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Free, no AIHebrew-English guide 62 of 100

Israeli Banking, in Plain English

What osh, misgeret, hora’at keva and bit mean in Israel.

A person using a banking phone app at a cafe table

Mix-Ups to Avoid

  1. Do not treat מסגרת as money in your account. Check whether the screen means an account overdraft limit or a separate card limit.
  2. Do not translate every הוראת קבע as standing order. Check who starts the payment and whether the bank account or card is charged.
  3. Do not assume כרטיס אשראי works like a typical US revolving credit card. The usual Israeli card collects the full monthly amount unless you choose another credit product.
In This Guide38 entries

Current Accounts And Limits

On the label or sign

עו״ש
current or checking account
יתרת עו״ש
current account balance
תנועות בעו״ש
current account activity

חֶשְׁבּוֹן עוֹבֵר וָשָׁב; עוֹ״שׁEveryday bank account

kheshbon over va-shav; osh

US English

checking account

UK English

current account

What it is

עו״ש is the day-to-day account used for salary and routine receipts and payments.

The difference

The US name is checking account. The UK name is current account.

Common mistake

Do not call עו״ש a savings account or translate UK current as נוכחי.

On the label or sign

תנועות בעו״ש
current account activity
פירוט חשבון
account details or transaction list
אסמכתא
transaction reference

תנועות בעו״ש; פירוט חשבוןAccount activity

tnu’ot ba-osh; perut kheshbon

US English

account activity / transaction history

UK English

account transactions / statement detail

What it is

תנועות בעו״ש are the individual entries posted to the account. A list can show the date, description, debit or credit amount, balance and אסמכתא.

The difference

תנועות means account activity here, not physical movements. The current-account list is separate from the card-company activity list.

Common mistake

Search for account activity or transactions, not movements.

On the label or sign

יתרה
balance
יתרה בחשבון
account balance

יתרה; יתרה בחשבוןAccount balance

yetera; yetera ba-kheshbon

US English

balance / ledger balance

UK English

balance

What it is

יתרה is the net of credits posted to the account minus debits posted at the relevant time.

The difference

The posted balance can differ from the amount that is safe to spend when card charges or other future debits have not posted.

Common mistake

Do not read יתרה as a complete forecast of every coming debit.

On the label or sign

יתרת זכות
positive balance
פלוס
account in credit

יתרת זכות; בפלוסPositive balance

yitrat zkhut; ba-plus

US English

positive balance / account in credit

UK English

credit balance / in credit

What it is

יתרת זכות is the account’s own positive balance. בפלוס is the colloquial label.

The difference

זכות means money credited to the account here. יתרת זכות is not a credit facility.

Common mistake

Do not read credit balance as borrowed אשראי.

On the label or sign

יתרת חובה
negative balance
מינוס
overdrawn balance

יתרת חובה; במינוסNegative balance

yitrat khova; ba-minus

US English

negative balance / overdrawn balance

UK English

debit balance / overdrawn

What it is

יתרת חובה is a negative current-account balance. במינוס is the colloquial label.

The difference

A negative balance can be within an approved account limit or beyond the approved limit.

Common mistake

Do not assume every minus is unauthorized or interest-free.

On the label or sign

יתרה למשיכה
available to withdraw
יתרה זמינה
available balance

יתרה למשיכה; יתרה זמינהAvailable balance

yetera limshikha; yetera zmina

US English

available balance / available to withdraw

UK English

available balance

What it is

יתרה למשיכה is the amount the bank currently makes available. A bank’s definition can include unused approved overdraft credit.

The difference

The available balance can be larger than the account balance. Part of the available amount can be borrowing capacity rather than money on deposit.

Common mistake

Do not treat the whole יתרה זמינה as money you own.

On the label or sign

סכום המסגרת
limit amount
תוקף המסגרת
limit validity
מסגרת עו״ש
current-account credit limit

מסגרת אשראי בחשבון עו״ש; מסגרת עו״ש; מסגרתAccount credit limit

misgeret ashrai be-kheshbon osh; misgeret

US English

checking line of credit / overdraft line

UK English

arranged overdraft

What it is

מסגרת עו״ש is the maximum credit the bank has agreed in advance to honor through the current account. Credit is discretionary.

The difference

The basic right to an account does not create a right to מסגרת עו״ש. The account limit is separate from the card limit.

Common mistake

Do not treat מסגרת עו״ש as a budget, a positive balance or the card limit.

On the label or sign

ניצול
amount of the limit used
פנויה
unused part of the limit

ניצול מסגרת; מסגרת פנויהLimit used and available

nitsul misgeret; misgeret pnuya

US English

credit-line utilization; available credit

UK English

overdraft used; available overdraft

What it is

ניצול is the amount of the approved facility already used. מסגרת פנויה is the unused portion.

The difference

Both figures describe borrowing capacity, not deposits.

Common mistake

Do not add מסגרת פנויה to the balance and count the same borrowing capacity twice.

On the label or sign

חריגה
over the approved limit
ללא מסגרת
without an approved limit

חריגה ממסגרת; יתרת חובה ללא מסגרתBeyond the account limit

khariga mi-misgeret; yitrat khova lelo misgeret

US English

over-limit / unarranged overdraft

UK English

exceeding an arranged overdraft / unarranged overdraft

What it is

חריגה ממסגרת is a negative balance beyond the approved account limit. יתרת חובה ללא מסגרת is a negative balance with no approved limit.

The difference

Banks generally keep debits within the approved framework. Interest outside or beyond the framework is more expensive.

Common mistake

Do not assume the bank must honor a debit because the bank honored an excess before.

Cards And Credit

On the label or sign

מסגרת
card limit
מסגרת פנויה
available card limit
עסקאות שטרם חויבו
transactions not yet debited

מסגרת אשראי בכרטיס; מסגרת כרטיסCard spending limit

misgeret ashrai ba-kartis

US English

card credit/spending limit

UK English

card spending limit

What it is

מסגרת כרטיס is the ceiling available on a payment card. A bank-issued card framework can be subordinate to the account framework, while a non-bank card can have a separate framework.

The difference

מסגרת כרטיס is distinct from the account’s overdraft facility. Unused card limit is not cash in the account.

Common mistake

Do not assume a positive account balance guarantees room on the card.

On the label or sign

מסגרת אשראי
credit limit
אשראי מתגלגל
revolving credit
ריבית אשראי
credit interest

אַשְׁרַאיCredit

ashrai

US English

credit

UK English

credit

What it is

אשראי is the broad term for borrowed purchasing power. The word appears in account limits, card limits, loans, installment credit and revolving credit.

The difference

אשראי does not mean only credit card. זיכוי means money credited to the customer’s favor and is different from borrowing.

Common mistake

Do not translate every occurrence of אשראי as credit card.

On the label or sign

מועד חיוב חודשי
monthly debit date
כרטיס חיוב נדחה
deferred-debit card

כרטיס חיוב נדחה; commonly כרטיס אשראיMonthly deferred-debit card

kartis khiyuv nidkhe; kartis ashrai

US English

charge card or deferred-debit card

UK English

deferred debit card

What it is

The ordinary Israeli כרטיס אשראי usually batches purchases and debits the bank account once a month. Bank of Israel classifies the card as חיוב נדחה.

The difference

A normal non-revolving card collects the full monthly amount. A US-style minimum payment is not the default.

Common mistake

Do not assume כרטיס אשראי automatically revolves like a typical US credit card.

On the label or sign

חיוב מיידי
immediate debit
דביט
debit
DEBIT
debit card

כרטיס חיוב מיידי; כרטיס דביטDebit card

kartis khiyuv miyadi; kartis debit

US English

debit card

UK English

debit card

What it is

כרטיס חיוב מיידי debits the current account close to the time of a purchase. The card normally cannot be used for installments, card standing instructions, hotel or security transactions, or transactions with an unknown amount.

The difference

A debit card can still put the account into an approved overdraft facility and generate account interest.

Common mistake

Do not assume debit can never create a minus or supports Israeli installments.

On the label or sign

נטען
prepaid or reloadable
PREPAID
prepaid card

כרטיס נטעןPrepaid card

kartis nit’an

US English

prepaid card

UK English

prepaid card

What it is

Money is loaded onto כרטיס נטען before use. Purchases reduce the stored balance.

The difference

כרטיס נטען is neither the current-account debit card nor the usual monthly deferred-debit card.

Common mistake

Do not call every non-credit card debit or assume כרטיס נטען draws from the current account.

On the label or sign

רגילה
regular single purchase
תשלום אחד
one payment

עסקה רגילה; תשלום אחדSingle card purchase

iska regila; tashlum ekhad

US English

single card purchase

UK English

single card purchase

What it is

עסקה רגילה is one purchase charged in the next normal billing cycle on a deferred-debit card.

The difference

The charge is delayed until the monthly debit date. The delay alone does not make the purchase interest-bearing credit.

Common mistake

Do not call תשלום אחד cash or assume the delay carries interest.

On the label or sign

כמה תשלומים?
how many installments?
תשלום X מתוך Y
installment X of Y

עסקת תשלומים; תשלומיםMerchant installments

iskat tashlumim; tashlumim

US English

merchant installments

UK English

instalment purchase

What it is

עסקת תשלומים divides one purchase into a fixed number of card charges. Ordinary merchant installments can be interest-free.

The difference

תשלומים are different from interest-bearing קרדיט and from a subscription. The full purchase amount can initially occupy the card limit while each installment releases part of the limit.

Common mistake

Do not assume every installment plan charges interest or means recurring service billing.

On the label or sign

קרדיט
interest-bearing card installments
ריבית
interest

עסקת קרדיט; קרדיטCard installment loan

iskat kredit; kredit

US English

interest-bearing card installment loan

UK English

interest-bearing card instalment credit

What it is

In עסקת קרדיט, the card issuer finances a purchase or converts the purchase into installments with interest.

The difference

קרדיט is different from merchant-funded ordinary installments.

Common mistake

Do not use קרדיט as a generic name for any card purchase or for interest-free תשלומים.

On the label or sign

אשראי מתגלגל
revolving credit
סכום החיוב החודשי
monthly payment amount
חיוב חודשי קבוע
fixed monthly repayment

אשראי מתגלגל; חיוב חודשי קבועRevolving credit

ashrai mitgalgel; khiyuv khodshi kavua

US English

revolving credit

UK English

revolving credit

What it is

With אשראי מתגלגל, the customer pays a chosen or set monthly amount and carries the remaining card debt forward with interest.

The difference

חיוב חודשי קבוע names the repayment method. The phrase does not mean a fixed-price subscription.

Common mistake

Do not overlook the interest-bearing carried balance behind חיוב חודשי קבוע.

On the label or sign

חיובים
debits or charges
מועד חיוב
debit date
חיובים קרובים
upcoming charges

חיובDebit or charge

khiyuv

US English

debit / charge

UK English

debit / charge

What it is

חיוב is money charged to an account or card. In account language, חיוב reduces the balance. On a card, חיוב can mean the transaction or the later monthly collection.

The difference

The card transaction date can differ from the bank-account debit date.

Common mistake

Do not translate חיוב as English debt in every context.

On the label or sign

זיכויים
credits
החזר
refund

זיכויCredit or refund

zikui

US English

credit / refund

UK English

credit / refund

What it is

זיכוי is money entered in the customer’s favor. זיכוי can be an incoming transfer, salary, reversal or merchant refund.

The difference

זיכוי does not mean a loan or borrowed אשראי.

Common mistake

Read זיכוי as money credited to the account, not as borrowed credit.

Recurring Payments

On the label or sign

פתיחת הרשאה לחיוב חשבון
open an account-debit authorization
תשלומים
payments

הרשאה לחיוב חשבון; often colloquially הוראת קבעPayee-initiated bank debit

harsha’a le-khiyuv kheshbon; hora’at keva

US English

automatic debit / ACH authorization

UK English

Direct Debit

What it is

הרשאה לחיוב חשבון authorizes a named payee to present debits through the banking system. The payee starts each collection, so the amount can vary.

The difference

הרשאה לחיוב חשבון is different from a fixed transfer that the customer schedules with the bank.

Common mistake

Do not translate every הוראת קבע as standing order or assume the bank chooses the amount.

On the label or sign

העברות
transfers
העברה בהוראת קבע
scheduled recurring transfer

העברה בהוראת קבעScheduled bank transfer

ha’avara be-hora’at keva

US English

recurring bank transfer / recurring bill-pay

UK English

standing order

What it is

With העברה בהוראת קבע, the account holder tells the bank to send a chosen amount to another account on scheduled dates. The sender controls the amount and schedule.

The difference

A variable utility bill normally needs a payee-initiated authorization instead.

Common mistake

Do not use העברה בהוראת קבע for a variable bill collected by the payee.

On the label or sign

הוראות קבע
recurring card payments
עסקאות מתמשכות
continuous transactions

הוראת קבע בכרטיס; עסקה מתמשכתRecurring card payment

hora’at keva ba-kartis; iska mitmashekhet

US English

recurring card payment

UK English

recurring card payment / continuous payment authority

What it is

הוראת קבע בכרטיס lets a merchant charge a card repeatedly. The amount can be fixed or variable.

The difference

הוראת קבע בכרטיס is separate from a bank-account authorization and from a finite installment purchase.

Common mistake

Do not call הוראת קבע בכרטיס a standing order or assume a replacement card always stops it.

On the label or sign

קוד מוסד
institution or company code
שם מוסד
institution name
אסמכתא / מספר מזהה אצל המוטב
reference or customer identifier

קוד מוסד; אסמכתאBiller code and reference

kod mosad; asmakhta

US English

originator/company code; customer reference

UK English

service-user/company code; payment reference

What it is

קוד מוסד identifies the institution when an account-debit authorization is set up. אסמכתא can identify the customer or bill, and in another context can mean a transaction reference.

The difference

The institution supplies the code and the customer reference where needed. קוד מוסד is not a bank branch number.

Common mistake

Do not enter the branch number as קוד מוסד or copy another customer’s billing reference.

On the label or sign

ביטול חיוב
cancel one debit
ביטול הרשאה
revoke the authorization
מבוטלת
canceled

ביטול חיוב; ביטול הרשאהReverse debit or authorization

bitul khiyuv; bitul harsha’a

US English

reverse one automatic debit; revoke authorization

UK English

cancel one collection; cancel the Direct Debit mandate

What it is

ביטול חיוב reverses a specific authorized bank-account debit. ביטול הרשאה revokes the whole authorization.

The difference

A customer can notify the bank about one debit no later than three business days after the debit. Revoking the authorization takes effect one business day after notice and does not cancel the supplier contract or amount owed.

Common mistake

Do not assume ביטול הרשאה cancels the service contract or debt to the supplier.

Transfers And Checks

On the label or sign

העברות
transfers
העברה לחשבון
transfer to an account

העברה בנקאית; העברה לחשבוןBank transfer

ha’avara banka’it; ha’avara le-kheshbon

US English

bank transfer / EFT

UK English

bank transfer / credit transfer

What it is

העברה בנקאית is an electronic push payment from the sender’s account to a beneficiary account.

The difference

העברה בנקאית is different from bit and from a payee pulling money under an authorization.

Common mistake

Do not call every digital payment a bank transfer.

On the label or sign

בחירת מוטב
choose a recipient
מוטב חדש
new recipient
מוטב קבוע
saved recipient

מוטב; מוטב קבוע; מוטב מזדמןTransfer recipient

mutav; mutav kavua; mutav mizdamen

US English

beneficiary/payee; saved or one-time recipient

UK English

beneficiary/payee; saved or new payee

What it is

מוטב is the person or organization receiving a bank transfer. Banks can distinguish a saved recipient from a one-time recipient.

The difference

Digital permissions or limits can differ for a saved recipient and a one-time recipient.

Common mistake

Do not send to a new מוטב without checking the recipient details.

On the label or sign

בנק
bank
סניף
branch
חשבון
account

מספר בנק; מספר סניף; מספר חשבוןDomestic account details

mispar bank; mispar snif; mispar kheshbon

US English

bank and branch details plus account number

UK English

bank and branch details plus account number

What it is

Domestic Israeli account details normally use a bank code, a three-digit branch number and an account number.

The difference

The three fields are not a US routing number or UK sort code in the same format.

Common mistake

Do not put every digit in the account-number field or treat the branch number as an IBAN.

On the label or sign

מספר זה״ב
IBAN used for RTGS details
IL
start of an Israeli IBAN

IBAN; מספר זה״בIsraeli IBAN

IBAN; mispar zahav

US English

IBAN for international/RTGS use

UK English

IBAN

What it is

Israel’s standardized account identifier includes a country marker, check digits, bank, branch and account components. מספר זה״ב is a common Israeli label for the IBAN in the RTGS context.

The difference

Only the bank that maintains the account can supply the authoritative IBAN. An Israeli IBAN begins with IL and is not a SWIFT or BIC.

Common mistake

Do not invent an IBAN by joining domestic details or confuse IBAN with SWIFT/BIC.

On the label or sign

זה״ב
RTGS transfer
מספר זה״ב / IBAN
recipient IBAN

העברת זה״בRTGS transfer

ha’avarat zahav

US English

RTGS wire transfer

UK English

CHAPS-like RTGS transfer

What it is

העברת זה״ב is a shekel transfer through Israel’s real-time gross-settlement system. The transfer is executed during the banking business day, usually within minutes.

The difference

A completed העברת זה״ב is final and irrevocable.

Common mistake

Do not use העברת זה״ב with unchecked recipient details or expect to cancel the completed transfer.

מס״בElectronic clearing system

masav

US English

ACH-like clearing system

UK English

electronic clearing infrastructure

What it is

מס״ב is the Israeli electronic system that clears shekel credits and debits such as account-debit authorizations, salaries and taxes. מס״ב also operates an immediate-payment service.

The difference

Ordinary deferred clearing and immediate payment are different services.

Common mistake

Do not treat every מס״ב entry as instant or confuse מס״ב with מסגרת.

On the label or sign

פנקס שיקים
checkbook
הפקדת שיק
deposit a check
שיק דחוי
post-dated check

שיק; צ׳ק; הַמְחָאָהPaper check

chek; hamkha’a

US English

check

UK English

cheque

What it is

שיק, צ׳ק and המחאה name the same paper payment instrument. המחאה is the formal Hebrew term.

The difference

A post-dated check does not mean the funds have already been reserved.

Common mistake

Do not assume a post-dated check has already reserved funds.

Fees And bit

On the label or sign

עמלות
fees
מסלול בסיסי/מורחב
basic or expanded fee plan
תעריפון
fee schedule

עמלה; תעריפון; מסלול עמלותBank fee and fee plan

amala; ta’arifon; maslul amalot

US English

fee; fee schedule; account-fee plan

UK English

charge; tariff; account-fee package

What it is

עמלה is a bank or service fee. תעריפון is the published fee schedule. מסלול עמלות is the current package model for common current-account actions.

The difference

A reform will replace the current model with ניהול חשבון תשלום for up to 100 basic actions, generally from 1 July 2027. Banks can adopt the new model earlier.

Common mistake

Do not write ניהול חשבון תשלום as if every bank had already changed in November 2026.

On the label or sign

העברה
send
בקשת תשלום
payment request
הפעילות שלך
your activity

bitP2P payment app

bit

US English

P2P payment app

UK English

mobile P2P payment app

What it is

bit is Bank Hapoalim’s branded payment app. Services include person-to-person transfers and requests, group collections, some merchant and bill payments, and a payment-account balance.

The difference

A sender can use the bit balance or an eligible Israeli-issued payment card. bit is different from entering bank, branch and account details for a bank transfer.

Common mistake

Do not use bit as a generic Hebrew verb for transfer or assume only Bank Hapoalim customers can use the app.

On the label or sign

יתרה
stored bit balance
כיסים
pockets

יתרה ב-bit; כיסbit balance and pocket

yetera be-bit; kis

US English

stored app balance; pot/pocket

UK English

stored app balance; pot

What it is

יתרה ב-bit is money held in the bit payment account for supported person-to-person actions or withdrawal to the linked bank account. כיס is a separated pot.

The difference

The ordinary bit balance cannot go negative and does not earn interest. Some deposit pockets have separate interest terms.

Common mistake

Do not confuse יתרה ב-bit with the linked bank-account balance or assume every bit feature can use the balance.

On the label or sign

ממתינה
pending
בקשת תשלום
payment request
קבוצה
group collection

העברה; בקשת תשלום; קבוצה in bitSend, request and group

ha’avara; bakashat tashlum; kvutsa

US English

send; payment request; group collection

UK English

send; payment request; group collection

What it is

In bit, העברה sends money for the recipient to accept. בקשת תשלום asks another user to pay. קבוצה collects from several people.

The difference

A card-funded transfer completes only when the recipient accepts. Balance-funded money is reserved immediately and restored if the recipient refuses.

Common mistake

Do not treat a screenshot or message as proof of payment or resend while the status is ממתינה.

On the label or sign

פרופיל
profile and annual receipt total
דוחות
reports, including the fee report

תקרה חינמית; עמלת קבלת תשלום in bitbit receipt threshold and fee

tikra khinamit; amalat kabalat tashlum

US English

free receipt threshold; receiving fee

UK English

free receipt threshold; receiving fee

What it is

Checked 8 November 2026: personal P2P receipts, including group receipts, are free up to a cumulative ₪25,000 per calendar year. Amounts above ₪25,000 and up to the ₪100,000 annual receipt ceiling incur a 0.8% fee on the excess.

The difference

The fee was 0.6% from 1 January 2025. The rate rose to 0.8% on 1 May 2026.

Common mistake

Do not apply 0.8% to the first ₪25,000 or quote the former 0.6% rate as current.

On the label or sign

פרופיל
profile and annual receipts

מגבלת העברה in bitbit transfer limits

migbalat ha’avara

US English

transfer and annual receipt limits

UK English

transfer and annual receipt limits

What it is

Checked 8 November 2026: the published figures are ₪7,000 sent per day, ₪8,300 sent per month and ₪100,000 received per calendar year.

The difference

The sending limits use daily and monthly periods. The receipt limit uses a calendar-year period.

Common mistake

Do not assume every bit limit uses the same daily, monthly or yearly period.

Your English Term Says This. Look for This Hebrew Term.

Your English term says this. Look for this Hebrew term.
English termLook for in IsraelKeep in mind
Checking account / current accountעו״שoshUS checking account, UK current account
Arranged overdraftמסגרת עו״שmisgeret oshThe account credit limit
Card spending limitמסגרת כרטיסmisgeret kartisSeparate from the account limit
Automatic debit / Direct Debitהרשאה לחיוב חשבוןharsha’a le-khiyuv kheshbonThe payee starts each collection
Recurring bank transfer / standing orderהעברה בהוראת קבעha’avara be-hora’at kevaThe sender sets the amount and schedule
Recurring card paymentהוראת קבע בכרטיסhora’at keva ba-kartisThe merchant charges the card repeatedly
Debit cardכרטיס חיוב מיידיkartis khiyuv miyadiPurchases debit the account promptly
Merchant installmentsעסקת תשלומיםiskat tashlumimCan be interest-free
Interest-bearing card installmentsעסקת קרדיטiskat kreditThe card issuer finances the purchase
Bank transferהעברה בנקאיתha’avara banka’itUses the beneficiary’s account details
P2P app paymentbitbitDifferent from a bank transfer

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How we checked this guide

By the baba team. Checked on against 38 sources, mostly Israeli retailers, manufacturers and government pages, and updated . Products, labels and rules change, so check the pack or the office before you rely on a detail. Our methodology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is עו״ש a checking account or a current account?

עו״ש is a checking account in US English and a current account in UK English. The account handles salary and routine receipts and payments.

Does מסגרת mean my available bank balance?

No. מסגרת עו״ש is approved borrowing capacity on the current account, and מסגרת כרטיס is a separate card limit. יתרה זמינה can include unused overdraft credit.

Is הוראת קבע the same as a standing order?

Not always. הרשאה לחיוב חשבון is a payee-initiated automatic debit or Direct Debit. העברה בהוראת קבע is a sender-controlled recurring bank transfer or standing order. הוראת קבע בכרטיס is a recurring card payment.

Is an Israeli כרטיס אשראי like a US credit card?

The ordinary Israeli כרטיס אשראי is usually a deferred-debit card. Purchases are batched and the full monthly amount is collected unless the customer chooses another credit product.

Is bit the same as a bank transfer?

No. bit is a branded payment app for person-to-person transfers, requests, group collections and some merchant or bill payments. A bank transfer uses bank, branch and account details.

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