Banks charge fees for "bounced" checksthat is, checks that exceed the balance in the account. It has been estimated that processing bounced checks costs a bank roughly $1.50 per check. Thus, the profit margin on bounced checks is very high. Recognizing this, some banks have started to process checks from largest to smallest. By doing this, they maximize the number of checks that bounce if a customer overdraws an account. For example, NationsBank (now Bank of America) projected a $14 million increase in fee revenue as a result of processing largest checks first. In response to criticism, banks have responded that their customers prefer to have large checks processed first, because those tend to be the most important. At the other extreme, some banks will cover their customers' bounced checks, effectively extending them an interest-free loan while their account is overdrawn. Instructions Answer each of the following questions. 1. Do you think that processing checks from largest to smallest is an ethical business practice? 2. In addition to ethical issues, what other issues must a bank consider in deciding whether to process checks from largest to smallest? 3. If you were managing a bank, what policy would you adopt on bounced checks