Down payments (8)
I believe the answer is:
deposits
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">down payments</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">('deposit' can be a synonym of 'down payment')</span><br/ ><br/ >This is the entire clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for deposits that I've seen before include "Despots I find making bank lodgements" , "Matter laid down or money in the bank" , "Lodgements or down payments" , "Lodges in bank" , "Lays down-inbank account?" .)