Harland Clarke, a provider of integrated payment products, and Mitek, which provides mobile capture and identity verification software solutions, have launched a new product that is intended to improve the security of remote mobile deposit for consumers and financial institutions.

As of Jan. 17, checks printed by Harland Clarke include "Photo Safe Deposit" features that are recognized only by the advanced computer vision embedded in Mitek's mobile deposit software. These features are intended to increase the integrity and security of checks deposited through mobile devices, according to a press release.

"Harland Clarke is committed to offering products that align with the goals of our financial institution clients and their account holders' evolving needs," said Rick Ebrey, president of Harland Clarke Payment Solutions. "With Photo Safe Deposit, we support both security and mobile banking through features offered only by Harland Clarke, which fosters increased remote deposit capture adoption. Together with Mitek's expertise, we improve the mobile deposit experience, encourage best practices and enhance confidence in the mobile channel."

The companies said in the announcement that the new features require no additional steps for consumers. Checks are printed and delivered to customers with the Photo Safe Deposit icon, a camera-lock graphic, imprinted on the front. When this is recognized by a mobile device via Mitek's backend software, the checks are scanned for key features — Image Match and Mobile Mark, additional features provided by Harland Clarke.

Image Match is identical to the magnetic ink character recognition code printed on both sides of the check, according to the announcement. This duplicate data assures financial institutions that the check's front and back images are from the same document — a process that minimizes endorsement forgery and eliminates depositor errors when photographing multiple checks in a single deposit. Mobile Mark is a box for users to checkmark when a deposit is made via smartphone, reducing the risk of inadvertently redepositing the same check.