Money and Banking - A Guide To Learning The Basics of A New Language

Learn Italian: A Guide To Learning The Basics of A New Language (2015)

Chapter 13. Money and Banking

Almost every traveller needs to transact with banks or money exchange agencies to change their own currency to the local currency. Some go to banks to do bank transfers, open accounts, withdraw, or make deposits. Not all shops accept credit cards and you will need cash to pay for many of your travel expenditures. To ensure that you will get the most out of your funds, you need to be familiar with some money and banking terms.

For changing your currency, banks usually offer the best rates. If the banks are closed and you need hard cash fast, commercial exchange offices or booths are the next best thing.

These are the most common terms you will encounter when transacting with banks or money changers:

taux de change comptant	exchange rate
cambiare	to change
banca	bank
la moneta	coin
l'importo	amount
soldi	money
il modulo	form
chèques de voyage	traveler's checks
Mandat télégraphique	wire transfer
la firma	signature

You can use the following helpful phrases in transacting with banks:

Qual'e' il tasso di cambio per il dollaro?	What is the exchange rate for dollars?
Vorrei cambiare novecento dollari.	I would like to change $900.
C'e' una commissione da pagare?	Is there a commission?
Qual'e' la data di oggi?	What is the rate today?
Dove devo firmare?	Where do I sign?

Banking Terms

Acconto	deposit
addebitare (verb)	Debit
agevolazioni creditizie	credit facilities
assegni turistici	traveller's cheques
assegno	cheque
assegno a vuoto	bounce a cheque
azione	Share
azionista	share-holder
banca	Bank
banconota	bank note
bollettino di conto corrente	paying-in slip
bonifico bancario	bank transfer
carta di credito	credit card
Codice Fiscale	fiscal/tax code
conto corrente/interno	checking/current account
conto corrente cointestato	joint accounts
conto estero	Non-resident account
conto in banca	bank account
contrarre un mutuo / un’ipoteca	take out a mortgage
direttore (-trice) di banca	bank manager
domiciliazione	direct debit
estratto conto	bank statement
libretto degli assegni	cheque book
libretto di banca	bank book
libretto di risparmio	deposit account
ordine di pagamento	standing order
prestito bancario	bank loan
richiesta di bonifico	payment slip
saldo	bank balance
saldo attivo	credit balance
saldo passivo/debitore	debit balance
scoperto di conto	overdraft
spese bancarie	bank charges
tasso di cambio	exchange rate
tasso di interesse	interest rate
tasso fisso	fixed rate
tasso ufficiale di sconto	bank rate
tasso variabile	variable rate
tratta bancaria	bank draft
ufficio di cambio	exchange Bureaux