Listening

Task A
1. A person who saves typically deposits money or other assets into a bank
account, with minimal risk of generating profit (aside from earned interest) or
incurring losses (unless the bank faces financial issues). On the other hand,
investors employ their funds to potentially accumulate wealth over time. While
investors have the opportunity for significantly higher returns, they also face the
risk of experiencing some financial losses.
2. For me: 3, 5, 7

Task B
1. social
2. environmental
3. real economy
4. individuals
5. businesses
6. doing things
7. expertise
8. triple bottom line

Task C
Triodos invests in over 9,500 projects. They cover enormous range of activities.
One such activity is renewable energy. The bank is lending to some of the major
providers in the UK. It is also financing some of the big providers of social
housing, such as Mencap. And it is involved in trading activity, for instance with
organisations like Café Direct, a major fair-trade provider of hot drinks. The bank
provides these organisations with debt funding, so the return is just the interest on
the loan.

Task D
1. Enhanced Transparency: Clearer communication about fees, policies, and
financial products to empower customers with better information.
2. Improved Cybersecurity: Strengthening measures to protect against cyber
threats and ensuring the safety of customers' financial data.
3. Greater Financial Inclusion: Expanding access to banking services for
underserved populations to promote economic inclusivity.
4. Innovations in Technology: Embracing advancements like blockchain and
digital currencies to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and facilitate faster
transactions.
5. Customer-Centric Services: Focusing on improved customer experiences,
user-friendly interfaces, and responsive support to meet evolving consumer
expectations.
6. Ethical Banking Practices: Encouraging responsible and sustainable
financial practices that consider environmental, social, and governance (ESG)
factors.
Task E
Firstly, there is a desire to prioritize banking activities in the tangible economy
rather than developing products and services detached from the core banking
operations. This is based on the demonstrated difficulty for banks to effectively
manage risks when not directly involved with the business.
Secondly, there is a call for the separation of activities resembling investment
banking from commercial banking. This is motivated by the recognition that
investment banking involves higher risks, potentially jeopardizing customers if
banks were to face failure.

Task F
1. Customer
2. Loan
3. Money
4. Savings
5. Deposit
6. Down
Further word partnerships:
1. high-street / piggy / savings
2. Third World / foreign
3. government / mortgage
4. unsecured / student / low-interest
5. market / world
6. insider / invisible / passing / international
Task G
investing investors investment
lend lending loan
deposited deposit deposits
exposed expose exposure

Reading
Task A

1. CEOs of Multinationals: CEOs of multinational companies often receive

high salaries and bonuses due to the significant responsibilities associated
with leading a global organization. Their compensation is typically tied to
the company's performance, shareholder value, and strategic decision-
making.
2. Investment Bankers: Investment bankers are known for earning high
salaries and substantial bonuses. This is primarily because of the complex
financial transactions they handle, the level of expertise required, and the
revenue they generate for their firms through activities such as mergers and
acquisitions, underwriting, and financial advisory services.
Task B
C) The collapse of the financial world because bankers couldn`t count.
Task C
1. Author`s idea. Agree.
2. Author`s idea.
3. The idea does not belong to the author.
4. The idea does not belong to the author.
5. The idea does not belong to the author.
6. Author`s idea. Agree.

Task D

1. are toast
2. folly
3. dividends
4. rampant
5. liquidity
6. colossal
7. the City
8. sitting on the gravy train
9. fuss
10.means curtains
11.go bust
12.shame

Task E
1. continue doing
2. use all of something and not have any left
3. refuse an offer, request or invitation
4. spend a lot of money on something
5. suddenly start being successful
6. pay or give money (literal meaning)
7. give something without asking for any money, rather than selling it to them)
8. not be caught or punished when you have done something wrong; also, get
away with murder
9. cause the collapse of

turn somebody/something down

turn the switch on a machine such as an oven, radio, etc. to produce less heat,
sound
take off; take something off
when an aircraft rises into the air from the ground,
give somebody /something away
give something to someone because you do not want it or need it yourself
get away with something
receive only a small punishment for something
get away
leave a place, especially when this isn't easy
get away from
escape from someone who is chasing you or trying to catch you
bring somebody /something down
reduce something to a lower level
bring down on/upon
make something bad happen to someone, especially yourself or people connected
with you

Task G

1. Notable examples include Lehman Brothers in 2008, which filed for

bankruptcy during the financial crisis. Additionally, in 2020, Wirecard, a
German payment processor, faced a major accounting scandal leading to
insolvency.
2. KPMG Ukraine effectively manages its expenses and cash flows,
demonstrating strong financial stewardship and strategic financial
management practices.
3. Research suggests that an income that covers basic needs, provides financial
security, and allows for discretionary spending on experiences tends to
contribute to higher levels of happiness. For many, an annual income in the
range of $75,000 to $100,000 is often associated with a sense of well-being
and contentment.