Final answer:
An introducing firm must have checks from clients made payable to the partnered clearing firm to comply with regulatory requirements and ensure proper handling of funds.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of securities and investments, an introducing firm is a brokerage firm that deals with clients but does not hold securities or funds. Typically, an introducing firm partners with a clearing firm that handles the custody of assets, execution of trades, and maintenance of accounts. When a customer of an introducing firm writes a check for deposit into their investment account, it must be made payable to the clearing firm rather than the introducing firm itself. This is an industry practice designed to ensure proper handling of customer funds and compliance with regulatory requirements.