Difference between Bank Overdraft and Cash Credit

The Difference between Overdraft and Cash Credit is very subtle and relates to the operation of the account.

While; cash credit, a proper limit, is sanctioned, which normally is a certain percentage of the value of the commodities/debts pledged by the account holder with the bank.

It is a short-term loan to the account holder (company/individual).

On the other hand; overdraft; is allowed against a host of other securities, including financial instruments like shares, units of mutual funds, surrender value of LIC policy and debentures, etc.

An overdraft is an extension of credit from a lending institution when an account reaches zero.

Overdraft means; bank allows you to withdraw money using your account up to a certain limit, even when the balance has reached 0(Zero).

Now the differences between these two are discussed below;

Points of Difference	Overdraft	Cash Credit
Definition	A loan is made to a customer with a current account at a bank or building society, in which the account is allowed to go into debt, usually up to a specified limit.	Cash credit is an arrangement by which the customer can borrow money up to a certain limit.
Duration	OD is always provided for a short-term or period.	Though it is a short-term loan, sometimes it is provided for mid-term periods.
Process for Withdrawals	The borrower is permitted to draw and repay any number of times provided the total amount overdrawn does not exceed the agreed amount.	The borrower can withdraw the loan amount at once or when required.
Nature of Withdrawals	Overdraft is withdrawn only when the borrower needs more money than the amount available in their account.	The borrower need not draw the sanctioned amount at once but draw the sum when required.
Guarantee	This is granted against securities.	Cash credit is provided against the pledge or the hypothecation of goods.
Bank Account	Overdraft is allowed for or provided to the current account holders of the bank.	A new bank account is created for sanctioning cash credit.
Loan Amount	The amount for OD is limited to an agreed extent for the current account holders.	Cash credit is granted to a borrower to a certain limit based on the security and need of the customer.
Repayment	The borrower is permitted to repay any number of times.	The loan may be repaid in installments or at the expiry of a certain period.