bank draft

Definition

Bill of exchange drawn by a bank on itself, or on a correspondent bank in another city or country. Bank drafts are commonly used by banks in dealings with other banks, or when a creditor or seller is unwilling to accept an ordinary check from a debtor or buyer in another city or country. (In local transactions a certified check or a cashier's check serves the same purpose.) When a customer (the drawer) requests a draft, the bank withdraws the amount of the draft from his or her account and holds it to honor the draft on its presentment by the drawee. Because, in normal circumstances, a draft is certain to be paid, it is generally accepted as a cash equivalent. Also called banker's draft.