7 More Secrets from Your Bank

Discover more little-known secrets of banks and banking and get smarter with your money.

Also see: The 13 Things Your Bank Won't Tell You

1. Online banking is pretty safe, but it could be better, according to researchers at the University of Michigan. They studied 214 financial-institution websites and found design flaws in 76 percent of them, including banks redirecting users to less-secure sites.

2. Read the fine print, ask us to explain the terms, and get the details in writing before you sign anything.

3. Many banks will permit you to withdraw more money than you have on deposit at the ATM, but they'll charge you about $34 for the privilege.

4. You have to admit that applying for a business loan and calling yourself a "financial consultant" sounds a little shady.

5. If you’re using your ATM card for debit transactions, ask your bank what kind of protection it offers if the card is stolen or lost. Thousands of dollars could be pulled from your checking account and, in many cases, you wouldn't be nearly as protected as you would be with a stolen credit card, says Bach.

6. Before you sign up for a bank-issued credit card, ask if it has a "universal default clause"—what Bach calls "the ultimate poison clause in credit cards." If it does, run for the nearest exit. It allows the bank to look through all your credit accounts, and if it sees that you're late paying a bill on another card, it gets to jack up the interest rate on its card. "How about that for a scam!"says Bach.

7. You can get practically any fee waived if you ask, especially if you're a longtime customer.

• Personal Finance
• • Ways to Save

• 13 Things Your Bank Won't Tell You
• Get smarter about banking with tips from the financial services industry.
• 
• 13 Things Your Car Mechanic Won't Tell You
• Real mechanics give you the inside scoop on the tricks of the trade.
• 
• 13 Things Your Computer Person Won’t Tell You
• Expert share their best computer tips -- from how to protect your PC to how to fix common problems.
• 
• 13 Things Your Pharmacist Won't Tell You
• What to bear in mind the next time you visit the pharmacy counter.
• 

It's easy to get separated when shopping at a large store. So when a co-worker of mine was asked by a woman to please page her missing husband, he gladly obliged. Loud and clear over the PA system, he announced, "If there is a Rich Hooker in the store, please come to the customer-service desk. Your party is waiting for you."

-- Kelly O’Neil