current account

noun

1. Also called open account. an account of credits, debits, receipts, and expenditures between two individuals or companies, usually providing for settlement at the end of specified accounting periods.

2. (in certain foreign countries) a checking account.

current account

noun

1. Canadian name: chequing account. US name: checking account. an account at a bank or building society against which cheques may be drawn at any time

2. economics that part of the balance of payments composed of the balance of trade and the invisible balance Compare capital account

Word History and Origins

Origin of current account¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

Even that one, Liverpool partner bank Standard Chartered, does not allow UK customers to open a current account with it.

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But with 20 banks now signed up covering 99% of UK current account holders it's a useful tool in the fight against fraud.

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The FIC has called for what it describes as a National Inclusion Strategy to help people struggling with debts, and to give people support to access basics like a current account.

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The UK had elevated debt levels, substantial borrowing and a current account deficit, meaning it imports more than it exports, which left it more vulnerable than the euro area or the US over borrowing pressures.

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It analysed its own fraud figures, and made the estimate about fraud suffered by customers of all banks based on Lloyd's market share - it has about a fifth of UK current accounts.

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Related Words

• checking account 
• deposit 
• savings account