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French Banking Terms

French Banking Terms

Moving to France and looking to do some banking. This process can be very difficult and stressful. On this page you’ll find a list of French banking terms as well as useful verbs and phrases that you can use in the bank to get started.

Image: Banking

Vocabulary list

  • la banque the bank
  • l’argent money
  • l’argent liquide cash
  • les fonds funds
  • le paiement payment
  • un chèque check
  • un carnet de chèques checkbook
  • un dépôt deposit
  • déposer de l’argent to deposit money
  • le crédit credit
  • les marchés financiers financial markets
  • les services financiers financial services
  • la clientèle clientele
  • la commission commission
  • les frais fees
  • une investissement investment
  • une institution financière financial institution
  • un virement transfer
  • le taux d’intérêt interest rate
  • la gestion de l’argent money management
  • la monnaie currency
  • une transaction transaction
  • le bilan balance
  • un guichet automatique ATM machine
  • une carte de crédit credit card
  • une carte bancaire banking/ATM card
  • un emprunt loan
  • le montant sum/total amount
  • un compte d’épargne savings account
  • un compte-chèques checking account
  • un distributeur automatique ATM machine
  • un relevé de compte statement
  • un reçu receipt

Useful verbs

  • prendre un numéro to take a number
  • prêter de l’argent to borrow money
  • faire des économies to save money
  • epargner de l’argent to save money
  • retirer de l’argent to take out money
  • attendre dans la queue to wait in line

Useful phrases

  • Où est la banque la plus proche d’ici, s’il vous plaît? Where is the nearest bank, please?
  • À quelle heure est-ce que la banque ouvre? When (at what time) does the bank open?
  • À quelle heure est-ce que la banque ferme? When (at what time) does the bank close?
  • Est-ce que je peux encaisser un chèque ici? Can I cash a check here?
  • Pouvez-vous faire une avance de crédit? Can you do a cash advance?
  • J’aimerais retirer de l’argent, s’il vous plaît. I’d like to withdraw some money, please.
  • Est-ce que je peux changer de l’argent ici? Can I change money here?
  • Où est le guichet automatique, s’il vous plaît? Where is the ATM machine, please?
  • Avez-vous un bureau de change ici? Do you have a currency exchange here?
  • Je ne sais plus mon PIN. I can’t remember my PIN number.
  • Le guichet automatique ne marche pas. The ATM machine doesn’t work.
  • Avez-vous des petites coupures? Do you have small notes?
  • Votre argent est arrivé. Your money has arrived.
  • Le taux d’échange n’est pas très bon. The exchange rate isn’t very good.
  • Le taux d’échange est très favorable. The exchange rate is very favorable.
  • Toutes les banques gagnent de la commission. All banks earn commission.
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David Issokson

David Issokson is a lifelong language enthusiast. His head is swimming with words and sounds as he speaks over six languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private online lessons. When procrastinating working on his site, FrenchLearner.com, David enjoys his time skiing and hiking in Teton Valley, Idaho.

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