ALMA: Access to Language Methods for Increasing Migrants' Abilities to Start Their Own Business

alma: Access to Language Methods

ALMA: Access to Language Methods for Increasing Migrants’ Abilities to Start Their Own Business is a European cooperation project aimed at stimulating migrants to begin a new business, to inspire and provide them with practical guidelines in order to start and run a successful company within a new cultural and linguistic context.

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Speak enterpriseChoose a country



UNIT 3: PLAN YOUR BUSINESS
Choose unit

Read the dialogue

Dialogue

Layla: Good morning, I have an appointment.

Business Banking Adviser: Good morning, please come in. How can I help?

Layla: So... first I need to open a business bank account and need to know what forms I need to fill in.

Business Banking Adviser: I will need proof of your identity, address and information about your business. Do you have a national insurance number and have you registered your business? I assume you do not have an account with us yet? I could not find your name in our records.

Layla: No, I am a new customer. Here is my passport, utility bill for proof of address, company registration and my national insurance number.

Business Banking Adviser: Would you like me to open a personal bank account first? We could offer you additional services like insurance, a business loan and a credit card if you require one. Having it all in one place would help with your administration too, for instance using our app and having all your banking in one place.

Layla: Sounds interesting. How much will it cost me?

Business Banking Adviser: It is free to open a personal bank account and we have some really good rates for business accounts at the moment. Let me show you the different types of accounts we offer. Do you need to discuss a loan at this moment?

Layla: No, not really. I think I am going to use my savings for all the set up costs. But if I needed a loan, what is the process I need to follow please?

Business Banking Adviser: I will check the details you gave me and will be able to tell you. Do you also need a savings account and insurance for your business?

Layla: Yes please, and I am interested in online banking and the app you talked to me about. I am very comfortable with technology and hate to waste paper.

Business Banking Adviser: I can definitely help you with all of that. If you can please wait here for a moment. I am going to make some photocopies of your documents and will be with you shortly.

Layla: Thank you.

Vocabulary

Find the right word that is described in the table below

utility bill
loan
surname
online banking
savings account
credit card

 

Money lent for a specific purpose, usually through a formal agreement with a bank.

 

A type of banking for those who are comfortable with technology.

 

Used to prove your address.

 

Included in your personal details.

 

A specific bank account to keep money aside for later or for emergencies.

 

A card used to make payments.

Layla started taking notes about her conversation at the bank, but the notes got mixed up...

Put the following sentences in order:

a) I needed to give to the bank my passport, a utility bill and the company registration
b) I was asked about a savings bank account
c) The bank adviser took all my documents to make copies
d) I said I did not need a loan as I would use my savings for all set up costs
e) I was told opening a personal bank account was free
f) I confirmed I wanted to use online banking to reduce waste
g) I was greeted by a very polite bank adviser

Multiple choice
Choose the right answer from the three options below:

1. If you wish to open a bank account you need to provide...
2. You may consider online banking in order to...
3. Opening a personal bank account is usually...
4. A savings account is mainly used to...
5. Banks offer wider services than just banking, such as...

Complete the text
Choose the right word to complete the phrases.

1. Hello and welcome! _______ can I help you with today?
2. Good morning! It’s a pleasure to meet _______. Please have a seat!
3. I can offer your options to choose from. Just let me know _______ is the type of your business.
4. You need to consider the type of bank account and the services _______ you will require from us.
5. You must indicate the amount you wish to put into your savings account to enable _______ to calculate interest for you.