiscal Service by Fax to: 215-516-8201 , or 

E-mail at: NPRCReclamation@fiscal.treasury.gov

4 • A copy of the Notice of Direct Debit should be retained in the presenting 

bank’s files.
9

2. Notice of Direct Debit Gold Book

Summary of Debt Statement

Sample

Purpose

The Summary of Debt Statement is a follow-up notice sent to the presenting bank

on a monthly basis. It includes the following for each outstanding reclamation listed 

on a Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation) previously sent to 

that bank:

• Identifying check information,

• Reclamation information,

• Additional charges associated with the reclamation (interest, penalties, and 

administrative fees), when applicable, and

• Status of reclamation.
10

Gold Book 2. Notice of Direct Debit

Multi-part form

The Summary of Debt Statement consists of the following parts:

• Listing of outstanding reclamation(s) and associated information,

• An explanation of authorities and Fiscal Service processes regarding 

reclamations, protests, and collections, and

• Explanation of columns on the Summary of Debt Statement.

Column explanation

The table below describes the type of information included in each column on the 

Summary of Debt Statement.

Ref. No. Column Explanation

1-2 Check 

Sym/Serial

Check Symbol number and Check Serial number 

appearing on the check for which there is a reclamation 

action.

3 Payee Name Name of the person to whom the check was issued for 

which there is a reclamation action.

4 Reclamation 

Date

Date shown on the Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury 

Check Reclamation).

5 Reclamation 

Status Code 

Headed with the designation of "S" on the Summary of 

Debt Statement

Current status of the reclamation by code. (Refer to 

Reclamation Status Codes.)

6 Reclamation 

Number

Request number which appears on the Notice of Direct 

Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation).
11

2. Notice of Direct Debit Gold Book

Ref. No. Column Explanation

7 Reclamation 

Principal

Reclamation amount due which appears on the Notice 

of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation).

8 Interest 

Rate

Interest rate being charged on the item, if applicable,

because it has remained unpaid for over 60 calendar 

days. 

Note: If applicable, the rate of interest assessed is the rate of the 

current value of funds of the U.S. Treasury. Although the interest rate 

varies, the initial rate charged on reclamation is the rate that remains 

until it is paid.

9 Interest Due Amount of interest due per item as of the current 

Summary of Debt Statement.

10 Penalty Due Penalty charges due per item as of the current 

Summary of Debt Statement. 

Note: Penalty amounts are calculated pursuant to 31 USC § 3717, if 

applicable.

11 Admin Fee 

Due

Administrative fee due per item as of the current 

Summary of Debt Statement, if applicable. The amount 

is based on the cost to the U.S. Federal Government for 

the collection of delinquent items.

12 Total 

Amount 

Due

Total of the:

• Reclamation principal,

• Accrued interest due,

• Penalty due, and

• Administrative fee due as of the current 

Summary of Debt Statement
12

Gold Book 2. Notice of Direct Debit

Reclamation Status Codes

Introduction

Items appearing on the Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation) 

that have been protested may be annotated by the letter B in the Reclamation 

Status column on the Summary of Debt Statement.

Codes

The list below shows the reclamation status codes and what each code means 

when it is used on the Summary of Debt Statement.

CODE A IDENTIFIES items at least 90 calendar days old

• Items will become eligible for an Administrative Offset, also known as an 

Offset, at 120 calendar days if payment is not received by Fiscal Service prior 

to the 25th calendar day of the month in which the Summary of Debt 

statement is received.

CODE B IDENTIFIES items for which a protest is being considered. 

• This code will remain on the statement until the protest is resolved. Pending 

written notification from Fiscal Service responding to your financial 

institution's request, collection efforts, including offset, will be held in 

suspension. 

CODE C IDENTIFIES a Reclamation and/or accrued interest, penalty charges, and 

administrative fees that have remained unpaid for at least 120 days after the 

reclamation date.

• Fiscal Service has referred or will refer the debt to the Treasury Offset 

Program (TOP) and/or to another Federal entity for offset of Federal 

payments payable to your financial institution to collect the debt owed. If the 

debt is not collected through an administrative offset, Fiscal Service will 

initiate Treasury Check Offset (TCO), whereby Fiscal Service directs the 

Federal Reserve Bank to offset credits for Treasury checks presented for 

payment by your financial institution. The offset credits will be applied to the 

debt owed by your financial institution. 
13

3. Information Requests Gold Book

Section 3: Information Requests

Overview

This section consists of the following topics:

• How to Request a copy of a Reclamation, and

• Requesting Other Types of Information.

How to Request a Copy of a Reclamation

Introduction

Fiscal Service will provide the financial institutions with the following:

• A copy of the original Notice of Direct Debit (Duplicate), and

• A copy of the claim; if applicable.

Requesting Information

Procedure

The table below shows how to request:

• A claim copy,

• A copy of a Notice of Direct Debit, or

• Other types of information from the Fiscal Service.

STEP ACTION

1 • Send an e-mail to the Fiscal Service address:

NPRCReclamation@fiscal.treasury.gov stating specifically what 

information is needed. 

• The e-mail must reference the check symbol and check serial number 

so the check can be identified in the Fiscal Service system.

Note: If Fiscal Service furnishes a sequence number and deposit date, then a check 

image will not be provided.
14

Gold Book 3. Information Requests

STEP ACTION

2 • Retain a copy of the Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check 

Reclamation).

Note: The instructions and the form for updating a financial institution's e-mail 

address for check reclamations are located at:

https://www.frbservices.org/assets/forms/fedline/fedmailservicechangeform-rv.pdf.
15

4. Protests Gold Book

Section 4: Protests

Overview

This section consists of the following topics:

• General Information, and

• How to Protest a Check Reclamation.

General Information

A protest is a request that the Bureau of the Fiscal Service (Fiscal Service) review its 

decision regarding the presenting bank’s liability for a check reclamation.

It raises a valid legal or factual question and includes:

• A written statement, and

• Supporting documentation which proves that the presenting bank is not 

liable for the reclamation.

Presenting banks have 30 days from the date of the Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. 

Treasury Check Reclamation) to pay the full amount of the reclamation before their 

Federal Reserve master account is automatically debited. However, if the 

presenting bank protests within 30 days from the date of the Notice of Direct Debit 

(U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation), the direct debit will not occur. If a presenting 

bank enters a protest after the direct debit has occurred, and the protest is 

substantiated, Fiscal Service will refund the presenting bank the amount of the 

reclamation.

Note: Unpaid Reclamations which are under protest are identified by a code B in the 

Reclamation Status column on the Summary of Debt Statement.

Unacceptable Protests

Listed below are examples of unacceptable protests.

• Protests that are received after 60 calendar days from the reclamation date,

• Protests that include no or insufficient documentation to substantiate the 

protest,

• Protests that attempt to transfer liability from the presenting bank to the 

presenting bank’s prior endorser, and

• Protests from any other entity than the presenting bank to which the 

reclamation was directed.
16

Gold Book 4. Protests

How to Protest a Check Reclamation

Procedure

The table below describes the process to protest a check reclamation.

STEP ACTION

1 Write a letter to the Fiscal Service requesting a review of its decision regarding the 

financial institution's liability for the check reclamation.

The protest must be on your financial institutions letterhead, and include the 

check symbol and the check serial number so that the record can be identified in 

the Fiscal Service system.

2 Attach documentation to support the protest.

Documentation may include, but is not limited to:

• Signed statements from payees or other individuals,

• Signature cards reflecting opening and closing dates for relevant accounts,

• Deposit slips,

• Account statements,

• Evidence regarding the death of the payee,

• Proof that the payee benefited from the check proceeds,

• Power of Attorney,

• Release of claim signed by the payee, and

• Evidence that the deceased payee's estate reimbursed the federal entity 

for the full amount of the check.

If documentation is not provided, the letter of protest will be returned without 

consideration.

3 Retain a copy of the Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation) 

while the reclamation protest is being considered.

4 Mail protest to:

Or Fax it to:

215-516-8201

Or email it to:

NPRCReclamation@fiscal.treasury.gov

Department of the Treasury

Bureau of the Fiscal Service

Check Resolution Division 

P.O. Box 51318

Philadelphia, PA 19115-6318
17

4. Protests Gold Book

How To Notify Fiscal Service That Reclamation Notice Is Not Your 

Item

Send an e-mail to: NPRCReclamation@fiscal.treasury.gov informing Fiscal Service 

that your bank did not present the check for payment.

Fiscal Service Response

Fiscal Service will send a letter to the appropriate financial institution providing 

status or the outcome of the protest within 60 calendar days of receiving the 

protest.

Fiscal Service responses may include:

If the protest was substantiated and the reclamation was paid, then the 

accumulated credit will be returned to the financial institution.

If the protest was substantiated and the reclamation was not paid, then the 

reclamation will be abandoned, and a disregard notice will be sent to the financial 

institution.

If the protest was not substantiated and the reclamation was paid, then a denial 

letter will be sent to the financial institution and the case will be closed.

If the protest was not substantiated and the reclamation was not paid, a denial 

letter will be sent to the financial institution. The financial institution will remain 

liable for the reclamation principal and any interest, penalty, and administrative 

fees assessed. The amount owed will be debited from the financial institutions 

Master Account five calendar days after the bank protest is denied. 
18

Gold Book 5. Overpayments

Section 5: Overpayments

Procedure

The table below shows what to do if the financial institution overpaid the Notice of 

Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation).

STEP ACTION

1 • Write a letter to the Fiscal Service stating that the Notice of Direct Debit 

(U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation) was overpaid.

• The letter must include the reclamation ticket number, the check symbol 

and the check serial number so the check can be identified in the Fiscal 

Service system.

• This information can be obtained from the financial institution's file copy 

of the Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation).

2 • Attach a copy of the documentation as proof of duplicate payment.

3 • Mail, Email or fax letter to:

Department of the Treasury

Bureau of the Fiscal Service

Check Resolution Division

P.O. Box 51318

Philadelphia, PA 19115-6318

Fax: 215-516-8201

Email: NPRCReclamation@fiscal.treasury.gov

Returning Funds

After researching and verifying the request, Fiscal Service will promptly refund the 

amount of the overpayment. Treasury may refund the amount either by applying 

the amount to another reclamation debt in accordance with applicable law, or by 

returning the amount to the financial institution.
19

6. Offsets Gold Book

Section 6: Offsets, 

Introduction

If a reclamation debt remains unpaid for 120 calendar days after the reclamation 

date, and a protest has not been filed, Treasury will refer the reclamation debt, if

eligible, to Treasury's centralized Treasury Offset Program (TOP) or another Federal 

entity for offset in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3716. 

Offset is a collection method in which the U.S. federal government withholds funds 

payable by the U.S. federal government to the financial institution, and applies the 

withheld funds to a debt owed. Fiscal Service may initiate an offset to collect a 

reclamation debt by referring the debt to the Treasury Offset Program (TOP).

Example

Reclamation amount

The presenting bank owes $400.00 for a reclamation item that is over 120 calendar 

days old.

Federal Entity Payment/reimbursement

The presenting bank is currently receiving a $2,000.00 Tax Refund from the Internal 

Revenue Service (IRS.)

Offset action

Fiscal Service requests that the Treasury Offset Program (TOP) offset the 

reclamation amount from the presenting bank’s tax refund.

Treasury Offset Program (TOP) will divert $400.00 of the tax refund reimbursement 

to Fiscal Service and send $1,600.00 to the presenting bank, along with a notice 

explaining the offset action.
20

Gold Book 6. Offsets

Description Calculation

IRS Tax Refund to the presenting bank. $2000.00

Reclamation amount referred by Fiscal Service to TOP for offset 

action.

$400.00

Amount presenting bank will receive after offset action. $1600.00

OFFSET: Amount TOP will divert to Fiscal Service to settle the 

reclamation item.

$400.00

Making a Payment

If a presenting bank chooses to pay a reclamation which was referred for offset, 

then they should call Fiscal Service as soon as possible to avoid the possibility of a 

duplicate payment.

Please have the check symbol and check serial number available so that the

check can be identified in the Fiscal Service system.

Refer to Contacts for the telephone number.

Offsets in error

Below shows what happens if an offset is executed in error.

• IF a reclamation is collected by an offset AND it is later determined that the 

presenting bank ...

-paid the reclamation or,

-filed a timely protest and is not liable for the amount of the reclamation 

o THEN Fiscal Service will promptly refund the amount of the offset to 

the presenting bank , if appropriate.
21

7. Legal Basis Gold Book

Section 7: Legal Basis

Introduction: This section cites the laws and regulations governing the check 

reclamation process.

31 U.S.C. 3712

• Establishes Fiscal Service's right to demand a refund from a presenting bank 

when, after the check is paid, forgery is established or the payee's 

entitlement stopped with his/her death.

• Establishes Treasury Check Offset.

31 U.S.C. 3711-3720E

• Establishes the government's right to collect debts using various collection 

tools, including offset.

• Establishes the rates at which a federal entity assesses interest, penalties, 

and administrative fees on delinquent debts.

31 CFR 240

• Establishes the process by which Fiscal Service will directly debit a presenting 

bank’s federal reserve master account for the full amount of the reclamation 

if not paid or protested by the 30th calendar day from the reclamation date.

• Establishes the process by which Fiscal Service will add interest, penalties 

and administrative fees to delinquent reclamation debts, if applicable.

• Establishes the process by which Fiscal Service will refer reclamation debts 

for collection by offset.

• Establishes that Fiscal Service will take such action as may be necessary to 

collect delinquent reclamation debts.

Limited Payability

The Competitive Equality Banking Act of 1987 (Public Law 100-86), referred to as 

Limited Payability, significantly reduced the time period for...

• Negotiating U.S. Treasury checks to one year from the check issue date.

• Filing non-receipt claims to one year from the check issue date.

• Initiating a reclamation action against the presenting bank to one and a half 

years from the date the check is paid.
22

Gold Book 7. Legal Basis

Exception: In cases of deceased payees, reclamation action must begin within 

one year from the date the check is paid.
23

8. Contacts Gold Book

Section 8: Contacts

Contact List

For assistance regarding a specific check reclamation write to:

Department of the Treasury

Bureau of the Fiscal Service

Check Resolution Division

P.O. Box 51318

Philadelphia, PA 19115-6318

• Phone: 1-855-868-0151 option #1, option #1

• Fax: 215-516-8201

Authorizations for a check reclamation payment should only be made directly to 

the Department of Treasury, Bureau of the Fiscal Service.

• E-mail: NPRCReclamation@fiscal.treasury.gov

• Fax: 215-516-8201

For information about the Treasury Offset Program, visit 

www.fiscal.treasury.gov/top/ .
24

Gold Book 9. Glossary

Section 9: Glossary

Abandonment

An abandonment is a process used by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service (Fiscal 

Service) to terminate the check reclamation because the financial institution's 

liability for the reclamation was deemed inappropriate.

Administrative Offset

As defined in Title 31 CFR part 240, an administrative offset, also referred to 

in this document as offset, is the withholding of funds payable by the United 

States (including funds payable by the United States on behalf of a State 

government) to, or held by the United States for, a person to satisfy a claim 

or debt.

Check Reclamation

A check reclamation is a demand to a financial institution for a refund of the 

amount of an improperly negotiated or unauthorized U.S. Department of the 

Treasury (Treasury) check payment.

Direct Debit

A direct debit is a process that debits the financial institution's Federal 

Reserve master account for the full amount of the reclamation on the 31st 

calendar day provided the financial institution has not submitted a protest 

and has not paid the reclamation by an authorization before the 30th 

calendar day from the reclamation date.

Federal Entity

A federal entity is any department, agency, independent establishment, 

board, office, commission, or other establishment in the executive, 

legislative, or judicial branch of the federal government; any wholly owned or 

controlled government corporation; and the municipal government of the 

District of Columbia. “Agency”, “Federal Agency”, “department”, “federal 

entity”, and “reporting entity” are used interchangeably unless otherwise 

noted.

Federal Reserve Bank

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of 12 Districts, each 

served by a Federal Reserve Bank, serves as the nation’s central bank. 

Federal Reserve Banks serve as the federal government’s fiscal agents. The 

national system of Federal Reserve Banks processes electronic payments 

(e.g., Fedwire transfers and ACH) and checks, handles federal government 
25

9. Glossary Gold Book

deposits and various support functions, and supervises and regulates 

federally chartered financial institutions.

FedMail

The Fedmail is an application that receives large files for distribution via email, Connect:Direct (C:D), or fax to financial institutions depending on how 

the financial institution prefers to receive the information.

Financial Institution

A financial institution (FI) includes but is not limited to any commercial bank, 

savings bank, credit union, savings and loan association, state bank, or 

national bank created under federal or state law authorized to accept 

Treasury General Account (TGA) deposits, as well as deposits from other 

federal collection programs.

Master Account

A Master Account is the record of financial rights and obligations of an 

account holder and the Federal Reserve Bank with respect to each other, 

where opening, intraday, and closing balances are determined.

Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation)

A Notice of Direct Debit (U.S. Treasury Check Reclamation) is an initial notice 

sent to the presenting bank advising it of the amount due and the reason for 

the reclamation.

Presenting Bank 

As defined in Title 31 CFR part 240, a presenting bank which, either directly or 

through a corresponding banking relationship, is the financial institution that 

presents checks to a Federal Reserve Bank and receives provisional credit 

from the Federal Reserve for the check payment; 

Or

A depositary which is authorized to charge checks directly to Treasury's 

General Account and present them to the Department of the Treasury for 

payment through a designated Federal Reserve Bank.

Protest

A protest is a written statement to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service requesting 

a review of its decision that the financial institution is liable for a check 

reclamation. It raises a valid legal or factual question and includes any 

supporting documentation which proves the financial institution is not liable.
26

Gold Book 9. Glossary

Reclamation

As defined in Title 31 CFR part 240, a reclamation is a demand for the 

amount of a check for which Treasury has requested an immediate refund.

Reclamation Date

As defined in Title 31 CFR part 240, the reclamation date is the date on which 

a reclamation is issued by Treasury. Normally, demands are sent to

presenting banks or other endorsers within two business days of the 

reclamation date.

Summary of Debt Statement

A Summary of Debt Statement is a follow-up statement sent to the 

presenting bank consisting of a detailed listing of outstanding reclamation 

debts and associated information, the applicable Fiscal Service collection 

regulations, and an explanation of the columns on the Summary of Debt 

Statement.