Opening a Bank Account in English at B1: Phrases for the Branch, the App and the Phone
Opening a bank account is one of the first things you do after a move, and it happens at the exact moment your English is under the most pressure. The forms use words you have never needed before, and the person at the desk speaks quickly because they say the same thing fifty times a day. This article gives you the words and the sentences, in the order you will need them.
Most banks now let you open an account in an app, but many newcomers still end up at a branch or on the phone, because the app cannot check a foreign passport or a new address. Either way, the conversation follows the same steps: who you are, where you live, what kind of account you want, and how you will use it.
If you have only just arrived, the wider guide to moving to a new country explains why the bank, the flat and the job tend to depend on each other. Here we stay with the language itself.
What the bank will ask you
The first questions are about identity and address. Banks have to check both by law, so the questions can feel personal, but they are routine. Short, clear answers are best.
The phrase that confuses people most is proof of address. It means a document with your name and your address on it, usually less than three months old, such as a tenancy agreement, a utility bill or a letter from your employer.
| They ask | You can say | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Can I see some ID, please? | Of course, here is my passport. | identification, usually a passport or ID card |
| Do you have proof of address? | I have my tenancy agreement. Is that enough? | a document showing where you live |
| How long have you lived at this address? | About two months. I moved here in September. | they may ask for your previous address too |
| What is your occupation? | I work as a nurse at the city hospital. | your job |
| What is your source of income? | My salary. I am employed full time. | where your money comes from |
| Are you a tax resident anywhere else? | Yes, in Poland. I still have a tax number there. | a legal question, answer exactly |
Choosing an account
Most people want a current account, which is the everyday account your salary goes into and your card spends from. In American English it is a checking account. A savings account pays interest but usually has limits on how often you can take money out.
Ask about fees before you sign anything. Some accounts are free only if a minimum amount arrives every month.
- I would like to open a current account, please.
- Is there a monthly fee for this account?
- Is it still free if my salary is less than that?
- Can I get an overdraft, and how much does it cost?
- Does the account come with a debit card?
- Can I manage everything in the app, or do I need to come into the branch?
Cards, PINs and the app
Your card and your PIN usually arrive separately by post, a few days apart, for security. If one arrives and the other does not, that is normal for the first week. After that, call the bank.
When the card arrives you may need to activate it, either in the app or by making a first payment with the PIN at a cash machine. In the UK a cash machine is also called a cashpoint, and in the US an ATM.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| debit card | spends money already in your account | I paid with my debit card. |
| credit card | borrows money you pay back later | I do not have a credit card here yet. |
| PIN | the four-digit code for your card | I forgot my PIN. Can I reset it in the app? |
| contactless | paying by touching the card on the reader | Is there a limit for contactless payments? |
| to freeze a card | to block it for a while, not cancel it | I froze my card because I could not find it. |
| statement | the list of all payments in a month | Where can I download my statements? |
Sending and receiving money
To receive your salary, your employer will ask for your account details. In the UK that means a sort code and an account number. In most of Europe it means an IBAN. Your bank may also give you a BIC or SWIFT code for payments from abroad.
A transfer is the general word for sending money. A standing order is a fixed payment that goes out on the same day every month, which is how many people pay rent. A direct debit lets a company take a payment from your account, which is how most bills are paid.
- What are my account details for my employer?
- I need to set up a standing order for my rent on the first of every month.
- How long does an international transfer take?
- What exchange rate do you use, and is there a fee on top?
- I want to cancel this direct debit. I no longer use that gym.
When something goes wrong
The most useful sentences are the ones you need when you are stressed. Learn them before you need them. Start with what happened, then say what you want the bank to do.
If you see a payment you do not recognise, say exactly that. Banks use the same phrase, and it moves your call to the right team.
| Situation | What to say |
|---|---|
| Lost card | I have lost my card. Can you cancel it and send a new one? |
| Card swallowed by a machine | The cash machine kept my card. What should I do? |
| Unknown payment | There is a payment on my account that I do not recognise. |
| Payment declined | My card was declined, but there is money in the account. Can you check why? |
| Salary not arrived | My salary has not arrived. Can you see any incoming payment? |
| Locked out of the app | I am locked out of the app after too many attempts. |
Phrases that sound polite on the phone
Bank phone calls start with security questions, so have your card and your date of birth ready. If you do not understand, ask for a repeat. Nobody minds, and it is much better than agreeing to something you did not hear.
Could you say that again a bit more slowly, please? Could you spell that for me? Just to check, you said the card will arrive in five working days? These three sentences will get you through most calls, and the article on phone calls in English has more of them.
Words to learn before you go
If you learn only ten words, learn these: current account, proof of address, statement, transfer, standing order, direct debit, overdraft, fee, PIN, and to freeze a card. Every conversation at the bank uses at least three of them.
Write each one on a flashcard with a full sentence from this article, not just a translation. A sentence like I need to set up a standing order for my rent is something you will actually say, and it will come back to you when you are standing at the desk.