Abstract: The invention relates to a self-crosslinking heat-curable binder, in particular for electropaints, which is based on an organic synthetic resin which contains primary and/or secondary and, if desired, also tertiary amino groups and esterified carboxyl groups and is water-dilutable due to partial or complete neutralization with acids. The esterified carboxyl groups are activated in the alcohol component by a substituent which induces a negative inductive effect.