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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>77332</law_id><section_number>8.3A-103</section_number><catch_line>Definitions</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>8.4-104</reference><reference>8.9A-102</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="8.3A">Commercial Code &#x2014; Negotiable Instruments</unit><unit label="part" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="1">General Provisions and Definitions</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="a"><p><span class="prefix-number">a.</span> In this title: <a id="paragraph-277357" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.3A-103/#a"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="a1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Acceptor</span>&#x201D; means a <span class="dictionary">drawee</span> who has accepted a draft. <a id="paragraph-277358" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.3A-103/#a1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="a2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Drawee</span>&#x201D; means a person ordered in a draft to make payment. <a id="paragraph-277359" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.3A-103/#a2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="a3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Drawer</span>&#x201D; means a person who signs or is identified in a draft as a person ordering payment. <a id="paragraph-277360" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.3A-103/#a3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="a4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Good faith</span>&#x201D; means honesty in <span class="dictionary">fact</span> and the observance of reasonable commercial standards of fair dealing. <a id="paragraph-277361" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.3A-103/#a4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="a5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Maker</span>&#x201D; means a person who signs or is identified in a note as a person undertaking to pay. <a id="paragraph-277362" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.3A-103/#a5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="a6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Order</span>&#x201D; means a written instruction to pay money signed by the person giving the instruction. The instruction may be addressed to any person, including the person giving the instruction, or to one or more persons jointly or in the alternative but not in succession. An authorization to pay is not an <span class="dictionary">order</span> unless the person authorized to pay is also instructed to pay. <a id="paragraph-277363" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.3A-103/#a6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="a7" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Ordinary care</span>&#x201D; in the case of a person engaged in business means observance of reasonable commercial standards, prevailing in the area in which the person is located, with respect to the business in which the person is engaged. In the case of a bank that takes an instrument for processing for collection or payment by automated means, reasonable commercial standards do not require the bank to examine the instrument if the failure to examine does not violate the bank&#x2019;s prescribed procedures and the bank&#x2019;s procedures do not vary unreasonably from general banking usage not disapproved by this title or Title 8.4. <a id="paragraph-277364" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.3A-103/#a7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="a8" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Party</span>&#x201D; means a <span class="dictionary">party</span> to an instrument. <a id="paragraph-277365" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.3A-103/#a8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="a9" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Promise</span>&#x201D; means a written undertaking to pay money signed by the person undertaking to pay. An acknowledgment of an obligation by the obligor is not a <span class="dictionary">promise</span> unless the obligor also undertakes to pay the obligation. <a id="paragraph-277366" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.3A-103/#a9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="a10" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">10.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Prove</span>&#x201D; with respect to a <span class="dictionary">fact</span> means to meet the burden of establishing the <span class="dictionary">fact</span> (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="General definitions" href="/8.1A-201/">8.1A-201</a>(b)(8)). <a id="paragraph-277367" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.3A-103/#a10"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="a11" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">11.</span> &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Remitter</span>&#x201D; means a person who purchases an instrument from its issuer if the instrument is payable to an identified person other than the purchaser. <a id="paragraph-277368" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.3A-103/#a11"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="b"><p><span class="prefix-number">b.</span> Other definitions applying to this title and the sections in which they appear are:
			&#x201C;Acceptance,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Acceptance of draft; certified check" href="/8.3A-409/">8.3A-409</a>.
			&#x201C;Accommodated <span class="dictionary">party</span>,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Instruments signed for accommodation" href="/8.3A-419/">8.3A-419</a>.
			&#x201C;Accommodation <span class="dictionary">party</span>,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Instruments signed for accommodation" href="/8.3A-419/">8.3A-419</a>.
			&#x201C;Alteration,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Alteration" href="/8.3A-407/">8.3A-407</a>.
			&#x201C;Anomalous endorsement,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Special endorsement; blank endorsement; anomalous endorsement" href="/8.3A-205/">8.3A-205</a>.
			&#x201C;Blank endorsement,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Special endorsement; blank endorsement; anomalous endorsement" href="/8.3A-205/">8.3A-205</a>.
			&#x201C;Cashier&#x2019;s check,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Negotiable instrument" href="/8.3A-104/">8.3A-104</a>.
			&#x201C;Certificate of deposit,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Negotiable instrument" href="/8.3A-104/">8.3A-104</a>.
			&#x201C;Certified check,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Acceptance of draft; certified check" href="/8.3A-409/">8.3A-409</a>.
			&#x201C;Check,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Negotiable instrument" href="/8.3A-104/">8.3A-104</a>.
			&#x201C;Consideration,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Value and consideration" href="/8.3A-303/">8.3A-303</a>.
			&#x201C;Draft,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Negotiable instrument" href="/8.3A-104/">8.3A-104</a>.
			&#x201C;Holder in due course,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Holder in due course" href="/8.3A-302/">8.3A-302</a>.
			&#x201C;Incomplete instrument,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Incomplete instrument" href="/8.3A-115/">8.3A-115</a>.
			&#x201C;Endorsement,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Endorsement" href="/8.3A-204/">8.3A-204</a>.
			&#x201C;Endorser,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Endorsement" href="/8.3A-204/">8.3A-204</a>.
			&#x201C;Instrument,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Negotiable instrument" href="/8.3A-104/">8.3A-104</a>.
			&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Issue</span>,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Issue of instrument" href="/8.3A-105/">8.3A-105</a>.
			&#x201C;Issuer,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Issue of instrument" href="/8.3A-105/">8.3A-105</a>.
			&#x201C;Negotiable instrument,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Negotiable instrument" href="/8.3A-104/">8.3A-104</a>.
			&#x201C;Negotiation,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Negotiation" href="/8.3A-201/">8.3A-201</a>.
			&#x201C;Note,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Negotiable instrument" href="/8.3A-104/">8.3A-104</a>.
			&#x201C;Payable at a definite time,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Payable on demand or at definite time" href="/8.3A-108/">8.3A-108</a>.
			&#x201C;Payable on demand,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Payable on demand or at definite time" href="/8.3A-108/">8.3A-108</a>.
			&#x201C;Payable to bearer,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Payable to bearer or to order" href="/8.3A-109/">8.3A-109</a>.
			&#x201C;Payable to <span class="dictionary">order</span>,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Payable to bearer or to order" href="/8.3A-109/">8.3A-109</a>.
			&#x201C;Payment,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Payment" href="/8.3A-602/">8.3A-602</a>.
			&#x201C;Person entitled to enforce,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Person entitled to enforce instrument" href="/8.3A-301/">8.3A-301</a>.
			&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Presentment</span>,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Presentment" href="/8.3A-501/">8.3A-501</a>.
			&#x201C;Reacquisition,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Reacquisition" href="/8.3A-207/">8.3A-207</a>.
			&#x201C;Special endorsement,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Special endorsement; blank endorsement; anomalous endorsement" href="/8.3A-205/">8.3A-205</a>.
			&#x201C;Teller&#x2019;s check,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Negotiable instrument" href="/8.3A-104/">8.3A-104</a>.
			&#x201C;Transfer of instrument,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Transfer of instrument; rights acquired by transfer" href="/8.3A-203/">8.3A-203</a>.
			&#x201C;Traveler&#x2019;s check,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Negotiable instrument" href="/8.3A-104/">8.3A-104</a>.
			&#x201C;Value,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Value and consideration" href="/8.3A-303/">8.3A-303</a>. <a id="paragraph-277369" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.3A-103/#b"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="c"><p><span class="prefix-number">c.</span> The following definitions in other titles apply to this title:
			&#x201C;Bank,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="&quot;Bank&quot;; &quot;depositary bank&quot;; &quot;intermediary bank&quot;; &quot;collecting bank&quot;; &quot;payor bank&quot;; &quot;presenting bank.&quot;" href="/8.4-105/">8.4-105</a>.
			&#x201C;Banking day,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions and index of definitions" href="/8.4-104/">8.4-104</a>.
			&#x201C;Clearing house,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions and index of definitions" href="/8.4-104/">8.4-104</a>.
			&#x201C;Collecting bank,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="&quot;Bank&quot;; &quot;depositary bank&quot;; &quot;intermediary bank&quot;; &quot;collecting bank&quot;; &quot;payor bank&quot;; &quot;presenting bank.&quot;" href="/8.4-105/">8.4-105</a>.
			&#x201C;Depositary bank,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="&quot;Bank&quot;; &quot;depositary bank&quot;; &quot;intermediary bank&quot;; &quot;collecting bank&quot;; &quot;payor bank&quot;; &quot;presenting bank.&quot;" href="/8.4-105/">8.4-105</a>.
			&#x201C;Documentary draft,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions and index of definitions" href="/8.4-104/">8.4-104</a>.
			&#x201C;Intermediary bank,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="&quot;Bank&quot;; &quot;depositary bank&quot;; &quot;intermediary bank&quot;; &quot;collecting bank&quot;; &quot;payor bank&quot;; &quot;presenting bank.&quot;" href="/8.4-105/">8.4-105</a>.
			&#x201C;Item,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions and index of definitions" href="/8.4-104/">8.4-104</a>.
			&#x201C;Payor bank,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="&quot;Bank&quot;; &quot;depositary bank&quot;; &quot;intermediary bank&quot;; &quot;collecting bank&quot;; &quot;payor bank&quot;; &quot;presenting bank.&quot;" href="/8.4-105/">8.4-105</a>.
			&#x201C;Suspends payments,&#x201D;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions and index of definitions" href="/8.4-104/">8.4-104</a>. <a id="paragraph-277370" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.3A-103/#c"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="d"><p><span class="prefix-number">d.</span> In addition, Title 8.1A contains general definitions and principles of construction and interpretation applicable throughout this title. <a id="paragraph-277371" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.3A-103/#d"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 6-544; 1964, c. 219, &#xA7;&#xA7; 8.3-102, 8.3-118; 1992, c. 693; 2003, c. 353.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
