Jargon Buster

The Annual Equivalent Rate is the interest rate that is used on savings. The higher the better as you will earn more money on your savings.

The Annual Percentage Rate is the interest rate that is used on borrowings. It tells you the cost of credit for credit cards and loans. The lower the better as you will have to pay less to borrow the money.

The amount of money you owe or have in your account.

A financial institution that accepts deposits, provides loans, and offers other financial services. Many big banks are global businesses and owned by lots of people who have bought a share in the company.

When you write a cheque for something but you do not have the money in your account to actually buy it. This means that you cheque will “bounce” and you are likely to get charged for it.

A record or plan of how much money you spend, earn and borrow.

A financial institution owned by its members, that offers banking, and other financial services such as mortgages. Many of the building societies of the 1980s, such as Cheltenham and Gloucester have actually now turned into banks and offer exactly the same services.

A written order to your bank directing them to pay another individual or business.

A card which allows you to pay for things with borrowed money. This money must then be paid back in a bill. The credit limit is the maximum amount you can spend on your credit card.

A track record of your borrowings and repayments.

A non-profit financial institution that is owned and operated by its members usually in a local community. They provide financial services for their members including loans such as mortgages, and savings accounts.

Money in any form which is used to buy goods. Example are the British Pound and the Euro.

This allows you to buy things by using your card. The money is taken directly from your account.

Money you must pay back (owe) to a person, bank or company.

An amount of money you put into a bank account. The total money in your account will equal all your deposits.

An initial payment put down to secure a product or service.

Educational maintenance allowance is given to some young people to encourage them to continue with further education after the age of 16.

A set of standards created by a bank or business so that you know what they think is “good” or “bad” or “right” or “wrong”. The bank or business uses these standards to help decide how they should act and where they should invest their money. You can look at a company's ethical policy to help you decide if you want to be their customer. You can find ethical policies on company websites.

The amount of money a person gains through employment and investments in a given time.

A charge for borrowing and a reward for saving. When you borrow money, you have to pay the bank a charge for doing so. When you save money, the bank is borrowing it from you, so you get paid interest from the bank. An interest rate is the rate of interest you have to pay on a loan or receive on savings.

An amount of your money that you can put into a business or project which has the purpose of growing the business and making you money.

Money lent by banks (or other companies) for things such as buying a car, holidays, home improvements etc (personal loan), or for business. This is usually paid back in monthly installments with interest.

A minimum hourly rate of pay set by the government according to your age.

A fixed amount taken off salaries and wages by the government to pay for benefits and state pension.

An agreement between you and your bank which allows you to withdraw more money thank you have in your account.

An income someone receives once they have retired.

Putting money aside now to use in the future. People often save their money in a savings account held at a bank.

A fee charged by a government on a product to finance spending on public services such as the police and NHS, street lighting.

A tax added on most consumer goods and services (inc. chocolate). It is currently 17.5% of the retail price.

The process you go through when taking out your money from a bank.