Sorry to be the ones to tell you, folks, but you're making your bank rich! Like us, you've probably noticed that banks have a fee for everything nowadays–minimum balance fees, ATM fees, service fees, overdraft fees, etc.

And nowadays, there's the whole question of safety, especially for banks involved in mortgages. According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the number of banks at risk of failing has doubled since 2006.

That said, we do believe that commercial banks, savings & loans and credit unions offer you some services you just can't get elsewhere - things such as generous check-writing privileges and 24-hour access to cash. So, we're going to show you how to get the service you need, at a price that's right–without giving up safety.

Getting Top Service From a SAFE Bank

Call us "fuddy-duddies," but we think there's nothing more important than your safety. So, before you even think about choosing bank services and slashing fees, let's make sure your bank is not one of those in danger of failing.

The best way to check the safety of your bank is through Veribanc (800/44-BANKS). They provide ratings on all U.S. federally insured financial institutions in easy to understand reports. You can also request a detailed research and risk analysis.

Another source is Weiss Ratings, now called TheStreet.com Ratings, which also has a free list of the banks it rates the strongest and weakest in the nation.

Smart Money Move: Direct Deposit Gives You A Quick Income Boost
Don't lose interest on your paycheck just because you don't have time to get to the bank. Call your bank or employer's payroll office today and ask them to set up direct deposit. With direct deposit, your check may actually be deposited the day before payday.

Straight Talk Tip: You can even use direct deposit for your Social Security benefit check. Write down the name of your bank, your account number, and your Social Security number. Then call Social Security (800/772-1213) and tell them to set up direct deposit.

A Relationship You Can Live With

The most important thing to remember about your bank is that you want a relationship that will serve you well. You want a real live person you can call when things go wrong, and you want services that meet your needs without costing you an arm and a leg.

Once you've chosen a bank (or found a bank you want to switch to), you should meet with a bank representative in person to open an account. Take their business card, and make sure you can call the banker if you have a problem.

Bank Fees You Can Comparison Shop

There are some fees you can negotiate with your banker. Here are six such fees:

That's just the beginning! If you'd like to learn more about banking and avoiding unnecessary fees, you can do so by clicking here now.