Why do we use so many checks?
The primary question we address in this article is why
consumers, merchants, and financial institutions are
reluctant to embrace electronic payments even though
electronic payment networks, such as the credit card
and automated clearinghouse (ACH) networks, have
existed for more than 25 years. While most Internetbased
transactions are primarily processed via credit
card networks, most noncash off-line payments by
both consumers and businesses in the United States
are made with checks.
