The world of finance has some strange words and abbreviations which can often appear to be a completely different language. We have produced this Jargon Buster to help you to make dealing with financial matters as straight forward as possible.
- AER
- The Annual Equivalent Rate illustrates what the interest rate would be if interest was paid and added each year. The AER allows you to compare the interest rates on savings accounts. The higher the AER, the better the return on your savings.
- Bonus account
- A savings account that opens with an additional bonus rate of interest for a stated period of time.
- Cash ISA (Individual Savings Account)
- A Cash ISA is a savings account which is not taxed by the government. The government sets a limit on the amount of money you can save in any one tax year. The tax year runs from 6 April one year until 5 April the following year.
- CHAPS
- Clearing House Automated Payment System. A Telegraphic Transfer system which allows you to make same working day withdrawals and deposits for your investment accounts. Same working day payment is guaranteed if the instruction is received before 3pm.
- Child Trust Fund (CTF)
- A Child Trust Fund is a long-term savings or investment account for children. New accounts cannot be created but existing accounts can receive new money. Some CTF providers also allow you to transfer your CTF to them from another provider, but we no longer accept transfers in from other CTFs. CTFs have been replaced by Junior ISAs.
- Compound Interest
- The interest your money has earned, which is added to your original investment.
- Easy Access Account
- An Easy Access savings account is an account which allows you to withdraw your money when you need it and usually has a variable rate.
- Faster Payments Service (FPS)
- Faster Payments enables money to be sent electronically between UK bank accounts. To complete a faster payment with Skipton, view our Faster Payments page.
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
- The FCA is the Financial Conduct Authority, a regulatory body in the UK. The FCA regulates financial firms providing financial services to consumers and operates independently of the government.
- Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)
- The Financial Services Compensation Scheme was established under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Its purpose is to protect your deposits should Skipton Building Society be unable to repay them. Your eligible deposits with Skipton Building Society are protected up to a total of £85,000 per depositor.
- Fixed Rate
- A rate of interest that stays the same for a set period of time.
- Flexible ISA
- Flexible ISAs allow you to withdraw money and put it back without affecting your ISA allowance, as long as it’s done in the same tax year and the account remains open.
- Gross Interest
- Interest paid before the deduction of income tax.
- Interest Rate
- An interest rate is the amount of money paid for the use of money and is most often expressed as a percentage rate. You can receive interest on the money you save, but will pay interest on money borrowed. Interest rates vary across financial service providers so it is recommended that you compare rates to find the best product for your needs.
- Junior ISA
- Junior ISAs are a type of children's savings account which is not taxed by the government, introduced on 1 November 2011 as a replacement to Child Trust Funds (CTFs). A child can open their own account from age 16, if they're younger than 16 a person with parental responsibility can do it. They are available to those who are under the age of 18 and do not have a CTF.
- Maturity
- The day when an account reaches the end of its fixed term.
- Net Interest Rate (to 5 April 2016)
- The rate of interest which would be payable after allowing for the deduction of income tax at the rate defined by law. Since the introduction of the Personal Savings Allowance (PSA), we pay all savings interest gross.
- Notice Account
- An account which requires a specific period of notice to be given by the account holder before money can be withdrawn.
- p.a
- Per annum, means every year.
- Personal Savings Allowance
- The Personal Savings Allowance is the amount of interest you can earn on your savings without paying tax. Your allowance depends on whether you're a basic, higher or additional-rate tax payer. Interest from ISAs doesn't count towards this allowance.
- Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA)
- The PRA is a part of the Bank of England and is a regulatory body responsible for the prudential regulation and supervision of banks, building societies, credit unions, insurers and major investment firms.
- R85 Form (to 5 April 2016)
- An HM Revenue & Customs form which non tax-payers may be eligible to complete in order to have their interest paid gross.
- Section 975 Certificate (to 5 April 2016)
- Shows the amount of interest your savings account has earned and the amount of tax you have paid in a tax year. It is provided on request.
- Tax-free
- Tax-free indicates that interest earned is exempt from UK income tax.
- Variable Rate
- A rate of interest that may change over time.