What type of check guarantees payment by a bank?

A certified check is a type of check that guarantees payment because the bank has verified that the funds are available in the account of the individual who issued the check. When a bank certifies a check, it confirms that the signature on the check is genuine and that the funds are set aside for the check, making it a secure form of payment. This process provides added assurance to the payee that the check will not bounce due to insufficient funds.

On the other hand, a personal check is not guaranteed by the bank, as it relies solely on the issuer's account status. Cashier's checks, while also guaranteed by the bank, are a different mechanism where the bank itself issues a check drawn from its own funds. Traveler's checks are pre-printed and can be replaced if lost or stolen, but they do not function in the same contractual manner as certified checks when it comes to guaranteeing payment for specific transactions.