To open a checking account, you must fill out and sign a signature authorization form. The signature form provides an official signature that the bank can compare to the signature you write on your checks. This is done to verify that the checks were not forged. Most banks also require that you have an initial deposit of $50 or more. Parts of a check A. Check number. Check are numbered for easy identification. B. ABA Number The American Bankers Association number appears in fraction form in the upper right corner of each check. C. Makers Pre-Printed Name and Address Most checking account owners prefer to have their name, address, and sometime telephone number preprinted on the top left of each check D. Date In this blank, fill in the date you write the check E. Payee The payee is the person or company to whom a check is made payable F. Numeric Amount The numeric amount is the amount of dollars and cents being paid, written in figures. G. Written amount The written amount shows that amount of dollars and cents being paid, written in words. H. Drawer or maker The drawer, or maker, is the person authorized to write check on the account I. Account Number The account number appears in bank coding at the bottom of each check J. Memo A memo line is provided at the bottom left of each check so that the maker can wrote the purpose of the check