bank reference

Meanings

1. 1nouncountablebusinessfinance

   A formal statement from a bank about a person's or company's financial reliability, often used when renting or applying for credit.

   Grammar: Countable; use 'a bank reference' for one, or 'bank references' for several. Often followed by 'from' a bank or 'for' a person.

   Patterns

   • a bank reference from a bank
   • a bank reference for someone
   • provide a bank reference
   • request a bank reference

   The landlord asked for a bank reference before signing the lease.

   She provided a bank reference to show she could pay the rent.

   The company requested a bank reference from its new supplier.

2. 2nouncountablebusinessfinance

   A number or code that identifies a particular bank transaction or account, used to track payments.

   Grammar: Countable; often used in the phrase 'bank reference number' or 'bank reference code'. Usually appears on invoices and transfer forms.

   Patterns

   • bank reference number
   • quote a bank reference
   • include a bank reference

   Please quote your bank reference number when paying the invoice.

   The bank reference on the statement helped us trace the missing payment.

   Write the bank reference in the box provided on the form.

Word forms

Common combinations

provide a bank reference

You may need to provide a bank reference when applying for a loan.

request a bank reference

The estate agent will request a bank reference from your bank.

bank reference number

The bank reference number is printed at the top of your statement.

a bank reference from

We need a bank reference from a recognized financial institution.

a bank reference for

She obtained a bank reference for her visa application.

Synonyms and how they differ

financial reference

A broader term that can come from any financial institution, not only a bank.

credit reference

Focuses specifically on a person's or company's credit history and score, while a bank reference is a general statement of financial standing.

Word family

bank noun

The financial institution that issues the reference.

reference noun

A statement about someone's character or ability, often from a previous employer.

Commonly confused: bank reference or bank statement?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “bank reference”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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