XVI. Find a word or phrase in the text that has a similar meaning

XIV. Replace the underlined items with words or phrases from the text that have a similar meaning.

Which of the following examples of improved banking technology are mentioned either directly or indirectly in the text?

a) ATMs

b) smart cards

c) credit cards

d) telephone banking

e) electronic banking

XIII. Match these terms with their definitions:

1) net interest margin 2) provisions 3) return on equity 4) money transmission system

a) money reserved to cover bad debts b) profit as a percentage of shareholders' capital c) difference between interest income and interest payments d) method of transferring funds from one person to another

1. Banks are affected by the state of the UK economy in genera l.

2. The UK has a very established loan market.

3. It's difficult for a large bank to increase loan and deposit volumes.

4. The UK's seven principal banks set aside about £6.5bn of bad debt provision.

5. Banks have closed thousands of branches over the last ten years.

6. Many routine banking tasks are dealt with by computer.

7. A bank branch is expensive to operate.

8. Technologically, British banks are behind their French competitors.

9. Few people change banks in Britain.

10. Most UK banks still make huge profits.

XV. Choose, the best explanation for each of these words or phrases from the text:

1) troubled

a) worried

b) pleased

2) rash trading

a) trading without enough care and consideration

b) trading in large volumes

3) let its operating costs run out of control

a) allowed its costs to go over the budget

b) allowed its costs to be checked by external auditors

4) customer inertia

a) customers don't want to move or change anything

b) customers expect a lot of improvements in service

5) stripping out costs

a) adding to costs

b) removing costs

6) reaped most of the benefits

a) collected most of the benefits

b) lost most of the benefits

1 total amounts or quantities

v..........

2 system of local offices spread around the country

b...................n...................

3 highest level recorded over a period

p...................

4 designed so as to be of maximum benefit to the consumer

c...................-f...................

5 when the value of a deposit is added to an account balance

c...................

6 banks with the biggest share of the market

l...................b...................

XVII. Match the first half of each sentence with the most appropriate second half. Notice the words are used in each sentence to mark a contrasting idea. (These words are in italics.)

1) Barclays Bank had a troubled year

2) Banks make a profit on their net interest margin

3) British banks have introduced a range of technically-advanced services

4) Canadian customers get deposits credited instantaneously

a) while UK customers have to wait a few days.

b) yet it managed to make a lot of profit.

c) but it is difficult for them to widen their margins.

d) but they are still behind the French in electronic banking.

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