English for Banking and Finances

Vocabulary associated with finances

Money, loose change, coins, pennies, notes

Cheque, bank book, paying in book, deposit

debit, credit, debit card, credit card, store card

direct debit, standing order, one-off payment

ATM (automatic teller machine), ‘hole in the wall’

PIN (personal identification number)

Warranty, insurance, purchase protection

Debt, arrears, administration, liquidation

bureau de change, exchange rate, currency, commission

pay by installments, pay in full, interest-free credit

General types of credit card: Mastercard, Visa

General types of debit card: Switch, Solo, Visa Electron, Maestro

 

Vocabulary associated with banking and saving

Banking

Bank account, checking account, deposit account, savings account

Insurance, travel insurance, life insurance

Mortgage, loan, debt

Tax, VAT (value added tax), gross income, net income

Bank manager, bank clerk, teller

Saving 

Savings account, ISA, investment, bond

Pension, pension plan,

Interest rate, gross interest, net interest, AER, tax free

Fixed rate, variable rate

(Gross rate interest – before deduction of income tax)

(AER – annual equivalent rate – interest if paid and compounded on an annual basis)

Collocational phrases for financial situations

to open a bank account

to pay in a cheque

to cash a cheque

to transfer money

(for a company) to go into liquidation

(for a company) to go into administration

to be in debt

to owe money (to someone)

to take out a loan

to insure something against fire/theft/accidental damage

to pay into a savings account/pension

to borrow money from someone

to pay by installments

to lend money to someone

to invest in something/someone

to get a return on an investment

to change some money

Useful Phrases for in the Bank

Phrases you may want to use
I’d like to open a savings account	I’d like to open an ISA please
I’d like to pay in a cheque	What is the interest rate on this account?
I’d like to cash this cheque	Could I change this money please
My credit card has been stolen	Could I change £50 into Euros please
I’ve lost my credit card	What is the exchange rate?
Phrases you may hear
Would you like to apply for a credit card?	Could you fill out this form please?
Would you like to open an ISA?	You will need to speak to the mortgage manager / financial advisor
Would you like your interest to be compounded?	Do you need insurance?
We can change that into Euros for you	Do you want to pay your balance off in full?