Trump Orders Treasury to End Paper Checks, Centralize Payments by September 30

President Trump signed an executive order on March 25 directing the Treasury Department to transition to electronic payments and cease issuing paper checks by September 30. The order aims to reduce fraud and waste, citing that paper checks are 14 times more susceptible to fraud than electronic transfers. The cost of maintaining the paper-based system reached $657 million in fiscal year 2024. Exceptions will be made for individuals lacking access to banking services or in emergency situations. All departments will adopt methods like direct deposit and digital wallets. A second order centralizes government payments within the Treasury, eliminating non-Treasury disbursing offices. In fiscal year 2024, these offices issued $1.5 trillion in payments, 20% of federal outlays. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and OMB Director Russell Vought will oversee the consolidation, with assessments of agency disbursing authority due within 30 days.