current account

In a personal banking context, this term refers to a liquid account designed for high-frequency activity. It is distinguished from a savings account by its primary purpose: facilitating daily spending rather than accumulating interest. In many regions, particularly the UK, this is the standard term for what Americans call a checking account.

In macroeconomics, the term shifts from an individual's tool to a national metric. It tracks the net flow of goods, services, and investment income between a country and the rest of the world. A current account deficit indicates that a nation is spending more on foreign trade than it is earning, necessitating a reliance on foreign capital.