Common Financial Terms Every Adult Needs to Know

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. For personalized guidance, please consult with a licensed professional.

When it comes time to buy a car or house, plan for retirement or prepare for another major financial event, understanding the complex terminology can be overwhelming. Most of us weren’t taught financial literacy skills in school, yet are expected to be financially savvy nonetheless. Securityplus Federal Credit Union is here to help you make sense of common financial terms so the next time you need to make a major financial decision in Maryland, you have the vocabulary to set you up for success.

Bank Account Terminology

Most of us have checking and savings accounts to manage our money. Here are some terms you may encounter while doing your everyday banking.

• Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT): Electronic funds transfer, or EFT, refers to the many types of electronic payments, including direct deposit, online bill pay and electronic debits.
• ACH & Electronic Debits: You can allow a company or merchant to request electronic payments directly from your bank account. These transactions are called electronic debits, or ACH (Automatic Clearing House) transactions, and are often managed through online banking. Real-life examples may include your monthly gym membership, Netflix or car insurance.
• Clear: Securityplus Federal Credit Union may use the term “clear” when a transaction (e.g., depositing a check) has been successfully credited or debited to your account.
• Direct Deposit: This popular service allows money to be automatically deposited into your account. You can use direct deposit for your paycheck, pension or Social Security benefits so to save you a trip to one of our branches. You can set up direct deposit easily through digital banking or mobile app.
• EMV Chip-Enabled Card: A credit card or debit card with a magnetic strip and microchip is known as an EMV, or chip-enabled card. This technology uses encryption and dynamic, card-specific data to protect against credit and debit card fraud.
• Hold: When you deposit a check into your account, the transferred funds may be delayed before they become available to you. This is known as a hold. Cash deposits, wire transfers and electronic deposits are generally not subject to a hold.
• Internal Transfer: When you transfer money between your Securityplus Federal Credit Union accounts, this is known as an internal transfer. You can transfer money using online banking, an ATM or by visiting a Maryland branch.
• Overdraft Protection¹: If you try to spend or take out more money than you have in your account, your account will be overdrawn. Overdraft protection allows you to link one account to another, so your transactions are covered by both balances or available credit. If you opt in for Overdraft Protection with Securityplus Federal Credit Union but never use this service, it won't cost you anything. You can opt out or change your protection at any time.
• Routing Number: This nine-digit string of numbers is on the bottom of your check, to the left of your account number. Each financial institution has a unique routing number to ensure money goes to the proper institution. You’ll need your routing number if you are setting up direct deposit, transferring money between institutions, paying bills by direct debit, and receiving tax refunds. At Securityplus Federal Credit Union, our routing number is 252076714.
• APY²: APY stands for annual percentage yield and is typically associated with deposits or investments. APY is the annual interest rate earned on qualifying accounts, representing the yearly amount of money returned to the owner. Share certificates, as well as special checking and savings accounts are common interest-earning accounts.

Lending Terminology

• Principal: A loan principal is the amount of money you owe, not including interest. On a mortgage or student loan, the amount of money you borrow is considered the principal. When you make a monthly payment, however, you are paying back the principal plus interest accrued and any related fees.
• Loan Term: This indicates the amount of time a borrower is granted to repay a loan. For example, car loans can have up to 60-month terms, while mortgage loans are commonly offered in 30-year terms and 15-year terms.
• APR³: APR stands for annual percentage rate. It represents the annual interest rate charged by your lender and constitutes the yearly cost associated with borrowing funds. APR includes any fees an institution may charge.
• Interest Rate: A loan’s interest rate refers to the percent of the principal, or amount borrowed, that a lender charges for using its money. You can also earn interest on deposits because institutions are effectively borrowing money from you.

Financial Planning Terminology

• Beneficiary: A person who is designated to receive distributions from a trust, 401(k) plan, IRA, will or life insurance policy is known as a beneficiary. For example, if you have a 401(k) plan through your employer and pass away suddenly, your beneficiaries will receive the money you’ve saved.
• Estate Plan⁴: An estate plan is a document created by an attorney that outlines what will happen to your money and assets when you die or become incapacitated. Generally, the goal is to reduce taxes and make it easier for living family members to manage financial-related issues. Estate plans include specifics about how assets will be handled with heirs and how estate taxes will be addressed, as well as naming of beneficiaries for things like IRAs, 401(k) plans and life insurance policies. Estate plans also generally reference a person’s will.
• Power of Attorney: When someone else has the power to act on behalf of another person’s legal matters, this is known as power of attorney. Someone who is overseas on military deployment, undergoing major surgery or even unable make a mortgage closing may grant power of attorney to another person.
• Trust⁵: A trust is a legal document that certifies ownership of assets. A trust generally has many provisions that determine how and when assets can be divided or distributed, and offers tax breaks. For example, a person may set up a trust for a child but not grant access to the money until the child turns 21. A trust can also be used to provide income to a family member who may need regular financial support because of a disability. There are many different types of trusts available, from a revocable living trust to a charitable trust.
• Capital Gains: The profit you make when you sell an investment (like stocks or real estate) for more than what you paid for it.
• Net Cash Flow: The amount of money coming in minus the money going out over a certain period—basically, how much cash you actually have left after expenses.

Now that you’ve explored the basics, you can feel more comfortable making your next big financial decision. At Securityplus Federal Credit Union we’re always here when you need us. Contact a financial advisor today, or visit one of our Maryland branches.