bank accountnoun
bank uh-KOWNT
An arrangement with a bank to hold and manage a person's money.
"You need a bank account to receive a salary by direct transfer."
current accountnoun
KUR-ent uh-KOWNT
A bank account used for everyday transactions, with unlimited deposits and withdrawals. Called a "checking account" in American English.
"Her salary is paid directly into her current account every month."
savings accountnoun
SAY-vingz uh-KOWNT
A bank account that earns interest and is designed for storing money rather than daily spending.
"He moved $5,000 into a high-interest savings account."
depositnoun / verb
deh-POZ-it
Money placed into a bank account; also an upfront payment to secure a purchase or rental agreement.
"She deposited her monthly pay immediately upon receiving it."
withdrawverb
with-DRAW
To take money out of a bank account.
"He withdrew $200 in cash before the weekend."
transferverb / noun
TRANS-fer
To move money from one account to another, or between banks.
"She transferred the funds to her joint account."
overdraftnoun
OH-ver-draft
The amount by which spending exceeds the available balance in a bank account — spending money you don't have, with the bank's permission.
"He was charged a fee for going into his overdraft by $50."
loannoun
lohn
A sum of money borrowed from a bank or lender, to be repaid with interest over an agreed period.
"She took out a personal loan to cover the cost of the surgery."
mortgagenoun
MOR-gij
A long-term loan secured against a property, used to finance its purchase. The property is collateral.
"They took out a 30-year mortgage to buy their apartment."
interest ratenoun phrase
IN-ter-est rayt
The percentage charged on a loan or paid on savings, typically expressed per year (per annum).
"A rise in the central bank's interest rate makes mortgages more expensive."
collateralnoun
kuh-LAT-er-ul
An asset pledged as security for a loan. If the loan is not repaid, the lender takes the asset.
"The bank accepted the property as collateral for the business loan."
credit scorenoun phrase
KRED-it skor
A numerical rating of a person's creditworthiness based on their borrowing and repayment history. Higher is better.
"A high credit score allows you to borrow at lower interest rates."
repaymentnoun
reh-PAY-ment
An amount paid back on a loan, typically in regular monthly instalments.
"Her monthly mortgage repayment is $1,400."
defaultverb / noun
deh-FAWLT
To fail to repay a loan or meet a financial obligation on time.
"If you default on your mortgage, the bank can repossess your home."
compound interestnoun phrase
KOM-pound IN-ter-est
Interest calculated on the principal plus all previously accumulated interest — interest on interest. Works against borrowers on unpaid debt.
"An unpaid credit card balance can double in 5 years thanks to compound interest."
principalnoun
PRIN-suh-pul
The original amount borrowed or invested, before any interest is added.
"After two years of repayments, she had reduced the principal by $8,000."
APRabbreviation
ay-pee-ar
Annual Percentage Rate — the yearly cost of borrowing, including fees and interest, expressed as a percentage.
"The credit card charges 22% APR — far higher than a standard personal loan."
fixed ratenoun phrase
fikst rayt
An interest rate that remains constant for a specified period, regardless of market changes.
"A fixed-rate mortgage gives certainty — your repayments will not change for 5 years."
variable ratenoun phrase
VAIR-ee-uh-bul rayt
An interest rate that can change based on market conditions, typically linked to a central bank rate.
"A variable rate mortgage is riskier — if rates rise, so do your repayments."
guarantornoun
GAR-un-tor
A person who agrees to repay a loan if the primary borrower cannot.
"Because she had no credit history, her father agreed to act as guarantor."
amortizationnoun
am-or-tih-ZAY-shun
The process of gradually paying off a debt through regular scheduled payments of principal and interest.
"The 30-year mortgage is structured as a 360-month amortization schedule."
termnoun
turm
The length of time for which a loan or financial agreement is in force.
"She chose a 5-year term on her car loan."
lendernoun
LEN-der
An individual or institution that provides money to borrowers on the condition of repayment with interest.
"The lender approved her application for a $50,000 business loan."