A CHALLENGE TO TRADITIONAL BANKLNG
: H4 R. Z. x! h- T) `Traditional methods of banking are under __0__ from a new type of account which is actually meant to be almost perpetually in debit. This account, to be __21__ in a few months' time, is intended to __22__ a range of personal banking services, such as current accounts, mortgages, personal loans and credit cards. Customers, who must __23__ that they are at least five years from retirement, will be required to __24__ a mortgage of at least £50,000 on their homes and have their salaries paid directly into the account. They will then have an agreed credit __25__ of up to three times their annual salary, to use as they wish-as well as the usual __26__ such as debit, credit and cash cards and a check book. Accounts in debit will be charged interest at a rate of 8.2 per cent. this __27__ favorably with the standard mortgage rate of 8.45 per cent, personal loan rates of around 13 per cent and credit card __28__of about 22 per cent. When the debt is cleared-as it must be by the time the customer retires-and the account goes into credit, it will attract interest at about 5 per cent. Some experts say that it will revolutionize personal banking in the UK. But the __29__ has been dismissed as a gimmick by rival banks and criticized by consumer groups, which are voicing fears that many customers on average incomes could be __30__into serious debt.
3 j& K n6 i* i E21 A embarked B launched C issued D released
3 s/ R- q5 C* D22 A associate B enclose C mix D combine
9 \0 T/ h( p3 i. L( }/ E; |- j) w23 A persuade B prove C witness D convince5 j, ^4 u1 ~3 o) K) ^$ y
24 A take to B take off C take out D take in( @" G' {! D( K: y- {/ e k
25 A limit B barrier C control D extent
1 y" t8 a! H2 `2 P, F' D1 F26 A means B amenities C facilities D opportunities
0 C1 s0 g$ `: B. t1 V27 A connects B compares C relates D differs. x6 H4 g1 i) O( D f
28 A expenses B receipts C bills D charges, K/ K' k0 }6 K" F3 w
29 A program B scheme C device D design
! {: z s8 d1 d! a9 U8 F! L30 A descended B fallen C placed D plunged |