Cashier's Check: Definition, Benefits, and Alternative Options

What Is a Cashier’s Check? A cashier’s check is a secure way to make large payments. The check itself is written by a financial institution such as a bank or credit union against its own funds. When you request a cashier's check from your bank, money is moved out of your account and into the bank's account, and then a bank representative (usually a teller) signs it over to a named third party. (The check will include the names of both the recipient and remitter.) A customer who purchases a cashier’s check pays for the full face value of the check and generally also pays a small premium for the service. In some scenarios, the benefits and protections that a cashier's check offer make it a better choice than a personal check.Key TakeawaysA cashier’s check cannot bounce.Due to watermarks and required bank signatures, a cashier’s check is hard to counterfeit. However, there are certain cashier's check scams to look out for.With a cashier’s check, the funds are usually available to the paye...