What type of check is drawn on a bank's own funds and signed by a responsible bank official?

A cashier's check is a type of check that is drawn on a bank's own funds, which makes it a secure form of payment. When a customer requests a cashier's check, the bank itself issues it and guarantees the payment. This check is signed by a responsible bank official, providing added assurance to the recipient that the funds are available and the check will not bounce. Because the bank takes on the responsibility of the check, cashier's checks are often considered safer than personal checks, making them preferable for significant transactions or when paying parties require a guarantee of payment.

In contrast, certified checks involve a bank verifying that a specific amount is in a customer's account before issuing the check, and it is signed by the account holder rather than a bank official. Traveler's checks are prepaid checks issued by financial institutions designed for safe travel, but they do not draw directly from bank funds in the same way as cashier's checks. Personal checks are written against the individual's own bank account and can potentially bounce if insufficient funds are present. Therefore, the distinguishing characteristics of a cashier's check—being drawn on the bank's funds and signed by a bank official—make it the correct choice in this context.