A bank draft is a financial instrument that allows a customer to make payment in cash through a third party. It is essentially a check-like document used to pay a person or company, but is issued by a bank instead of an individual. The bank draft ensures that the money is available and clears faster than a personal check because it is guaranteed by the bank.
Bank drafts are commonly used in international payments. When someone needs to send a large payment to a foreign country and doesnt want to take the risk of using an insecure or slow payment method, a bank draft can be a safe and secure way to ensure that the money is available when it is needed. Bank drafts are also used for large purchases such as real estate, cars and expensive equipment. This type of payment enables the seller to be sure that the buyer will actually have the money when it is time to pay for the item.
Unlike a check, a bank draft does not require the third party to have a checking account with the issuing bank. All that is needed is to present the draft to the bank that is printed on the document, and the bank will release the money. This makes bank drafts ideal for payments between two parties located in different geographic areas.
In order to obtain a bank draft, the customer needs to provide the bank with the name of the person or entity that is to receive the money, the amount of money and the date on which the payment is due. The customer then pays the bank a fee, and the bank sends the draft to the payee on behalf of the customer. The payee then presents the draft to the bank and receives the money.
While bank drafts are a secure way to transfer money and are a popular method of payment in foreign countries, there are some downsides to its use. In comparison to other payment methods, a bank draft is relatively slow, as the draft must be physically mailed to the payee. Additionally, the customer must pay the bank a fee for each draft sent.