Mom: Hi, I’d like to open a bank account today.
Bank Teller: Of course! I can help you with that. May I have your full name, please?
Mom: My name is Jenny Lee
Bank Teller: Great, Ms. Lê. Can I please see your ID and proof of address?
Mom: Sure, here’s my driver’s license, and here’s my recent electricity bill as proof of address.
Bank Teller: Thank you. Everything looks good so far. Would you like to open a checking or savings account?
Mom: I think I’d like to open a savings account for now.
Bank Teller: No problem. Let me explain the options. Our basic savings account has no monthly fee, and you can access your money at any time. Would you like to deposit any money today?
Mom: Yes, I’d like to deposit $200 to start with.
Bank Teller: Perfect. I’ll get that processed for you. You’ll receive a welcome packet with your account details and a bank card. Your account will be active in a few minutes.
Mom: That sounds easy. How long will it take to receive my bank card?
Bank Teller: It should arrive by mail within 7-10 business days. Meanwhile, you can use online banking with the temporary account number we’ve provided.
Mom: Thanks. Will I need to pay any fees for the account?
Bank Teller: For this type of account, there are no monthly fees as long as you keep a minimum balance of $50. If you drop below that, there will be a small fee.
Mom: Got it. I’ll make sure to keep that in mind.
Bank Teller: Perfect! Your account is all set up. Here’s your receipt. Let me know if you have any questions.
Mom: Thank you so much for your help!
Vocabulary List
- Bank Account [bæŋk əˈkaʊnt] (noun) – A financial account maintained by a bank for a customer.
Example: “I opened a savings bank account today.” - Teller [ˈtɛlər] (noun) – A bank employee who assists customers with transactions.
Example: “The teller helped me open my account.” - ID [aɪ diː] (noun) – An identification card, such as a driver’s license or passport.
Example: “I showed the bank teller my ID to open the account.” - Proof of Address [pruːf ʌv əˈdrɛs] (noun) – A document showing your current residential address.
Example: “I brought my utility bill as proof of address.” - Savings Account [ˈseɪvɪŋz əˈkaʊnt] (noun) – A bank account that earns interest over time.
Example: “I opened a savings account to save money for the future.” - Checking Account [ˈʧɛkɪŋ əˈkaʊnt] (noun) – A bank account used for everyday transactions.
Example: “I use my checking account to pay bills.” - Deposit [dɪˈpɒzɪt] (verb) – To put money into a bank account.
Example: “I deposited $200 into my savings account today.” - Account Number [əˈkaʊnt ˈnʌmbər] (noun) – A unique number assigned to a bank account for identification.
Example: “You’ll receive your account number when you open a bank account.” - Bank Card [bæŋk kɑːrd] (noun) – A card issued by the bank that allows access to the account, such as a debit card.
Example: “I’ll receive my bank card in the mail in a week.” - Fees [fiːz] (noun) – Charges applied by the bank for account maintenance or transactions.
Example: “There are no fees as long as I keep a minimum balance.”
Grammar Tips:
- Using Modal Verbs for Politeness:
- Example: “Can I please see your ID?”
- Tip: Use “Can” or “May” to politely ask for something.
- Offering Choices with “Would You Like”:
- Example: “Would you like to open a checking or savings account?”
- Tip: Use “Would you like” to offer choices or options in a polite way.
- Future Tense for Events to Happen Soon:
- Example: “Your account will be active in a few minutes.”
- Tip: Use “will” to talk about events that will happen soon.
- Making Suggestions with “Let Me”:
- Example: “Let me explain the options.”
- Tip: Use “Let me” when offering to do something for someone.
FILL IN THE BLANK
Mom: "Hi, I’d like to open a account today."
Bank Teller: "Of course! I can help you with that. May I have your full , please?"
Mom: "My name is ."
Bank Teller: "Great, Ms. . Can I please see your and proof of ?"
Mom: "Sure, here’s my , and here’s my recent bill as proof of address."
Bank Teller: "Thank you. Everything looks good so far. Would you like to open a or savings account?"
Mom: "I think I’d like to open a savings account for ."
Bank Teller: "No problem. Let me explain the . Our basic savings account has no monthly fee, and you can access your money at any time. Would you like to deposit any money today?"
Mom: "Yes, I’d like to deposit to start with."
Bank Teller: "Perfect. I’ll get that processed for you. You’ll receive a welcome packet with your account and a card. Your account will be active in a few minutes."
Mom: "That sounds easy. How long will it take to receive my card?"
Bank Teller: "It should arrive by within 7-10 business days. Meanwhile, you can use online banking with the temporary account number we’ve provided."
Mom: "Thanks. Will I need to pay any for the account?"
Bank Teller: "For this type of account, there are no monthly fees as long as you keep a minimum balance of dollars. If you drop below that, there will be a small ."
Mom: "Got it. I’ll make sure to keep that in mind."
Bank Teller: "Perfect! Your account is all set up. Here’s your receipt. Let me know if you have any ."