How did multiple bank branches of the same institution maintain an individual’s balance prior to electronic banking?

Question

What would stop people from withdrawing money from multiple banks and over drawing before all bank branches could be updated on the person’s balance?

In: Economics

Answer 1

Back before ATM’s and just a bank book many banks you could only withdraw at your own branch. You could not go to another branch and withdraw money. Some would let you write a check to yourself and cash it and then if it bounces you are on the hook for bank fraud.