Banking & Credit Essentials

A practical bilingual guide for students and families who are new to the U.S.

为初到美国的学生和家庭准备的实用双语指南。

1. Checking Account｜支票账户

Used for everyday spending, bill payments, and receiving direct deposits. 日常消费、支付账单和接收工资转账使用。

2. Savings Account｜储蓄账户

An account designed for saving money and earning interest. 用于储蓄并获得利息的账户。

3. Debit Card｜借记卡

Money is taken directly from your bank account when you make a purchase. 消费金额会直接从银行账户中扣除。

4. Credit Card｜信用卡

You borrow money from the card issuer and repay it later. Pay the statement balance on time whenever possible. 使用发卡机构提供的信用额度，之后还款；应尽量按时全额偿还账单余额。

5. Credit Score｜信用评分

A number that reflects credit history and repayment behavior. It may affect loans, housing, and some services. 反映信用记录与还款行为的分数，可能影响贷款、租房及部分服务。

6. Statement Balance｜账单余额

The amount shown on a monthly credit-card statement. Paying the statement balance in full by the due date may help avoid purchase interest when a grace period applies and you are not carrying a balance; check your card terms. 信用卡月度账单列出的余额。如果信用卡适用免息期且没有结转余额，在截止日前全额支付账单余额通常可避免消费利息；请以具体信用卡条款为准。

7. Minimum Payment｜最低还款额

The smallest payment accepted for that billing cycle. Paying only this amount can lead to interest and long repayment periods. 当期必须支付的最低金额；长期只还最低额可能产生较多利息。

8. Interest / APR｜利息／年利率

APR is the yearly rate used to describe borrowing costs. 年利率用于表示借款成本。

9. Overdraft｜透支

A transaction that exceeds the available account balance and may be declined or charged a fee. 交易金额超过可用余额，可能被拒绝或产生费用。

10. Direct Deposit｜直接存款

An electronic payment deposited directly into a bank account, such as wages. 工资等款项通过电子方式直接存入银行账户。

11. ATM Fee｜自动取款机手续费

A charge that may apply when using an ATM outside your bank’s network. 使用非本行网络的自动取款机时可能产生的费用。

12. FDIC Insurance｜FDIC 存款保险

Eligible deposit accounts at an FDIC-insured bank are automatically insured. The standard limit is $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, per ownership category. Investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and crypto assets are not FDIC-insured. 在参加 FDIC 保险的银行中，符合条件的存款账户会自动获得保障。标准保障上限为每位存款人、每家受保银行、每种账户所有权类别25万美元。股票、债券、共同基金和加密资产等投资不属于 FDIC 存款保险范围。

Safety reminder｜安全提醒

A legitimate bank or government agency will not ask you to pay with gift cards. Never share passwords or one-time verification codes. 正规银行或政府机构不会要求使用礼品卡付款。不要向他人透露密码或一次性验证码。

Educational notice｜教育用途声明

This page provides general educational information, not individualized financial, legal, or tax advice. 本页仅提供一般教育信息，不构成针对个人的金融、法律或税务建议。

Sources｜权威资料

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): https://www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/credit-card-data/know-you-owe-credit-cards/

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC): https://www.fdic.gov/resources/deposit-insurance

Federal Trade Commission (FTC): https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/avoiding-and-reporting-gift-card-scams