Intermediate· B1–B2Shopping & money9 min

Opening a bank account

Ask about account types and fees, provide documents and understand the next steps.

The scene

You have just moved to a new country for work and need a bank account to receive your salary. You have an appointment with a bank advisor.

Speaker A
Bank advisor
Speaker B
You (new customer)

Your goals

  • Explain what kind of account you need
  • Ask about fees, cards and online banking
  • Understand which documents are required

Key vocabulary

Press the speaker to hear each word or phrase.

  • checking account

    a bank account for everyday spending (a 'current account' in British English)

    I need a checking account for my salary.

  • savings account

    a bank account for keeping money and earning interest

    Do you offer a savings account?

  • monthly fee

    money the bank charges every month

    Is there a monthly fee?

  • proof of address

    a document showing where you live

    A rental contract works as proof of address.

  • debit card

    a card that takes money directly from your account

    Your debit card will arrive by mail.

  • interest rate

    the percentage a bank pays or charges

    What's the interest rate?

  • minimum balance

    the least money you must keep in an account

    Is there a minimum balance?

  • direct deposit

    pay sent automatically into your account

    My salary will be paid by direct deposit.

Useful phrases

  • I'd like to open an account.

    Starting the conversation

  • What types of accounts do you offer?

    Asking about options

  • Are there any monthly fees?

    Asking about cost

  • What documents do I need?

    Asking about paperwork

  • How long does it take to get my card?

    Asking about timing

  • Can I manage everything online?

    Asking about online banking

Practice studio: speak the dialogue

Pick your role and press Start. Your partner's lines are read aloud; then say your line into the microphone (or type it) and see which words you got right.

Your role

  1. Bank advisor

    Good morning. Please have a seat. How can I help you today?

  2. You (new customer)

    Good morning. I'd like to open an account. I've just moved here for work.

  3. Bank advisor

    Welcome. Is this mainly for your salary and everyday spending?

  4. You (new customer)

    Yes. My salary will be paid by direct deposit. What types of accounts do you offer?

  5. Bank advisor

    Our basic checking account is the most popular. It comes with a debit card and online banking.

  6. You (new customer)

    Are there any monthly fees?

  7. Bank advisor

    It's five dollars a month, but there's no fee if your salary is paid into it.

  8. You (new customer)

    That sounds good. What documents do I need?

  9. Bank advisor

    Your passport, your work visa and proof of address, like a rental contract.

  10. You (new customer)

    I have all of those with me. How long does it take to get my debit card?

You speak 5 lines as You (new customer); Bank advisor is read aloud for you.

Speech recognition is done by your browser (in Chrome and Edge this uses the browser maker's online service). Nothing is stored by AltFTool.

Your turn: speak freely

Answer out loud in your own words. There is no score here: aim for full sentences and fewer filler words.

  1. 1. Explain why you need a bank account and how you will use it.

  2. 2. Ask three questions about fees and cards.

  3. 3. List the documents you have with you to open the account.

Quick quiz

Choose an answer to see if you are right and why.

  1. 1. What is a 'checking account' used for?
  2. 2. Which document is usually 'proof of address'?
  3. 3. What does 'direct deposit' mean?
  4. 4. Which question asks about cost?

0 of 4 answered

Common mistakes

  • Avoid: I want to make an account.

    Say: I'd like to open an account.

    In English you 'open' a bank account.

  • Avoid: Which documents I need?

    Say: Which documents do I need?

    Questions in the present simple need 'do'.

  • Avoid: I have my passport and visa with myself.

    Say: I have my passport and visa with me.

    Use 'with me', not 'with myself'.

Tips

  • Bring every document you might need; it can save you a second visit.
  • Ask how to avoid fees; there is often a simple way.
  • Write down new words like 'routing number' and ask the advisor to explain them.

Questions about this lesson

How do you open a bank account in English?

Say 'I'd like to open an account,' then ask 'What types of accounts do you offer?' and 'What documents do I need?'

What is the difference between a checking account and a current account?

They are the same: 'checking account' is American English and 'current account' is British English.

Finish the lesson

Finish the practice studio and the quiz and this lesson is marked complete for you.

Next lesson: Disputing a wrong charge on your bill

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