ESL Podcast 657 – Checking Accounts and Writing Checks

　　Marianne: I don’t understand it. I got a notice from the bank that two of my checks bounced. I’ve never had an overdraft¹ in my life.
Jae: That doesn’t sound like you. You’re always so careful with your money.
Marianne: I am! I don’t understand what happened.
Jae: Let me take a look at your bank statement. Okay, here are your deposits and withdrawals² from last month. Did you know that your bank charges you a fee just to have a checking account?
Marianne: It does? I didn’t know that.
Jae: It looks like you also have a minimum balance requirement. If you fall below that, you get charged a fee.
Marianne: I do?
Jae: If it’s like my checking account, you can avoid that by getting direct deposit for your paycheck. Did you also know that you get charged every time you use your ATM card to make a purchase?
Marianne: I didn’t know that!
Jae: Well, that’s what happened. Your bank is charging you fees for all of those things and after those fees were deducted³, you were left with less money in your account than you thought.
Marianne: That’s so sneaky! How could they do that?
Jae: They count on you not reading the terms and conditions and not looking closely at your statements.
Marianne: I’ve had it! I’m moving banks. I’m taking my business elsewhere.
Jae: Oh, yeah? I know of a good bank.
Marianne: You do?
Jae: Sure, it’s called the Bank of Jae. No fees – ever.
Marianne: Yes, but would I ever see my money again?
Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

1 overdraft   

n.透支，透支额

参考例句：

• Her bank warned that unless she repaid the overdraft she could face legal action.银行警告她如果不偿还透支钱款，她将面临诉讼。
• An overdraft results when a note discounted at a bank is not met when due.银行贴现的支票到期而未能支付就成为透支。

2 withdrawals   

n.收回，取回，撤回( withdrawal的名词复数 )；撤退，撤走；收回[取回，撤回，撤退，撤走]的实例；推出（组织），提走（存款），戒除毒瘾，对说过的话收回，孤僻

参考例句：

• He has made several withdrawals from his bank account. 他从银行账户上提了几次款。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• It is not the bank's policy to deduct interest on withdrawals. 提款需扣除利息这并非是本银行的政策。 来自辞典例句

3 deducted   

v.扣除，减去( deduct的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The cost of your uniform will be deducted from your wages. 制服费将从你的工资中扣除。
• The cost of the breakages will be deducted from your pay. 损坏东西的费用将从你的工资中扣除。 来自《简明英汉词典》