About Us

1stChecks is a privately held business.

John Degerness, the owner, started selling checks to banks in the southern United States, northeast Arkansas and northern Mississippi in 1986. What was true in 1986 is true today, selling is not selling when you are providing a quality product or service at a fair price and honor your commitments.

John Degerness has had the rare pleasure of working for three national check printers during the past 17 years. John has taken the knowledge and experience he has gained and used it to create his own company 1stChecks. There are few experiences in life more exciting or challenging than operating your own business.

If you are curious about the yellow and green ribbon on each page, it is the Viet Nam service badge. John served in Viet Nam with the Marines in 68/69. This is his way of acknowledging and paying tribute to those that served in that conflict and to all veterans. Thank you.

John is married and lives in Phoenix. He and his wife enjoy their grandkids and raise guide dogs for the blind through the Eye Dog Foundation. They also visit hospitals and abused children shelters with their therapy dog Teka. More and more people are volunteering in their communities for great causes but more are needed everyday.

If you have comments or suggestions, about existing products or an idea about a new one, please let us know. We enjoy hearing from you.