Cash point/ATM cheque/checkl currency exchange rate convert transaction bank clerk
Phrases
Cash a cheque
Open an account
Exchange currency
Conduct a transaction
Make a withdrawal
Write a cheque
Use an ATM card
Get an overdraft
Enter you PIN
Insert your card
Press the button
Use a credit card
Beginner
A: How do you use an ATM card, Billy?
B: It’s easy, grandpa. Insert you card into the machine here. Then wait a moment. OK. Now you enter your PIN. It should have four numbers.
A: Oh yes. I’ve got it written down here. Just a minute.
B: You really shouldn’t write it down. You should memorise it. You can change it to a more convenient number if you like.
A: OK, I’ve entered my PIN. There are several options on the screen. I guess I just choose which service I want, don't I ?
B: Yes. Choose the service you need to use. If you choose to withdraw money, the machine will ask you how much you want.
A: I can just enter the amount using the key, right?
B: That’s right. Give the machine a moment to process you request. Then take your money.
A: These machines aren’t very difficult to use. In fact, I quite like them. They are much faster than dealing with a band clerk.
Intermediate
A: Which services offered by your band do you use most?
B: I use several services. Of course, I deposit and withdraw money quite often. I often use my ATM card to take money out of my current account. I use my bank to exchange money form once currency to another. I often travel abroad, you see.
A: Do you ever ask you bank for traveller's cheques? They are much safer than carrying lots of cash around.
B: I sometimes use traveller's cheques, but sometimes I travel to countries where they are hard to exchange for cash.
A: Do you use your bank to pay your utility bills? I use direct debit.
B: Yes, I do. It saves me a lot of time. I also have standing orders for my subscriptions to magazines.
A: That’s good idea. You don’t need to worry about missing an issue of a magazine if you do that. I suppose you have a mortgage too.
B: Yes. My bank offers very good terms and conditions on mortgage. There’s a lot of competition between banks nowadays. Each one is trying to offer better conditions and services than the others.
A: I have a deposit account with my bank. There are some restrictions on withdrawing money, but the interest rate is much higher.
B: I don’t have one. I prefer to buy shares. My bank also provides a share trading service. It’s cheap and easy to use.
A: That’s great. But I prefer to put my money somewhere where the returns are more certain.