The Bank Book

Discusses credit, mortgages and savings accounts, criticizes unfair banking practices, and tells how to negotiate a loan

Mrkvicka, a former bank CEO, promises "I am going to show you how and why the banks are ripping you off." Does he ever. He shows how banks are the consumer's financial enemy. Avoid adjustable rate mortgages at all costs, he says, and don't get locked out of accelerated principal payments, since term is just as important as interest rate. He exposes the "escrow rip-off"; and shows how to have a home "free" after 29 years. He advises finding out how credit card and savings account interest rates are calculated and notes that some bank "services" (cashier checks, overdrafts) earn them a rate of 2000 percent. He discusses how consumers can fight back and gives addresses and phone numbers of where to turn to resolve specific disputes. Every library should have this eye-opening book.
- Alex Wenner, Indiana Univ. Lib., Bloomington
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.