The Jargon Buster Directory is your central resource for locating
an explanation to typical terms found for within all industries , professions
and governments.
Use our directory to locate and decipher jargon that you would like an
explanation for.
Keeping our directory up to date and to include all the spheres where jargon
is used is a never ending task for us. We have started with what we can locate
but but it is a vast subject and can be very niche specific.
Are you in a profession or industry that uses jargon that is NOT included
here? Then why not send us your own jargon buster text and we will include
it within our database. to say thank you we will provide you with a return
link back to your web site.
The Government will allow you to save up to £3,000 a year without paying
tax on the interest as a way of encouraging people to save money. The money
must be saved in an account set up as an Isa - Individual Savings Account.
They are offered by most banks and building societies. To find out more take
a look at our Isa section.
Commission:
The payment which a financial salesperson or adviser receives from a company
whose investments or insurance they have sold to you. Usually, the amount
of commission is based on the value of the sale. Since the beginning of 1995,
you must be told how much the salesperson or adviser will receive and you
may be able to negotiate a rebate, so that you get part of the commission,
or the product you're buying is enhanced. Alternatively, commissions received
may be used to reduce the fees, if your adviser charges direct for their
advice.
Credit cards:
Credit cards allow you to spend - even if you don't have sufficient money
in your bank account to cover the purchase. You are sent a bill each month.
Usually you have a grace period up to 56 days - after which you pay the bank
interest on any outstanding balances. Some company charge an annual fee for
the priviledge of having their card. The most common credit cards are Visa
or Mastercard. (American Express cards must be cleared at the end of each
month and are not in the strictest sense, credit cards.)
Best overdrafts
Credit cards
Loans
Delta:
The Delta card is a brand of debit card. These cards often look like credit
cards. But as soon as you make a purchase the funds are deducted from your
bank account. They can be used to withdraw money from cash machines or to
pay for small purchases instead of cash or cheques
Debt:
Debt is simply money you owe to others - be they financial institutions,
other companies, friends or family.
Best overdrafts,
Credit cards
Loans
Get out of debt
Deposit accounts:
Deposit accounts, also called savings accounts, allow you to deposit your
money with a bank or building society. Your deposit attracts interest - but
can be withdrawn over the counter or by mail. Some accounts require notice
before you can make a withdrawal.
Hire purchase:
Hire purchase allows you to "buy" a car or other large item with a deposit
- and pay off the balance over a period of time. The item does not technically
become yours until you have paid off the debt. Hence the word "hire"
Internet banking:
Internet banking allows you to check your balance, transfer money between
accounts and pay bills from your home or work PC - providing it is attached
to the Internet. Some banks also allow you to download your statements into
a personal finance package such as Microsoft Money or a spreadsheet such
as Microsoft Excel.
Mortgage:
A loan secured against the value of your home. Secured means that if you
fail to pay off the mortgage as agreed, the home can be seized by the lender
and sold to repay the debt. There are two broad types of mortgage:repayment
mortgage. Your monthly payments cover both the interest and capital repayments,
so that, by the end of the term, the loan is completely repaid. interest-only
mortgage. Your monthly payments cover only the interest. At the end of the
term, the capital is still outstanding and you need some other arrangement
for repaying it, for example, from the proceeds of an endowment policy, a
personal equity plan, a pension or even sale of the property. There are many
different mortgage variations, for example, variable rate where the interest
charged moves in line with interest rates generally in the economy, fixed
rate whereby the interest is set at one level for a specified period, and
so on.
Get mortgage advice
Best buy mortgages
Mortgages
Guide to mortgages
Buying and Selling a house
National Savings:
A range of deposit-based investments - for example, investment account, income
bonds, National Savings Certificates - issued by the government. Some offer
tax-free returns. With many others, although the return is taxable as income,
it is paid without any tax having been deducted, which makes them particularly
suitable for non-taxpayers.
Overdrafts:
An overdraft enables you to withdraw more money than there is in your bank
account. It is commonly called: "going into the red". You will usually have
to pay interest on the overdraft - and some banks charge very high rates
of interest, particularly if you go overdrawn without agreeing it with the
bank. But some banks allow you to arrange an interest-free overdraft. This
is probably the simplist form of borrowing
Personal loans:
This is money you borrow from a lender such as a bank or building society
to pay for purchases - or to pay off debt. Usually it is paid to you as one
lump sum and you make regular repayments.
Best buy loans
Student loans:
A low-interest loan from The Student Loan Company to pay for your time at
University. You will need to pay this back once you are working.
Switch:
The Switch card is a brand of debit card. These cards often look like credit
cards. But as soon as you make a purchase the funds are deducted from your
bank account. They can be used to withdraw money from cash machines or to
pay for small purchases instead of cash or cheques.
Telephone banking:
Telephone banking allows customers to check their balances, transfer money
and make other transactions over the telephone.