How can I help you?
Can I help you with something?
How may I help you? (formal)
I’m open over here.
I’m open down here.
down here = over here
I can help you down here.
Please step down.
Next.
Next, please.
Yes? (informal)
I’d like to cash a check.
I’d like to ≈ I need to, I want to, Can I please (?), Can I (?)
I’d like to cash these traveler’s checks.
I’d like to cash (in) these savings bonds.
I’d like to make a deposit.
I’d like to transfer money into my savings account.
I’d like to withdraw money from my account.
I’d like to make a withdrawal.
Tens and twenties, please.
Large bills, please.
It doesn’t matter (which denominations).
Give me all twenties.
No small bills.
I need (some) change.
I need = Could I please have (?), I’d like, Please give me, Let me have
I need some change, please.
I need a roll of quarters.
Gimme some change. (informal)
How ’bout some change? (informal)
Out-of-state checks will take one week to clear.
Are you a customer here?
May I see some identification?
I need to see some identification.
May I see some ID?
ID = identification
Do you have any ID?
Do you have your bank ID card?
Enter your personal identification number here.
Press your PIN number here.
PIN = personal identification number
Is your name on the account?
Endorse this, please.
to endorse = to sign on the back
Initial this, please.
Let me check with my supervisor.
You are overdrawn.
You will have to speak to a bank officer (about that).
Where is the automatic teller machine?
Where is the ≈ Do you have a, Where would I find the, Where’s the
The ATM kept my card.
ATM = automatic teller machine
The ATM won’t give me my card back.
The ATM ate my card. (informal)
I’d like to open a savings account.
I’d like to •= I need to, I want to, Can I (?)
I’d like to close out my savings account.
I’d like to open a checking account.
I’d like to close my checking account.
I’d like to close my account.
I’d like to get a safety deposit box.
I’d like to apply for a loan.
I’d like to purchase a certificate of deposit.
I’d like to buy a CD.
CD = certificate of deposit
What’s the interest rate?
I believe that there is an error in my account.
I need to order new checks.
I want to order some new checks.
Can I order new checks?
Please explain the service charges on this account.
Is this account insured by the federal government?
Do you have bank by mail?
bank by mail = bank deposits by mail
Can you give me a new banking card?
Do you handle foreign exchange here?
Does this bank handle foreign exchange?
I’d like to change some foreign currency.
I’d like to buy some foreign currency.
What’s the current exchange rate?
We don’t handle foreign exchange here.
What is the exchange rate of marks to the dollar?
marks = yen, lira, pesetas, pesos, francs, etc.
The exchange rate is 1.5 marks to the dollar.
The exchange rate is going up.
How many pounds to the dollar?
How many francs to the dollar?
When are you open?
When do you open?
How late are you open (today)?
What are your hours?
Are you open on weekends?
Are you open on Saturday?
Are you open after five?
What are the hours for the bank vault?
How would you like that?
Large or small bills?
Any preference?
I’d like to apply for a loan.
I’d like to apply for a mortgage.
I’d like to apply for a home equity loan.
I need to mortgage my home.
I need a second mortgage.
I’d like a self-amortizing loan term.
I’d like a variable interest rate mortgage.
I’d like an adjustable rate mortgage.
Please explain a balloon loan.
Please explain = Can you tell me something about (?), Tell me more about, I don’t understand
Please explain an adjustable rate mortgage.
Please explain an ARM.
ARM = adjustable rate mortgage
Please explain a fixed rate loan.
What is your best interest rate?
Do you have any 30-year terms available?
Do you provide balloon loans?
balloon loan = a loan where the balance must be paid in full after a few years
Do you offer balloon loans?
What are my monthly principal and interest payments?
How much are my monthly principal and interest payments?
What is the monthly tax and insurance escrow amount?
escrow = money deposited for later use
Is there a prepayment penalty?
What are the closing costs?
closing costs = the costs of mortgaging a house
What are the closing requirements?
How large a down payment is required?
What is the total out-of-pocket cost required at closing?
out-of-pocket cost = money that must be paid in cash at a particular time
We have to watch our spending.
We need to watch our money.
We need to watch our pennies.
We’ve got to watch every dime.
We have to control our spending.
We have to keep track of our expenses more closely.
We have to cut back on expenses.
We’ve got to start budgeting our money.
We’ve got to tighten our belt.
We’ve got to save our pennies.
We must cut the frills.
frills = unnecessary expenditures
We’ll have to go back to the basics.
We have to trim the budget.
trim = reduce
I’m on a strict budget.
I can’t afford that.
I don’t have the cash for it.
I’m in the red.
I’m robbing Peter to pay Paul. (cliché)
I’ll dip into my savings.
I’ll scrounge up the money somehow.
scrounge = locate with difficulty
I’ll get it somehow.
I’ve got enough saved up.
I’ve been saving for a rainy day. (cliché)
I’ve been saving my pennies.
I’ve been saving up for this.
How much is this going to set me back?
to set me back = to cost me
Do you have any financing plans?
Can I pay in installments?
What a miser! (informal)
What a tightwad. (informal)
a tightwad = a miserly person
Don’t spend it all in one place. (cliché)
= Don’t be foolish with your money.
Don’t let it burn a hole in your pocket. (idiomatic)
= Try to keep your money from finding a way out of your pocket.
You spend money as if it were going out of style.
You have no business throwing money around like that.
You might as well flush it down the toilet. (informal)
You’re living beyond your means.
That cost a pretty penny. (idiomatic)
a pretty penny = a large sum of money
That cost an arm and a leg. (idiomatic)
an arm and a leg = a great deal of money
Money is no object.
A penny saved is a penny earned.
Penny wise, pound foolish.
You can’t take it with you.
Money doesn’t grow on trees.
A fool and his money are soon parted.
He’s laughing all the way to the bank.
(The love of) money is the root of all evil.