The work of the receiving teller offers a logical point to begin a study of the bank's operations, for his department is the first to handle the cash and credit instruments presented by customers. In tracing the procedure of this department it is well to start with the preparation of the deposits by the customer. He counts the cash, indorses all checks, drafts, and promissory notes, and lists the various amounts on a deposit slip or ticket which acts as a record of the items offered to the receiving teller. The depositor also presents his pass book in which the receiving teller writes his entries. In addition to serving as a record of deposits, the pass book is used to settle periodically the account between customer and bank. In the interest of both parties, this settlement or reconcilement is effected quite frequently, for errors, irregularities, and at times forgeries may arise in directing the continuous flow of credit instruments. The pass book as means of reconciling accounts is now giving way to the use of the statement system, whereby the bank sends the customer his returned checks or vouchers, accompanied by a record listing all his deposits and withdrawals. The statement is usually sent every month, but this interval of time may vary from a week to three months, depending upon the activity of the account. Whether the pass book or the statement is used, the principle of reconcilement consists merely of presenting to the customer his credits with the bank as evidenced by deposits, his debits as represented by checks, and the balance or net difference between these two items. The customer's deposit is entered in three records: (1) the slip indicating his deposit, (2) the pass book acknowledging it, (3) the statement summarizing his account. Since the receiving teller must handle deposits with speed, he cannot verify each one as it is presented to him at the window, and so this task is later performed by his assistants. However, it would be impracticable to wait until closing time to compare deposits with the corresponding slips, so they are proved soon after presentation in lots of twenty-five slips or more by what is known as the "batch," or "block," system. After the deposits and the slips have been duly proved, the next step is to allocate the items among the other departments of the bank. Coin and bills are transferred to the paying teller, while checks, notes, and drafts are sorted and then distributed to the various departments which handle the collection of these items. As the city banks have many out-of-town customers, a large volume of deposits are received through the mail. These items are handled by a mail teller, who receives, proves, and sorts the deposits in about the same manner as the receiving teller. Instead of a slip, the deposits are accompanied by a memorandum known as a letter of advice.