Banking in Hebrew: Complete Guide to Israeli Banks & Finances

Opening a bank account is one of the first major tasks when settling in Israel—and one of the most intimidating for Hebrew learners. Between bureaucracy, financial jargon, and Hebrew-only interfaces, banking can feel overwhelming.

This comprehensive guide will transform you from a confused newcomer to a confident banking customer who can open accounts, make transfers, understand statements, and negotiate fees—all in Hebrew.

🏦 Why Banking Hebrew Is Essential

You can't avoid it:

• Most bank interfaces are Hebrew-only (even ATMs!)
• Phone banking requires Hebrew comprehension
• Important documents arrive in Hebrew
• Negotiating fees requires Hebrew skills
• Understanding contracts protects your money

The cost of not knowing: Missing a single Hebrew banking term can cost you hundreds of shekels in fees or interest.

Success rate: 89% of olim who learn banking Hebrew report better financial outcomes and lower fees within 6 months.

🎯 Essential Banking Vocabulary

Core Banking Terms

Hebrew	Transliteration	English
בנק	bank	bank
סניף	snif	branch
חשבון בנק	kheshbon bank	bank account
חשבון עו"ש	kheshbon oshe	checking account
חשבון חיסכון	kheshbon khisakhon	savings account
כרטיס אשראי	kartis ashrai	credit card
כרטיס חיוב	kartis khiyuv	debit card
כספומט	kaspomat	ATM
הפקדה	hafkada	deposit
משיכה	meshikha	withdrawal
העברה	ha'avara	transfer
יתרה	yitra	balance
עמלה	amla	fee/commission
ריבית	ribit	interest
הלוואה	halva'a	loan
משכנתא	mashkanta	mortgage
שיק	shek	check
מזומן	mezuman	cash
אשראי	ashrai	credit

Account Types

חשבון עו"ש (kheshbon oshe) - Checking Account

• Most common account type
• עו"ש = ע"שבת + ש"כר (over-draft)
• Allows overdraft (מינוס/minus)
• Monthly fees: ₪10-30

חשבון חיסכון (kheshbon khisakhon) - Savings Account

• Higher interest rates
• Limited withdrawals
• Often paired with checking

חשבון משכורת (kheshbon maskoret) - Salary Account

• For direct salary deposits
• Better terms and lower fees
• Preferred by banks

Israeli Banking System

Major Banks:

1. בנק לאומי (Bank Leumi) - Largest, most branches
2. בנק הפועלים (Bank Hapoalim) - Oldest, very established
3. מזרחי טפחות (Mizrahi Tefahot) - Popular with olim
4. בנק דיסקונט (Bank Discount) - Mid-size, good service
5. בנק איגוד (Bank Igud) - Smaller, personalized

Digital Banks:

• One Zero - Digital-first, low fees
• פאג'י (Pagi) - Post Office banking, simple

📝 Opening a Bank Account

Required Documents

Must have:

• תעודת זהות (te'udat zehut) - Israeli ID (תעודת עולה for new olim)
• דרכון (darkon) - Passport
• אישור עבודה/משכורת (ishur avoda/maskoret) - Proof of employment/salary
• אישור כתובת (ishur ktovet) - Proof of address (utility bill, rental contract)

Sometimes required:

• המלצה מבנק קודם (hamlitsa mi'bank kodem) - Bank reference
• דוח רואה חשבון (do'akh ro'e kheshbon) - Accountant's statement (self-employed)

Opening Account Dialogue

You: שלום, אני רוצה לפתוח חשבון בנק (Shalom, ani rotse liftokh kheshbon bank) Hello, I want to open a bank account

Banker: ברוך הבא! תעלה חדש? (Barukh haba! Ole khadash?) Welcome! New oleh/immigrant?

You: כן, הגעתי לפני חודשיים (Ken, higa'ti lifnei khodshayim) Yes, I arrived two months ago

Banker: מעולה. הבאת תעודת זהות ואישור כתובת? (Me'uleh. Heveta te'udat zehut ve'ishur ktovet?) Excellent. Did you bring ID and proof of address?

You: כן, הנה המסמכים (Ken, hine ha'mismakhim) Yes, here are the documents

Banker: איזה סוג חשבון אתה מעוניין? (Eyze sug kheshbon ata me'unyan?) What type of account are you interested in?

You: חשבון עושה ואולי חשבון חיסכון (Kheshbon oshe ve'ulay kheshbon khisakhon) Checking account and maybe savings account

Banker: בסדר. נצטרך למלא טפסים ולפתוח חתימה (Beseder. Nitstarech lemale tfoosim ve'liftokh khatima) OK. We'll need to fill out forms and create a signature

Key Questions to Ask

About fees:

• כמה עולה החשבון בחודש? (Kama ole ha'kheshbon ba'khodesh?) - How much does the account cost per month?
• יש עמלה על משיכות? (Yesh amla al meshikhot?) - Is there a fee for withdrawals?
• איזה עמלות יש? (Eyze amlot yesh?) - What fees are there?

About services:

• אפשר לקבל בנקאות דיגיטלית? (Efshar lekabel banqa'ut digitalit?) - Can I get digital banking?
• יש אפליקציה? (Yesh aplikatsya?) - Is there an app?
• איך אני משתמש בכספומט? (Eikh ani mishtamesh be'kaspomat?) - How do I use the ATM?

About cards:

• מתי אקבל את הכרטיס? (Matai ekabel et ha'kartis?) - When will I receive the card?
• יש לי מסגרת אשראי? (Yesh li misgeret ashrai?) - Do I have a credit limit?
• מה הקוד שלי? (Ma ha'kod sheli?) - What's my PIN code?

💳 Credit Cards & Debit Cards

Card Terminology

Hebrew	Transliteration	English
כרטיס אשראי	kartis ashrai	credit card
כרטיס חיוב	kartis khiyuv	debit/charge card
כרטיס חיוב מיידי	kartis khiyuv miyadi	immediate debit
כרטיס חיוב דחוי	kartis khiyuv dakhui	delayed debit
מסגרת אשראי	misgeret ashrai	credit limit
יום חיוב	yom khiyuv	billing date
תשלומים	tashlumim	installments
סליקה אשראי	slika ashrai	credit clearance
ויזה	visa	Visa
מאסטרקארד	mastercard	Mastercard
אמריקן אקספרס	american express	Amex

Using Cards Abroad

Important phrases:

• אני נוסע לחו"ל (Ani nose'a le'khutz la'arets) - I'm traveling abroad
• צריך להודיע על הנסיעה? (Tsarikh le'hodi'a al ha'nesi'a?) - Need to notify about the trip?
• יש עמלת המרה? (Yesh amlat hamara?) - Is there a conversion fee?
• כמה עמלת חו"ל? (Kama amlat khutz la'arets?) - How much is the foreign transaction fee?

Typical foreign transaction fee: 1.5-2.5% + fixed fee

Credit Card Installments (תשלומים)

Israeli specialty: You can split almost any purchase into installments!

Phrases at checkout:

• כמה תשלומים? (Kama tashlumim?) - How many installments?
• בתשלום אחד (be'tashlum ekhad) - In one payment
• בשלושה תשלומים (bi'shlosha tashlumim) - In three payments
• ללא ריבית (lelo ribit) - Without interest

Common installment options: 2, 3, 6, 10, 12, 24, 36 months

🏧 Using ATMs (כספומט)

ATM Interface Hebrew

Main Menu Options:

Hebrew Screen	Transliteration	English
משיכת מזומנים	meshikhat mezumanim	cash withdrawal
בירור יתרה	birur yitra	balance inquiry
פעולות אחרות	pe'ulot akherot	other operations
הפקדה	hafkada	deposit
החזר שיקים	hakhzar shekim	returned checks
שינוי קוד סודי	shinui kod sodi	change PIN
הדפסת אחרון	hadpasat akharon	print last statement
קבלה	kabala	receipt
סיום	siyum	finish

Common ATM Scenarios

Withdrawing Cash:

1. Insert card → הכנס כרטיס (hakhnes kartis)
2. Enter PIN → הקש קוד סודי (hakesh kod sodi)
3. Select withdrawal → משיכת מזומנים (meshikhat mezumanim)
4. Choose amount → בחר סכום (bekhar sukhum)
5. Take cash → קח כסף (kakh kesef)
6. Take receipt? → לקבל קבלה? (lekabel kabala?)

Common amounts:

• 100 ש"ח (me'a shekel)
• 200 ש"ח (matayim shekel)
• 500 ש"ח (khamesh me'ot shekel)
• סכום אחר (sukhum akher) - other amount

ATM Error Messages

Critical phrases to know:

• יתרה לא מספיקה (yitra lo maspika) - Insufficient funds
• חריגה ממסגרת (khariga mi'misgeret) - Over credit limit
• כרטיס נחסם (kartis nekhsam) - Card blocked
• קוד שגוי (kod shagui) - Wrong PIN
• הכספומט אינו זמין (ha'kaspomat eyno zamin) - ATM unavailable
• נא לפנות לסניף (na lifnot le'snif) - Please contact branch

💰 Making Transfers (העברות)

Transfer Types

העברה בין בנקאית (ha'avara beyn banqa'it) - Interbank transfer

• Between different banks
• Takes 1-2 business days
• Small fee (₪2-5)

העברה בתוך הבנק (ha'avara be'tokh ha'bank) - Within same bank

• Instant or same day
• Usually free

העברה מיידית (ha'avara miyadit) - Instant transfer

• Real-time, 24/7
• Higher fee (₪10-15)

Transfer Information Needed

Basic details:

• שם מוטב (shem mutav) - Beneficiary name
• מספר חשבון (mispar kheshbon) - Account number
• מספר סניף (mispar snif) - Branch number
• מספר בנק (mispar bank) - Bank number
• סכום (sukhum) - Amount
• תיאור (ti'ur) - Description

Making a Transfer Online

App navigation:

1. כניסה (knisa) - Login
2. העברות (ha'avarot) - Transfers
3. העברה חדשה (ha'avara khadasha) - New transfer
4. לחשבון אחר (le'kheshbon akher) - To another account
5. מלא פרטים (male pratim) - Fill details
6. אשר (asher) - Confirm
7. קוד אימות (kod imut) - Verification code (SMS)
8. סיום (siyum) - Complete

Phone Banking Transfers

Calling the bank:

Robot: "שלום, בנק לאומי. לעברית הקש 1"
(Shalom, Bank Leumi. Le'ivrit hakesh 1)
"Hello, Bank Leumi. For Hebrew press 1"

[Press 1]

Robot: "להעברות הקש 2, לבירור יתרה הקש 3"
(Le'ha'avarot hakesh 2, le'virur yitra hakesh 3)
"For transfers press 2, for balance press 3"

[Press 2]

Robot: "הקש מספר חשבון מוטב"
(Hakesh mispar kheshbon mutav)
"Enter beneficiary account number"

[Enter account]

Robot: "הקש סכום"
(Hakesh sukhum)
"Enter amount"

[Enter amount]

Robot: "לאישור הקש 1"
(Le'ishur hakesh 1)
"To confirm press 1"

📄 Understanding Bank Statements

Statement Terminology

Statement header:

• דף חשבון (daf kheshbon) - Account statement
• תקופה (tkufa) - Period
• יתרת פתיחה (yitrat pticha) - Opening balance
• יתרת סגירה (yitrat sgira) - Closing balance
• יתרה זמינה (yitra zmina) - Available balance

Transaction types:

• זכות (zekhut) - Credit (money in)
• חובה (khova) - Debit (money out)
• העברה נכנסת (ha'avara nikhneset) - Incoming transfer
• העברה יוצאת (ha'avara yotse't) - Outgoing transfer
• משיכת מזומן (meshikhat mezuman) - Cash withdrawal
• חיוב חודשי (khiyuv khodshi) - Monthly charge

Reading Your Statement

Column headers:

Hebrew	English
תאריך	Date
תיאור	Description
זכות	Credit
חובה	Debit
יתרה	Balance
אסמכתא	Reference number

Common transactions:

• כרטיס אשראי - Credit card payment
• עמלת ניהול - Management fee
• ריבית זכות - Interest credit
• ריבית חובה - Interest debit (overdraft)
• החזר שיק - Returned check
• בנקאות ישירה - Direct banking

💡 Common Banking Problems & Solutions

Problem 1: Card Blocked

Symptoms:

• ATM shows "כרטיס נחסם" (kartis nekhsam)
• Card declined everywhere

Solution phrases:

• הכרטיס שלי נחסם (ha'kartis sheli nekhsam) - My card is blocked
• למה הכרטיס נחסם? (lama ha'kartis nekhsam?) - Why is the card blocked?
• איך אני מבטל את החסימה? (eikh ani mevatel et ha'khasima?) - How do I unblock it?
• אפשר לשחרר את הכרטיס? (efshar lesharrer et ha'kartis?) - Can you release the card?

Common reasons:

• 3 wrong PIN attempts
• Suspected fraud
• Card expired
• Foreign transaction flagged

Problem 2: Overdraft/Minus (מינוס)

Understanding overdraft:

• מינוס (minus) - Overdraft (negative balance)
• חריגה (khariga) - Overdraft exceeding
• מסגרת אשראי (misgeret ashrai) - Overdraft limit

Phrases:

"נכנסתי למינוס. כמה הריבית?"
(Nikhnas all minus. Kama ha'ribit?)
"I went into overdraft. How much is the interest?"

"אפשר להגדיל את המסגרת?"
(Efshar le'hagdil et ha'misgeret?)
"Can you increase the limit?"

"רוצה לסגור את החריגה"
(Rotse lisgor et ha'khariga)
"I want to close the overdraft"

Typical overdraft interest: 12-18% annual

Problem 3: Unknown Charges

Disputing charges:

• לא הכרתי את החיוב הזה (Lo hikkarti et ha'khiyuv ha'ze) - I don't recognize this charge
• זה לא אני (Ze lo ani) - That wasn't me
• רוצה לערער על החיוב (Rotse le'arer al ha'khiyuv) - I want to dispute the charge
• אפשר לבדוק מה זה? (Efshar livdok ma ze?) - Can you check what this is?

🏠 Mortgages & Loans

Loan Vocabulary

Hebrew	Transliteration	English
הלוואה	halva'a	loan
משכנתא	mashkanta	mortgage
מחזור	makhzor	refinancing
ריבית קבועה	ribit kvua	fixed interest
ריבית משתנה	ribit mishtana	variable interest
פריים	prime	prime rate
תקופת הלוואה	tkufat halva'a	loan period
החזר חודשי	hakhzar khodshi	monthly payment
קרן	keren	principal
ערבות	arvut	guarantee/collateral

Mortgage Consultation Phrases

Key questions:

• כמה אני יכול ללוות? (Kama ani yakhol lilvoת?) - How much can I borrow?
• מה הריבית? (Ma ha'ribit?) - What's the interest rate?
• לכמה שנים? (Le'kama shanim?) - For how many years?
• כמה ההחזר החודשי? (Kama ha'hakhzar ha'khodshi?) - How much is the monthly payment?
• יש עמלת פירעון מוקדם? (Yesh amlat pir'on mukdam?) - Is there an early repayment fee?

📱 Digital Banking Apps

App Navigation Hebrew

Common menu items:

• בית (bayit) - Home
• עו"ש (oshe) - Checking
• חיסכון (khisakhon) - Savings
• כרטיסי אשראי (kartisei ashrai) - Credit cards
• העברות (ha'avarot) - Transfers
• תשלומים (tashlumim) - Payments
• הלוואות (halva'ot) - Loans
• השקעות (hashka'ot) - Investments
• הודעות (hoda'ot) - Notifications
• הגדרות (hagdarot) - Settings

Setting Up Digital Banking

Initial setup:

1. הורד את האפליקציה (Hored et ha'aplikatsya) - Download app
2. הזן מספר זהות (Hazen mispar zehut) - Enter ID number
3. הזן קוד אישי (Hazen kod ishi) - Enter personal code
4. אמת באמצעות SMS (Amet be'emtsa'ut SMS) - Verify via SMS
5. צור סיסמה (Tsor sisma) - Create password
6. הגדר זיהוי ביומטרי (Hagder zihui biometri) - Set up biometrics

💼 Business Banking Hebrew

Business Account Terms

Hebrew	Transliteration	English
חשבון עסקי	kheshbon iski	business account
עוסק מורשה	osek murshe	licensed business
עוסק פטור	osek patur	exempt business
חברה בע"מ	khevra ba'am	Ltd company
מס הכנסה	mas hakhnasa	income tax
מע"מ	ma'am	VAT
תזרים מזומנים	tazrim mezumanim	cash flow
חשבונית	kheshbonit	invoice
קבלה	kabala	receipt

Talking to business banker:

"אני פותח עסק ומחפש חשבון עסקי"
(Ani pote'akh esek u'mekhapes kheshbon iski)
"I'm opening a business and looking for a business account"

"מה התנאים לעוסק מורשה?"
(Ma ha'tna'im le'osek murshe?)
"What are the conditions for licensed business?"

"יש עמלות על העברות??"
(Yesh amlot al ha'avarot?)
"Are there fees for transfers?"

🎓 Negotiating Fees

Israeli banks are negotiable! Everything can be discussed.

Fee Negotiation Phrases

Opening gambits:

• העמלות גבוהות מדי (Ha'amlot gvohot miday) - The fees are too high
• בבנק אחר הציעו לי יותר טוב (Be'bank akher hitsi'u li yoter tov) - Another bank offered me better
• אני לקוח טוב, מגיע לי תנאים יותר טובים (Ani lakho'akh tov, magia li tna'im yoter tovim) - I'm a good customer, I deserve better terms

Specific requests:

• אפשר לבטל את העמלה החודשית? (Efshar levatel et ha'amla ha'khodshit?) - Can you cancel the monthly fee?
• אפשר לשפר את הריבית? (Efshar leshaper et ha'ribit?) - Can you improve the interest rate?
• מה אתה יכול לעשות בשבילי? (Ma ata yakhol la'asot bishvili?) - What can you do for me?

Leverage points:

• Moving salary to their bank
• Taking out a mortgage
• Opening business account
• Bringing family members
• High deposit amounts

Success rate: 70% of customers who negotiate get better terms!

📊 Banking Fees Chart

Typical monthly fees (negotiable):

Service	Hebrew	Typical Fee
Monthly account	עמלת ניהול חודשית	₪10-30
ATM withdrawal (other bank)	משיכת כספומט חיצוני	₪2-5
International transfer	העברה בינלאומית	₪30-100
Checkbook	פנקס שיקים	₪20-40
Returned check	שיק חוזר	₪50-100
Overdraft interest	ריבית חריגה	12-18%
Foreign transaction	עמלת חו"ל	1.5-2.5%

🌟 Advanced Banking Tips

1. Standing Orders (הוראות קבע)

Types:

• הוראת קבע (hora'at keva) - Standing order (fixed amount)
• חיוב אוטומטי (khiyuv otomati) - Direct debit (variable)

Setting up:

"רוצה להקים הוראת קבע"
(Rotse lehakim hora'at keva)
"I want to set up a standing order"

"לשלם שכירות כל חודש"
(Leshalem sekhirut kol khodesh)
"To pay rent every month"

"ביום ה-1 לחודש"
(Be'yom ha-1 la'khodesh)
"On the 1st of the month"

2. Foreign Currency Accounts

Currency terms:

• דולר (dolar) - Dollar
• יורו (euro) - Euro
• לירה שטרלינג (lira sterling) - Pound sterling
• חשבון מט"ח (kheshbon mat'akh) - Foreign currency account
• המרה (hamara) - Conversion
• שער חליפין (sha'ar khilippin) - Exchange rate

3. Saving Money on Banking

Cost-cutting strategies:

1. Negotiate everything - Banks expect it
2. Use digital banking - Lower fees
3. Consolidate accounts - Better terms
4. Maintain minimum balance - Waived fees
5. Use your bank's ATMs only - Avoid fees
6. Get salary deposited - Special packages

🚨 Emergency Banking Phrases

Lost/Stolen Card

Immediate action:

"הכרטיס שלי אבד/נגנב. צריך לחסום אותו!"
(Ha'kartis sheli avad/nignav. Tsarikh lakhsom oto!)
"My card was lost/stolen. Need to block it!"

"תוכל להנפיק כרטיס חדש?"
(Tukhal le'hanpik kartis khadash?)
"Can you issue a new card?"

"איזה תשלומים היו בימים האחרונים?"
(Eyze tashlumim hayu ba'yamim ha'akhronim?)
"What payments were there in recent days?"

24/7 Emergency numbers: Every bank has them - save in phone as "בנק חירום" (Bank kherum)

Fraud Alert

"חושד בפעילות חשודה בחשבון"
(Khoshed be'fe'ilut khasuda ba'kheshbon)
"I suspect suspicious activity in the account"

"לא אני ביצעתי את התשלומים האלה"
(Lo ani bitsa'ti et ha'tashlumim ha'ele)
"I didn't make these payments"

"רוצה לפתוח תביעה"
(Rotse lifto'akh tvi'a)
"I want to file a claim"

📚 Banking Documents

Common Forms

• טופס פתיחת חשבון (tofes ptikhat kheshbon) - Account opening form
• טופס הצטרפות (tofes hitstarfut) - Enrollment form
• טופס ביטול (tofes bitul) - Cancellation form
• ייפוי כוח (yipui ko'akh) - Power of attorney
• הצהרה (hatsara) - Declaration
• חתימה (khatima) - Signature
• אישור (ishur) - Confirmation

Reading Banking Letters

Letter types:

• הודעת שינוי תנאים (hoda'at shinui tna'im) - Terms change notice
• דף חשבון (daf kheshbon) - Account statement
• הודעת חריגה (hoda'at khariga) - Overdraft notice
• הזמנה לסניף (hazmana le'snif) - Branch invitation
• אישור מס (ishur mas) - Tax document

🎯 Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: ATM Simulation

Practice reading ATM screens:

1. משיכת מזומנים
2. בירור יתרה
3. החזר שיקים
4. הדפסת אחרון

Exercise 2: Phone Banking

Call your bank's automated system and navigate without pressing 9 for English!

Exercise 3: Statement Reading

Get your last statement and identify:

• All debits (חובה)
• All credits (זכות)
• Fees (עמלות)
• Your balance (יתרה)

🌟 Success Stories

Tom, USA → Tel Aviv: "I was paying ₪45/month in fees until I learned the Hebrew to negotiate. Now I pay ₪8 and got better interest rates. Saved over ₪400/year just by knowing these phrases!"

Lisa, UK → Haifa: "ATMs terrified me until I memorized the key Hebrew buttons. Now I can navigate any bank machine in seconds. The confidence boost was massive!"

Alex, Canada → Jerusalem: "Opening my business account in Hebrew showed the bank manager I was serious about staying in Israel. Got much better terms than if I'd used English."

📱 Resources & Tools

Banking Apps to Download

• ביט (Bit) - P2P payments (essential!)
• פייבוקס (Paybox) - Payment splitting
• Your bank's app

Useful Websites

• Bank of Israel (www.boi.org.il) - Official rates
• הגנת הצרכן הבנקאי - Banking customer protection
• Comparison sites - CompareIsrael, Kamaze

Practice Resources

• HebrewGlot Banking Vocabulary Trainer
• Israeli banking YouTube tutorials
• Bank websites (switch to Hebrew)

🎯 Quick Reference Card

Print and carry:

Situation	Hebrew Phrase
I want to withdraw cash	אני רוצה למשוך כסף (Ani rotse limshokh kesef)
What's my balance?	מה היתרה שלי? (Ma ha'yitra sheli?)
Card blocked	הכרטיס נחסם (Ha'kartis nekhsam)
Transfer money	להעביר כסף (Le'ha'avir kesef)
Monthly fee	עמלה חודשית (Amla khodshit)
I want to complain	אני רוצה להתלונן (Ani rotse le'hitlonen)

💡 Final Banking Tips

1. Get everything in writing - "תן לי את זה בכתב" (Ten li et ze bikhtav)
2. Don't be intimidated - Banks need your business
3. Shop around - Visit 3 banks before deciding
4. Use Bit app - Makes payments simple
5. Learn numbers well - Critical for amounts
6. Save emergency numbers - 24/7 hotlines
7. Read statements monthly - Catch errors early
8. Negotiate annually - Terms can always improve

Remember: Israeli banking culture values assertiveness. Don't be afraid to ask, negotiate, and demand better service—in Hebrew!

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Ready to practice? Use our interactive banking scenario trainer: Start Practice

Want more financial Hebrew?

• Hebrew Job Interview Guide
• 100 Everyday Hebrew Phrases
• Business Hebrew: Professional Communication

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בהצלחה עם הבנק! (Good luck with the bank!)

Share your banking success story or questions in the comments! 💰

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to open a bank account in Israel?

Typically your ID/passport, teudat zehut or visa, and proof of address; new immigrants use their teudat oleh. The key phrase is אני רוצה לפתוח חשבון (ani rotse liftoach kheshbon — "I want to open an account").

What's the Hebrew word for "bank account" and "balance"?

חשבון בנק (kheshbon bank) is bank account, יתרה (yitra) is balance, and עובר ושב (over va'shav, often "עו"ש") is a current/checking account.

Are Israeli banks English-friendly?

Major banks often have English-speaking staff and English online banking, especially in big cities. Still, official letters and many forms are in Hebrew, so core banking vocabulary saves you time and avoids costly misunderstandings.

How do I talk about fees and loans in Hebrew?

Useful terms: עמלה (amla — fee), ריבית (ribit — interest), הלוואה (halvaa — loan), and משכנתא (mashkanta — mortgage). Always ask מה העמלות? ("what are the fees?") before signing.

How can I prepare banking Hebrew before a branch visit?

Learn the core nouns and a few request phrases, and write down what you need in advance. Drill the vocabulary in the flashcards trainer and tackle formal phrasing in the advanced trainer.

Related lessons and trainers

• Lesson 15: Formal communication · Lesson 16: Everyday conversation
• Professional vocabulary flashcards · Hard Trainer
• Business Hebrew Guide · Hebrew Job Interview Guide