While it’s true that being able to express yourself in French is a huge advantage for newcomers to French-speaking Canada, we mustn’t forget that an ocean separates the two continents. Writer George Bernard Shaw described England and the United States as “divided by the same language”. This quote applies perfectly to France and Quebec. In Quebec vocabulary, certain words differ from French in France, and financial terms are no exception to the rule.

If we were talking about money

Some words in Quebec’s vocabulary derive from the English-speaking world and sometimes from Old French. The following list is not complete.

• dollars (pronounced “piasse”) popular expression from the name of an old coin, referring to the Canadian dollar: I spent 1000 piastres to have my tank (car) repaired.

• Exchange year = money: Do you have change for a 20 note?

• Expensive = darling: Gas (petrol) is becoming more and more expensive.

• Pay cash = in cash: Only cash is accepted in this shop. We also say “pay in cash” or “in money”.

• Make money, make money = Earn money: with such a job he must earn a lot of money.

• Cheating on his wages = spend badly, burn your money: iI should save instead of flaunting his money for nonsense.

• Burden = charge something: How much do you charge per hour?

• The invoice or the bill = it’s quite simply a question from the restaurant to the bill: “Could we please have the bill (the bill)? “.

The world of banking

• Maps: Switch from one map in France to two in Quebec

The debit card : when paying at the cash register and unless you deposit Cash, You will inevitably be asked, “Credit or direct debit? “. These are the two types of payment cards. With the debit card, the amount of your purchase is immediately withdrawn from your bank account. Accepted almost everywhere, your bank’s debit card now serves as cash. It’s also used to withdraw cash from an ATM (we However, if you do not have enough funds in your account to make your purchase, the transaction will be declined if not overdraft protection.

Credit card The Canadian card differs significantly from the so-called French “blue” card. After the monthly statement has been issued, you usually have 21 days (grace period) to refund your credit card. If you pay the entire amount due anytime before the due date shown on the monthly statement, you will not pay any interest on your purchases. Online payments from your bank account can be made quickly and easily using your mobile device. Otherwise interest will be charged and charged to your account.

See the National Bank of Canada article for more information Debit card vs Credit card, what are the differences?.

• Creditworthiness is calculated based on several variables such as usage of available credit, experts suggest usage of 30% of credit limit. Your payment habits, i.e. the strictness with which you pay off your debts or loans, also have an effect. If you fail to meet certain obligations or make payments late, it will damage your “credit score”. and will make your borrowing more difficult. A good history and good credit can make it easier for you to get a loan.

• Credit limit matches, to the maximum amount of credit that can be used on your credit card. You will be credited with an amount of your choice for each card credit report. Be careful not to multiply them too much, though, because you almost need an accountant to do the monthly household billing. However, remember that someone who pays their balances on time will never pay interest.

• Line of Credit is approaching the French overdraft. If the amount of a transaction exceeds your account balance, your financial institution transfers your line of credit (who is also negotiated with his banker) to cover the difference. In Quebec we no longer speak of agios but of interests. The home equity line of credit can be a more flexible way of borrowing to buy a home, but at a variable rate tied to the Bank of Canada’s base rate.

• ATM (Automated Teller Machine) is the equivalent of the French ATM (Automatic Cash Dispenser). Please note that you will be billed through a different bank’s ATM than yours. And if you use private ATMs (in some shops and bars), both your bank and the ATM will charge you.

• Payment interactive^md*. The transfer interactive^md is an online banking service that allows you to easily send money to a beneficiary via their email address (mail) or phone number. Both parties must have a Canadian bank account with a participating financial institution. This process may incur fees if they are not included in your banking package.

• The sample control is in fact a RIB (Bank Identity Statement). As a matter of fact, your bank details can be found at the bottom of your checks or in your online account. See the article for more information Understand the Canadian banking system.

* ® registered trademark of Interac Inc. Used under license.

payment interactive is a registered trademark of Interac Corp. Used under license.

Legal notice: The National Bank of Canada is not an authorized bank in France.