acts:Jeff Messing attempted to cash a check for $976 at a Bank of America branch office.The check was made out to Messing and drawn on the Bank of America.A teller asked Messing to provide identification. Messing presented his driver's license and a major credit card but Bank of America policy required a thumbprint signature from anyone wishing to cash a check who did not have an account at the bank. When Messing declined, the teller refused to cash the check.

You Be the Judge:Was the bank's thumbprint policy permissible under the UCC?Had Messing provided reasonable identification?

Holding/Conclusion:

Question:Why didn't Messing just deposit the check in his own checking account instead of trying to cash it at a bank where he had no account?

Question:Is there anything wrong with that?

Question:Why did Messing refuse to provide a thumbprint?

Question:What is the trade-off in this case?

Question:Who should win this case?