Intro -- Title Page -- Foreword -- PART ONE -- Are all banks bastards? -- The introduction of a sales culture -- Bankers' guilt - who does it belong to? -- Sentence announced - self-imposed -- Lending Practices -- General ledger systems that allow for fraud -- Outsourcing - a dirty four-letter word -- Are all banks the same? -- Beating the banks, or becoming a member of the 20/80 club -- What does it cost to serve? -- Have you arrived at the answer? -- PART TWO -- How to beat the banks by understanding how they work -- The tricks -- Mortgage brokers - why do you need one? Or do you? -- Did your bank decline your loan? Find out why - the basics of personal lending -- Can you be free of bank fees? -- Ever been short-changed by an ATM? What you should do if this happens -- Home & -- land packages - pitfalls -- How can you avoid this? -- Safe custody - Car 54, where are you? -- Thinking of starting your own business? Or how not to go broke within the first six months of trading -- An example of how not to succeed -- What to do if you are having financial difficulties with a bank/financial institution -- The only way to use a credit card -- Did you know that banks can, and often do, give ex-gratia payments for varying complaints? Know your rights and how to benefit from that knowledge -- How to pay off your home loan faster without being charged exorbitant fees for fancy software or fancy calculators -- Moving home loans between banks/mortgage brokers/financiers -- Can banks negotiate a partial payout on outstanding debts as full reimbursement? -- Deceased depositors - what to do if you have a joint bank account or if your loved one has an account in the sole name - access to safe custody packets/boxes -- What to do if your keycard is 'snaffled' by an ATM -- Looking for the right account -- Questions answered - home loans.