How to open a bank account in English
Hi, I'd like to open a checking account. What do I need to bring?
“Hello, I want to open a checking account. What do I need to bring?”
When: At the front desk or with a banker, at the start
The moment
You just moved to Brooklyn and you're at a bank branch on Atlantic Avenue to open a checking account. You need to find out what documents they want, understand the fine print, and leave with a plan.
B1 · Unit 3 · Practical adulting
The lines
Say what you need
'I'd like to' is a polite way to say 'I want to'. Say your goal, then ask what you need. This way you don't have to come back twice.
Hi, I'd like to open a checking account. What do I need to bring?
“Hello, I want to open a checking account. What do I need to bring?”
When to use it: At the front desk or with a banker, at the start
What you’ll hear back: Sure! Just a photo ID and something with your current address on it.
Ask what a word means
Bank words can be hard, even for Americans. It is normal to ask. Say 'Sorry, what does ... mean exactly?' and quote the word you don't know.
Sorry, what does 'overdraft protection' mean exactly?
“Sorry, what is "overdraft protection," exactly?”
When to use it: When the banker or a form uses a term you don't understand
What you’ll hear back: It means if you spend more than you have, we cover it, but there's a fee.
Words for this scene
| Word or phrase | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| proof of address | PROOF uv uh-DRESS | a paper that shows where you live, like a bill or a lease |
I just moved here. Does my lease count as proof of address? I am new here. Can I use my apartment contract to show where I live? Tip: A utility bill or signed lease usually works at US banks. | ||
| Do I need an appointment, or can I just walk in? | doo-ai NEED-uh-nuh-POINT-ment, er KAN-ai just WAW-kin | Must I book a time, or can I come any time? |
I want to talk to someone about a car loan. Do I need an appointment, or can I just walk in? I want help with a loan for a car. Must I book a time first? Tip: Walk-ins are fine, but appointments usually mean a shorter wait. | ||
| How do I get the monthly fee waived? | HOW-duh-ai get thuh MUNTH-lee FEE WAYVD | What must I do so I don't pay money every month? |
It says there's a twelve-dollar fee. How do I get the monthly fee waived? There is a cost of twelve dollars. How can I avoid paying it? Tip: Direct deposit or a minimum balance usually removes the fee. | ||
Your objective
Say you’d like to open an account, ask which documents you need, and ask what one term on the form means.
- opening an account
- the documents you need
- what a term means
Lines that get it done
- Hi, I'd like to open a checking account. What do I need to bring?
- Sorry, what does 'overdraft protection' mean exactly?
In the live scene the objective stays on screen, and the Replay afterwards says whether you got it done.
Check yourself
1. You walk up to the desk at the bank. What is the most natural thing to say?
- Hi, I'd like to open a checking account. What do I need to bring?
- Hi, I would open an account of checking. What must I bring?
- Hi, give me a checking account. What do you need?
- Hi, I'd like opening a checking account. What I need to bring?
Show the answer
Hi, I'd like to open a checking account. What do I need to bring?
'I'd like to' plus a verb is polite and natural, and the question is correct.
2. The banker says, 'You can get the fee waived with direct deposit.' What does this mean?
- If your paycheck goes straight into the account, you don't pay the fee.
- You have to pay the fee in cash at the branch.
- The fee gets bigger if your paycheck goes into the account.
- You need to wave at the teller to cancel the fee.
Show the answer
If your paycheck goes straight into the account, you don't pay the fee.
'Waived' means canceled. 'Direct deposit' means your employer pays into the account.
3. The form asks for your 'SSN or ITIN', and you don't know what that is. What do you say?
- Sorry, what does 'SSN or ITIN' mean exactly?
- Sorry, what means 'SSN or ITIN' exactly?
- Sorry, what is meaning of 'SSN or ITIN'?
- Sorry, 'SSN or ITIN', what it means exactly?
Show the answer
Sorry, what does 'SSN or ITIN' mean exactly?
Questions with 'mean' need 'does': 'What does X mean?'