Methods of payment

Question 1

what is cash

Answer 1

Physical money available eg.notes and coins

Question 2

give 2 advantages of using cash

Answer 2

Widely accepted: Cash is widely accepted as a payment method by most merchants and service providers.

No fees: Cash transactions generally do not involve fees, unlike credit card transactions that may have various fees.

Budgeting: Cash can be a useful tool for budgeting as it allows you to keep track of your expenses more easily as you wont need an electronic device

Question 3

give 2 disadvantages of using cash

Answer 3

Security: Carrying cash can be risky as it can be lost or stolen, and there is no way to recover the money once it’s gone.

Inconvenient: Carrying cash can be inconvenient as it requires you to have the right amount of money on hand for purchases.

Limited protection: Unlike credit cards or debit cards, there is no fraud protection for cash transactions. If your money is lost or stolen, you have no recourse to recover it.

No rewards or cashback: Cash transactions do not offer any rewards or cashback incentives.

Question 4

what is a debit card

Answer 4

A card where payments are deducted from a current account

Question 5

give 2 advantages of using a debit card

Answer 5

they eliminate the need to carry cash. You can easily make purchases at stores, online or pay bills without worrying about carrying cash (convenience)

Debit cards are more secure than carrying cash. If your card is lost or stolen, you can report it to your bank and have the card blocked, preventing unauthorized use. Additionally, most banks offer fraud protection, which can help protect you in case of unauthorized transactions.(security)

Debit cards can help you manage your finances better. Since you are using your own money, you can easily track your expenses and avoid overspending and going into debt

Question 6

give 2 disadvantages of using a debit card

Answer 6

May have minimum spend limits

Potential to go into an overdraft

Question 7

what is a credit card

Answer 7

A form of borrowing which is issued by a financial provider.

Question 8

give 2 advantages of using a credit card

Answer 8

Convenience: Credit cards are very convenient to use. You can easily make purchases at stores, online or pay bills without worrying about carrying cash.

you build a credit history. Timely payments and responsible use can help improve your credit score, which is essential for obtaining loans, mortgages, and other credit facilities in the future.

Fraud protection: Most credit cards offer fraud protection that helps protect you in case of unauthorized transactions. If you report fraud promptly, you are generally not liable for any losses.

Question 9

give 2 disadvantages of using a credit card

Answer 9

High-interest rates: Credit cards have high-interest rates compared to other types of loans. If you do not pay the balance in full every month, the interest charges can accumulate, making it challenging to pay off the debt.

Overspending: It’s easy to overspend when using a credit card as the credit limit may be higher than what you can afford. This can lead to debt and financial stress.

Fees: Credit cards may have various fees such as annual fees, late payment fees, balance transfer fees, and others. These fees can add up and make using the card more expensive.

Can negatively impact credit score: If you use your credit card irresponsibly and do not make timely payments, it can negatively impact your credit score. Late payments, high credit utilization, and other factors can reduce your credit score, making it harder to obtain credit in the future.

Question 10

what is cheque

Answer 10

A written order to a bank to pay a stated amount from an individual’s account to another.

Question 11

give 2 advantages of using cheque

Answer 11

Safety: Cheques are a secure payment method as they require a signature and are traceable, making it difficult for others to misuse them.

Record-keeping: Cheques provide a record of the transaction and can be used for accounting and record-keeping purposes.

Convenience: Cheques can be used to make payments without the need for cash, and they can be mailed or sent electronically.

Question 12

give 2 disadvantages of using cheque

Answer 12

Delayed processing: Cheques can take several days to clear, which can delay payment and cause inconvenience.

Fraud risk: Cheques can be subject to fraud, including forgery or alteration. If you are not careful, you may be at risk of losing money.

Fees: Some banks may charge a fee for processing cheques, which can make them more expensive to use than other payment methods.

Not widely accepted: Cheques are not as widely accepted as other payment methods, and many businesses prefer cash or electronic payments.

Question 13

what is electronic transfer

Answer 13

electronic ayment transferred from one account to another

Question 14

give 2 advantages of using electronic transfer

Answer 14

Convenience: can be done from anywhere, at any time, using a computer or mobile device.

Speed: fast and efficient, with transactions typically processing within seconds or minutes.

Security: uses encryption and other security measures to protect sensitive information.

Record-keeping: provides a record of the transaction, which can be used for accounting and record-keeping purposes.

No fees: may not involve any fees, or the fees are generally low, compared to other payment methods like cheque or credit card.

Question 15

give 2 disadvantages of using electronic transfer

Answer 15

Technical difficulties: may be subject to technical difficulties such as system outages or connectivity issues that can prevent or delay payments.

Fraud risk: can be subject to fraud, such as unauthorized access to your account, phishing scams, and other types of fraud.

Limited acceptance: Not all merchants and service providers accept electronic transfer as a payment method.

Transaction limits: Some banks or financial institutions may impose transaction limits on electronic transfer, which can be inconvenient for large payments.

Question 16

what is direct debit

Answer 16

An agreement allowing a third-party to withdraw funds on a set day

Question 17

give 2 advantages of using direct debit

Answer 17

Convenience: it eliminates the need for manual payments, which can be time-consuming and inconvenient.

Automated payments: Direct debit allows for automated payments, which ensures that bills are paid on time and eliminates the risk of late fees or penalties.

Cost-effective: Direct debit is often a cost-effective payment method as it may not involve fees or may involve lower fees than other payment methods.

Record-keeping:

Question 18

give 2 disadvantages of using direct debit

Answer 18

Needs monitoring to ensure correct amounts are being collected

Payee(third party) may vary amounts making it difficult for payer to plan expenditure

Insufficient funds: If there are insufficient funds in your account, direct debit can result in overdraft fees or penalties, which can be costly.

Question 19

What is standing order

Answer 19

allows you to set up a regular, fixed payment to be made from your bank account to another account, usually on a monthly or weekly basis.

Question 20

Give 2 advantages of using standing order

Answer 20

Convenient: allow you to automate regular payments, saving time and hassle.

Predictable: provide predictable payments, which can help with budgeting and cash flow management.

Cost-effective: cost-effective payment method as they may not involve fees or may involve lower fees than other payment methods.

Flexibility: Standing orders can be easily adjusted or cancelled if your circumstances change.

Question 21

Give 2 disadvantages of using standing order

Answer 21

Lack of control: require you to trust the recipient to withdraw the correct amount each time, which can be a disadvantage if there is an error or if the recipient is not trustworthy.

Payments are taken regardless of customers bank balance which may result in overdraft

Payments continue unless cancelled

Question 22

What is a pre-paid card

Answer 22

Cash loaded onto a card which be used to make purchases.

You top them up when they run out

Question 23

Give 2 advantages of using pre-paid cards

Answer 23

Widely accepted by retailers

Convenient: allow you to make purchases and withdraw cash without carrying cash.

Control: provide a way to limit spending and control your budget as you can only spend the amount of money loaded onto the card.

Security: they are not linked to your bank account, which can help protect against fraud and identity theft.

Accessibility: can be used by people who do not have a bank account or who have limited access to banking services.

Question 24

Give 2 disadvantages of using pre-paid cards

Answer 24

Fees: can be subject to fees, such as activation fees, monthly fees, and transaction fees, which can be costly.

No credit building: Prepaid cards do not help build credit as they are not linked to a credit account.

Question 25

What are contactless cards

Answer 25

allows you to make purchases by simply tapping your card against a payment terminal, without the need to enter a PIN or sign a receipt.

Question 26

Give 2 advantages of using contactless cards

Answer 26

Convenient: allow you to make purchases quickly and easily, without the need to enter a PIN or sign a receipt which can help reduce waiting times at checkout.

Secure: they use encryption technology to protect your information, and typically have a low transaction limit to prevent unauthorized use.

widely accepted by merchants and service providers.

Question 27

Give 2 disadvantages of using contactless cards

Answer 27

Limited transaction amount: limited to a maximum transaction amount, which may not be suitable for larger purchases.

Risk of loss or theft: can be lost or stolen, and if someone finds or steals your card, they can make unauthorized purchases without needing to enter a PIN.

Question 28

What are charge cards

Answer 28

A card that allows customers to delay payments for a short period of time, with the balance being paid off fully at each statement

Question 29

Give 2 advantages of using charge cards

Answer 29

No interest charges: do not charge interest on balances, as the balance is due in full each month.

Flexible spending: provide flexibility in spending, as you can make purchases up to a pre-approved limit.

Rewards: offer rewards programs that provide incentives such as cash back, travel rewards, or points that can be redeemed for merchandise.

Credit building: help build credit, as they are reported to credit bureaus and can demonstrate responsible credit use.

Question 30

Give 2 disadvantages of using charge cards

Answer 30

Annual fees: may charge annual fees, which can be high, depending on the card.

Late fees: If the balance is not paid in full by the due date, charged cards may charge late fees.

Strict payment terms: Charged cards require the balance to be paid in full each month, which may not be feasible for some consumers.

Question 31

What are store cards

Answer 31

type of credit card that are issued by a specific store or retailer, and can only be used to make purchases at that store or retailer.

Question 32

Give 2 advantages of using store cads

Answer 32

Discounts and rewards: offer discounts and rewards, such as cash back or points, for purchases made at that specific store or retailer.

Easier approval: easier to be approved for, as they typically have lower credit score requirements than traditional credit cards.

Special financing offers: offer special financing offers, such as zero percent interest or deferred payments, for certain purchases.

Exclusive benefits:provide exclusive benefits, such as free shipping or extended return periods, for cardholders.

Question 33

Give 2 disadvantages of using store cards

Answer 33

Limited use: can only be used at the specific store or retailer that issued the card, which may not be convenient for some consumers.

Question 34

What is mobile banking

Answer 34

the use of a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet, to access and manage banking services, including making payments.

Question 35

Give 2 advantages of using mobile banking

Answer 35

24/7

Convenience: allows you to make payments from anywhere, at any time, without needing to visit a bank or ATM.

Security: use encryption and biometric authentication, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, to protect your financial information and prevent unauthorized access.

Speed: made quickly, without the need to write a check or wait for a transfer to clear.

Integration: Mobile banking apps can integrate with other financial apps and services, such as budgeting or investment apps, to provide a comprehensive financial management experience.

Question 36

Give 2 disadvantages of using mobile banking

Answer 36

Technical issues: may experience technical issues or outages, which can prevent you from accessing your account or making payments.

Security risks: Mobile devices can be lost or stolen, and if your mobile banking app is not secured with a strong password or biometric authentication, your financial information could be compromised.

Question 37

What is Banker’s Automated Clearing Services(BACS)Faster Payment Service(FPS)

Answer 37

Electronic payment from one bank account to another

BACS - takes 3 days

FPS - takes 2 hours

Question 38

Give two advantages of using BACS and FPS

Answer 38

Guarantees instant payment

No additional costs

Used in branch, phone and online

Question 39

Give 2 disadvantages of using BACS and FPS

Answer 39

Limited amount in a single transaction

Service not offered by all banks

Question 40

What is Clearing House Automated Payment System (CHAPS)

Answer 40

payments to UK accounts that are guaranteed to arrive on the day you make them, as long as you set up the payment in branch, by phone

Question 41

Give 2 advantages of using CHAPS

Answer 41

No limit on the amount in a single transaction

Same day transfer

Question 42

Give 2 disadvantages of using CHAPS

Answer 42

Fixed charge for the transaction