Financial transparency glossary

Transparency International believes that it is essential to promote greater transparency, integrity and accountability of financial institutions to avoid another global financial crisis and crack down on corrupt and unethical behaviour. We seek to improve behaviour in financial firms by increasing transparency, embedding a culture of integrity and improving accountability to a broad range of stakeholders. We seek policy and legislative change that makes it more difficult and less attractive to profit from the proceeds of corruption.

Public anger rarely translates into direct consumer action. One reason is that the financial sector is often seen to be very complex. This tool is intended to explain and clarify some of the most crucial terms in clear and plain language.

You can also see our online interactive, the Financial Jargon Buster, which includes animated definitions of the terms.