Since the signature card is a legal binding contract, shouldn't the customer sign the card with their legal name and then have them sign a second time if they plan on signing their checks differently? Examples: using nicknames; or a hyphenated last name such as John Doe-Jones and they sign the signature card with just John Doe.

Checks are legal documents as well.

Nothing says a checking account must be opened in an individual's legal name. For instance, my middle name does not appear on my signature card. A customer's signature on the signature card should march how the account is titled.

UCC Section 3-401: Signature is defined as something which may be made a) manually or by means of a device or machine, and b) by the use of any name, including a trade or assumed name, or by a word, mark, or symbol executed or adopted by a person with present intention to authenticate a writing.

As a side note: with the way some people sign their name, how would you know if the signature is the legal name or not?

Thanks beachbum. I wasn't aware of the UCC Section 3-401. Just always thought a customer had to sign exactly how the account was titled. And in this instance, it was obvious they left off the last part of their name.

Thanks osucpa, I agree there's probably nothing that dictates the account doesn't have to be opened in their legal name but I do feel it should match the customer's ID they provide.