RBC Royal Bank has become the first major Canadian bank to give clients direct access to digital images of paper-based transactions online, making cheque tracing as easy as a click of a mouse.

Through online digital imaging, paper-based transactions such as personal and business cheques, business deposits and personal credit line transactions are stored in an image bank (for up to 90 days) and can be called up instantly. The bank says online imaging has virtually eliminated extended waits of up to a week for tracing.

This service has been available to RBC clients through branch and telephone inquiries since October 2003 at a cost of $5 per printout. But now clients can view and print the image within their RBC Royal Bank Online Banking service at a reduced fee of $1.50 for each viewing.

“Even the possibility of a cheque gone missing or a disputed payment can leave people flustered and anxious for answers quickly,” said Carolyn Burke, RBC Royal Bank’s vice-president, payments and ecommerce, in a news release. “Now with online cheque imaging, they can get their answers safely, securely and almost immediately. And they can do it when it’s convenient to them.”