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