Topic 3 Key Terms Flashcards
Automatic credit transfer
The method by which state benefits are paid directly into a bank account.
Automation
Where a computer takes over a task previously carried out by a person.
Bank rate
The interest rate that the Bank of England uses when it lends money to other banks. Financial services providers take account of the Bank rate when they decide how to set interest rates on their own products.
Basic bank account
A current account that allows people to store their money as an electronic balance and make payments by direct debit, standing order, prepaid cash card or by withdrawing cash. There is no debit card, cheque book or overdraft facility on this type of account.
Cash in hand
Being paid in cash, rather than money being paid directly into a person’s bank account.
Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)
The body responsible for strengthening business competition and preventing and reducing anti-competitive activities.
Consumer culture
Where the buying and selling of goods and services is the most important social and economic activity.
Consumer demand
The amount individuals are spending on the goods and services they are consuming, funded by their incomes, savings and borrowings.
Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008
Legislation that aims to prevent businesses from misleading consumers about the goods and services they are offering and from using aggressive sales techniques to pressure people into buying from them.
Contingency plan
A plan to deal with unexpected changes in income or expenditure.
Corporate demand
The amount businesses are spending on the goods and services they are consuming, funded by their revenue, savings, borrowings and capital injections from investors.
Credit crunch
A reduction in the availability of loans or a tightening of the conditions needed to obtain one. The global financial crisis of 2007–08 began when financial institutions became reluctant to lend funds to one another.
Demographics
Statistical data relating to population, eg in terms of age, sex, ethnicity, culture, social status and geography.
Deposit
The lump-sum required by a mortgage lender as a down payment.
Devaluation
A deliberate reduction in the value of a currency in relation to other currencies carried out as part of a government’s economic policy.
Digital divide
Economic inequality caused by a lack of access to, use of, or knowledge of internet technology.
Economic growth
The increase in the market value of the goods and services produced by an economy over time.
Equity loan
A loan secured on a mortgaged property.
EU Directive
A legislative act of the European Union, which requires member states to achieve a particular result without dictating the means of achieving that result.
EU regulation
A legislative act of the European Union that becomes immediately enforceable as law in all member states simultaneously.
European Union
An economic and political union of 27 member states that the UK formally left on 31 January 2020.
Exports
Goods and services produced in one country and sold to another.
Exchange rate
The price of one currency in terms of another; eg it enables people to calculate how many US dollars can be purchased with one pound sterling.