Commercial checks are carrying more weight than ever. Over the past decade, the average value of a commercial check has climbed dramatically, highlighting their ongoing role in high-dollar transactions across many industries. Even with ACH, credit cards, and instant payment options gaining traction, checks continue to serve as a reliable and trusted choice for large-dollar B2B transactions. Many businesses still value the physical exchange, established routines, and straightforward recordkeeping that checks provide.
A Decade of Growth in Check Value
Data from Javelin Strategy & Research’s Commercial Payments Factbook (as reported by PaymentsJournal) shows steady increases:
- 2015: $2,438
- 2018: $2,938
- 2021: $3,601
- 2024 (estimated): $4,533
That is an 86 percent increase in less than ten years. Businesses are writing larger checks, and those amounts continue to grow.
What This Growth Means for the Payment Landscape
The rise in check values has real implications for both merchants and the partners who serve them. Larger checks often mean larger sales, but they also carry a greater financial risk if returned unpaid. For merchants, this can impact cash flow and operational stability. It can also affect sales confidence. If a payment method feels risky, they may hesitate to close the deal.
For ISOs and resellers, the trend represents an opportunity to help merchants protect these large transactions while building trust and loyalty. Payment solutions that remove risk from high-value checks can become a decisive factor in winning new accounts.
Why This Matters
Larger check values represent greater opportunity and greater risk. In industries such as automotive, building materials, heavy equipment, and furniture, high-value checks remain a trusted payment method. For merchants, offering secure check acceptance can mean the difference between winning and losing a sale. For our ISO and reseller partners, it is a valuable talking point when positioning payment solutions to prospective clients.
How CrossCheck Supports High-Value Transactions
CrossCheck offers a full range of payment solutions that protect merchants while enabling them to close more high-value sales:
- Check Guarantee – Protection against returned checks.
- ACH Pay-by-Link – Secure, guaranteed ACH payments without the need for in-person transactions.
- Remote Deposit Capture (RDC) – Process checks from anywhere using a desktop scanner, reducing trips to the bank.
- Mobile Pay – Accept and guarantee check payments from a mobile device, giving merchants flexibility to complete transactions in the field or at the customer’s location.
- Automotive Payment Solution – A bundled program designed for dealerships and service centers to handle vehicle sales, repairs, and parts transactions with confidence.
- Multiple Check – Our most flexible option, allowing customers to split large purchases into two to four checks, deposited over a set schedule, while merchants receive guaranteed funding.
By offering these solutions, businesses can confidently accept large checks, reduce payment risk, and deliver a better customer experience.
Source: Javelin Strategy & Research, “Commercial Payments Factbook,” as cited by PaymentsJournal, July 18, 2025.