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A certified check is a personal check that a bank has guaranteed. This guarantee means the bank has verified that the funds are available in the account and has set them aside for the check. This process ensures the check will not bounce due to insufficient funds.12

In banking, a check is a written order directing a bank to pay a specific amount of money on demand. Checks are a primary form of money in developed economies and can be transferred between individuals. While a certified check is guaranteed by the bank, a cashier's check is drawn directly on the bank's own funds and signed by a bank officer.23

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