The invention involves a system and a method of using a bank routing number having a predetermined return rate stored in a database of a plurality of bank routing numbers, each having an associated return rate for risk analysis of check honoring approval or denial, fraud detection, and the formulation of collection strategies. The invention provides for a system and method of improving the efficiency and accuracy of a risk analysis program of check honoring. The invention includes classifying each of a plurality of bank routing numbers to one of predetermined index numbers based on the associated return rates of the plurality of bank routing numbers, receiving the bank routing number, processing the bank routing number to access the index number to which the bank routing number is classified, and incorporating the accessed index number of the bank routing number in the analysis for check honoring.