Settlement of checks.

If a check is forwarded or presented to a financial institution for payment, except when presented by the payee in person, the paying institution or remitting institution shall settle the amount of the check at par, at its option, in money or in exchange drawn on its reserve agent or agents in the City of New York or in any reserve city within the Sixth Federal Reserve District. The term “at par” applies only to the settlement of checks between collecting and paying or remitting institutions and does not apply to, or prohibit an institution from, deducting from the face amount of the check drawn on it a fee for paying the check if the check is presented to the institution by the payee in person. This section does not apply to the settlement of a check sent to such institution as a special collection item.