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A CHALLENGE TO TRADITIONAL BANKLNG
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.
21 A embarked B launched C issued D released
22 A associate B enclose C mix D combine
23 A persuade B prove C witness D convince
24 A take to B take off C take out D take in
25 A limit B barrier C control D extent
26 A means B amenities C facilities D opportunities
27 A connects B compares C relates D differs
28 A expenses B receipts C bills D charges
29 A program B scheme C device D design
30 A descended B fallen C placed D plunged
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