When you need this

Most banking happens on a phone now, but some things still need a person: opening an account, fixing a problem with a card, sending money abroad, or asking about a fee you don't understand. At the counter, people use "I'd like to..." for the request and ask direct questions about costs. Nobody finds it rude to ask "Is there a fee for that?"

In the US, the everyday account is a checking account and the one for putting money aside is a savings account. The machine on the street is an ATM, and a bank employee at the counter is a teller.

Phrases

the standard request when you're new

the everyday account for paying and spending

an account for money you aren't spending yet

put money into an account

take money out of an account

the machine where you take out cash with a card

asking whether something costs money

how much money is in your account

move money from one account to another

the payment didn't go through

stop a card from working for a while

a document that shows where you live

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

Practice · 3 min

Say the line that fits. Situation on the left, one natural line on the right.

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Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.