Far up in Belgium, there exists a bank where people borrow and deposit time instead of money. The Time banking is primarily based on personal time exchange. The two sides, depositor and borrower, are matched to help each other.
They just need to register online, and state what they can do and how much time they can spare for others, then their time is deposited. And those who are in need can register to be the borrower easily.
The administrator of the bank is responsible for the contact of the two sides. For example, if you spend an hour to help your neighbor, you will have an hour of "deposits", so when you in need you can receive help from others for an hour.
By this way, people can not only solve their own problems but also have more contact with others. This approach was initially meant for the disabled and vulnerable groups.
In addition to individuals, companies can also use the time bank, however need to pay fees and sign a contract with the bank. What's more, the companies should state how many staffs are willing to provide services, how much time they can supply and their field of expertise. Then the bank will look for the borrower targeted and arrange specific activities.
The time provider company needs to settle down the time and the place to serve without unreasonable absence.


在比利时，有一种不跟钱打交道的银行，人们存借的不是金钱而是时间。时间银行主要是一种以个人为基础的时间交换，存借双方经过配对，实现互助。

人们只需在网上登记注册，说明自己能为他人做些什么，以及可以提供多少时间，便可将自己的时间储存起来。反之，需要帮助的人也是通过简单的注册成为借方。

时间银行管理员负责统筹安排联络。比如，一个人帮助邻居做了一件事花费了一小时，这个人便有一个小时的"存款"，此人在需要的时候也会得到其他人花费一小时为他（她）做一件事情。

这种方式既解决了一时之需，也使得人们之间有更多的往来。这一做法最初只是针对一些残障、弱势人群。


除了个人志愿者之外，公司企业也能利用时间银行。注册时间银行的企业、团体通常需要交纳一定的费用，还要签合同。企业在注册过程中，需要说明大概多少员工愿意在哪个领域投入多少时间。随后，银行方面将针对需求寻找借方，并安排具体活动。

时间提供方需要与银行签订合同，安排好活动的时间和地点，不能无故缺席。

• deposit [di´pɔzit] vt.存放，存储 n.存款 (初中英语单词)
• register [´redʒistə] n.&v.登记簿 (初中英语单词)
• responsible [ri´spɔnsəbəl] a.尽责的；责任重大的 (初中英语单词)
• contact [´kɔntækt] n.接触；联系 v.联络 (初中英语单词)
• addition [ə´diʃən] n.加；加法；附加物 (初中英语单词)
• willing [´wiliŋ] a.情愿的，乐意的 (初中英语单词)
• absence [´æbsəns] n.不在，缺席；缺乏 (初中英语单词)
• belgium [´beldʒəm] n.比利时 (高中英语单词)
• specific [spi´sifik] a.具体的；特有的 (高中英语单词)
• banking [´bæŋkiŋ] n.银行业 (英语四级单词)
• primarily [´praimərəli, prai´merəli] ad.首先；主要地 (英语四级单词)
• unreasonable [ʌn´ri:zənəbl] a.不合理的；荒唐的 (英语四级单词)
• administrator [əd´ministreitə] n.管理者，行政人员 (英语六级单词)