A cashier's check is a check guaranteed by a bank, drawn from the bank's own funds rather than a personal account. It's considered a secure form of payment because the bank guarantees the funds.

Cashier's checks are often required for large transactions like real estate purchases or vehicle sales because they're nearly as secure as cash. The bank withdraws the funds from your account when issuing the check, not when it's cashed. It differs from a certified check, which is drawn on a personal account.