Vector-valued characters on Vector-valued Function Algebras

Let $A$ be a commutative Banach algebra and $X$ be a compact space. The class of Banach $A$-valued function algebras on $X$ consists of subalgebras of $C(X,A)$ with certain properties. We introduce the notion of $A$-characters on an $A$-valued function algebra $\A$ as homomorphisms from $\A$ into $A$ that basically have the same properties as the evaluation homomorphisms $\cE_x:f\mapsto f(x)$, with $x\in X$. For the so-called natural $A$-valued function algebras, such as $C(X,A)$ and $\Lip(X,A)$, we show that $\cE_x$ ($x\in X$) are the only $A$-characters. Vector-valued characters are utilized to identify vector-valued spectrums. When $A=\C$, Banach $A$-valued function algebras reduce to Banach function algebras, and $A$-characters reduce to characters.