CBT Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CBT facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is 'escheatment' in banking? → The transfer of unclaimed property (like dormant account funds) to the state government
2. Under the Expedited Funds Availability Act (Regulation CC), how quickly must banks make funds from local checks available? → Next business day
3. What type of financial product is best for short-term saving goals? → Savings account
4. Which procedure is correct when receiving a cash shipment from an armored carrier? → Verify and count the shipment under dual control, then fully document the receipt
5. What does 'FDIC insurance' cover per depositor per insured bank? → Up to $250,000 per depositor per ownership category per insured bank
6. Which of the following is a MICR line element found at the bottom of a US check? → Routing/transit number
7. What is the best practice for preventing errors when handling cash deposits? → Count the cash in front of the customer
8. When should a bank teller perform a cash count during their shift? → At the beginning, end, and during breaks
9. When a check is returned due to insufficient funds (NSF), who is typically charged the NSF fee? → The account holder who wrote the check
10. Why is it important to maintain a friendly tone throughout a customer interaction? → It encourages customer loyalty
11. What is the most effective way for a teller to handle an irate customer? → Stay calm and listen actively
12. What is a 'certified check'? → A personal check guaranteed by the bank after verifying and setting aside funds
13. Which of the following is a sign of active listening? → Nodding and summarizing key points
14. When a customer wants to change the primary address on their account, what should the teller require? → Verification of the customer's identity before making any changes to account information
15. A customer brings in $4,000 in cash to purchase a money order. Under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) recordkeeping rules, what is the teller's primary obligation? → Obtain and record identification from the customer.
16. Which IRS form do banks use to report interest income of $10 or more paid to a customer in a calendar year? → Form 1099-INT
17. What should a teller do if they notice a suspicious transaction pattern? → Report it to the compliance officer
18. Which federal law governs the check clearing process and establishes the rules for substitute checks in the US? → Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act (Check 21)
19. What does overdraft protection do? → Covers shortfalls in account balance
20. When verifying the authenticity of a U.S. $20 bill, which security feature should a teller look for when holding the note up to a light source? → A faint watermark of Andrew Jackson's portrait.
21. Why should tellers avoid multitasking while handling cash? → It reduces errors in cash handling
22. Which of the following is a primary characteristic of a standard Certificate of Deposit (CD)? → Funds are committed for a fixed term and early withdrawals typically incur a penalty.
23. What is a primary benefit of a Certificate of Deposit (CD)? → High interest rate for fixed term
24. What information is required on a check for it to be considered a valid negotiable instrument under the UCC? → Unconditional order to pay, specific dollar amount, and maker's signature
25. What is the most accurate way to verify a cash drawer's balance at the end of a shift? → Physically count cash and match system total
26. What is a 'stale-dated' check? → A check older than 6 months that a bank may refuse to honor
27. What is the primary purpose of a signature card in banking? → To provide a record of authorized signers for verifying transactions on the account
28. How should a teller respond if they don’t know the answer to a customer’s question? → Admit you don’t know and find the answer
29. When ordering cash from the Federal Reserve, what information must a bank provide? → The denomination breakdown and total dollar amount required
30. What is a 'restrictive endorsement' on a check? → Writing 'For Deposit Only' with your account number