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Though the banking system has undergone many changes over the course of time, bank checks are one of the constants that have always been a staple of the system. People and companies have been using bank checks as promissory notes as far back as the ancient Roman Empire and the practice of ordering bank checks continues today.

First Bank Checks

The Persian Empire mimicked the Ancient Roman's simple form of bank checks. Nearly 400 years prior, the Romans made use of what they called praescriptiones as early as 100 BC. Although their system was simple, it was certainly the creator of what has developed now into bank checks.

The Medieval Period

Another particular variation of our contemporary bank check system was developed in Europe during the middle ages. The Knights Templar, a banking center during that time, to hold money for people traveling across Europe, used a check system. These individuals would then deposit the money at one station and simply claim it from another with the aid of a proof of claim draft. This was perhaps the earliest form of paper check that was used for the purpose of claiming funds. It is thought that Muslims used this system for several hundreds of years before the Knights began to use it.

Bills of Exchange

The foundations of the modern checking system have derived from what was once referred to as a "bill of exchange" from early bankers. By the use of this system, early banks would allow the customers to pay necessary bills through the use of bank's mandatory orders. This, of course, made distance commerce much easier, given how people were able to engage in trade practices without the requirement of having a great deal of gold or other hard currency on hand. This was, overall, a deeply necessary change, since carrying around significant amounts of coin was both burdensome and potentially disastrous for traveling merchants.

Bank checks in the United States

Bank checks made their way to the United States by the Europeans during the Colonial period. Since the Europeans had already been dependent on the system since the early 1700s, it didn't take long for the Americans to adopt the system. Of course, the bank systems continue to evolve, especially in the past century, thus more control and security exists in present time. Bank checks pose as a form of protection to the consumer.

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