At a Bank

 

Most people, at one time or another, have dealings with banks. Individuals may have savings or checking accounts, need loans for the purchase of autos or homes, or seek advice and assistance with investment options. Companies and entrepreneurs need banking services to conduct their businesses. Tourist may need banks to cash travelers checks or get cash against credit cards. Below are some common expressions heard at a bank.

English Expressions- At a Bank

Expression Response
Customer: I want to (… cash a check)?
Teller: Certainly, do you have an ID.

Customer: I would like to (… make a deposit into my checking account).
Teller: Please complete this deposit slip.

Costumer: I need to withdrawal $500 from my savings.
Teller: Of course. Do you have your account. passbook?

Customer: I would like to apply for (… a bank huarantee card).
Teller:  Please see the woman at the accounts desk over there.

Customer: Who would I talk to ( … about a car loan)?
Teller: You will have to see Mr. Ellison in the loan department.

Banking Vocabulary

Automatic deposit- A bank service that allows employers to deposit employees wages directly into
    the employees bank accounts.
Saving account- Money put in the bank for long term saving
Checking account- Money put in the bank to be taken out periodically for purchases or bills
Loans- Money given to you by the bank which you pay back over time
Collateral- Something of value as a guarantee for a loan
Interest- Charges for using the banks money or money given to depositors for the use of their money by
    the bank
Check- An instrument issued by banks to its customers that allow them to make purchases instead of
using cash.
Mortgage- A loan for a house
Deposit- Put money into the bank account
Withdrawal- Money taken out of the bank account
Teller- A bank clerk
Deposit/withdrawal slips- Forms that are filled out when depositing or withdrawing money
Bank guarantee card- A bank card that assures payees that a check is good
Monthly statement- A financial listing of your banking activities (money deposited and withdrawn and
    interest charged or accrued)
Open an account- To start a bank account
Close an account- To end an account
Travelers check- A prepaid check used by tourists issued by a bank that can be cashed in banks or
    businesses world wide.

Not all countries use checks. However, checks are a common method that Americans use to purchase
things and pay bills, instead of using cash or a credit or debit card. Below is a typical check used by
millions of American consumers. Usually a store will also require that the customer to have a picture
ID card (such as a driver’s license or passport) and a bank guarantee card before they will accept the check.

Dialogue- At a Bank

Teller: Next please. How may I help you?
Customer: Yes, I’d like to make a withdrawal from my saving account and cash a check.
Teller: Certainly sir. Please complete this withdrawal slip, with your name, account number and amount
     of withdrawal.
Customer: There you go.
Teller: Thank you. How would you like that?
Customer: Could I have two hundreds, two fifties, and the rest in twenties.
Teller: Here you are. I need you to endorse the back of the check you want to cash and I’ll need to see
     an ID.
Customer: No problem.
Teller: Here you are. Will that be all today?
Customer: Yes, that will do it. Thanks.
Teller: Thank you. Have a pleasant day.

Conversation Activities- At a Bank

1. Pair Work- discussion
     Do you have an account at a bank? Tell your partner about it using some of the ideas for
     discussion below. Your partner should ask questions to get more information.

what is the name of the bank
how often do you go
what kind of account do you have
what do you like or dislike about dealing with the bank
do you have any problems with banks (other than not enough money)
do you do a lot of transactions at the ATM
have you ever taken out a loan from the bank- what for

2. Pair work- role play
     Working with a partner, role play the situation, using the information below

The roles: A bank teller, a customer
The situations: At a bank making the transactions below

A. Deposit money into a savings account
      Teller should fill in the deposit slip
      Customer should supply the following information:

• name
• account number
• amount to deposit

B. Cash a personal check
      Teller should ask for an ID card and a bank guarantee card
      Customer should tell the clerk how he wants the money (in $5’s, $10’s, $20’s etc.).

C. Withdraw money from a savings account
      Teller should fill in the withdrawal slip
      Customer should supply the following information:

• name account number
• amount to withdraw

D. Open a savings account
      Teller should inform the customer of the minimum amount for an initial deposit, complete the
      paperwork
      Customer should provide the following information

• address
• place of employment
• an ID
• amount of initial deposit

E. Apply for a loan for a new car
      Teller should complete the paperwork and ask the customer for the following information:
      Customer should supply the requested information

• name
• address
• place of employment
• length of time at present job
• average monthly salary
• average monthly expenses
• an ID name of person for reference
• name of a person to act as co-signer