CRB Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. Which scenario represents a violation of the Certified Retail Banker code of professional conduct? → Misrepresenting qualifications or certification status
2. Which product is best for earning a fixed interest over time? → Certificate of deposit
3. Which metric measures how efficiently a bank turns deposits into loans, indicating its lending activity relative to funding? → Loan-to-Deposit Ratio
4. A bank discovers that an employee has been falsifying loan applications. Under BSA, what must the bank do? → File a SAR with FinCEN within 30 calendar days of detection
5. A customer wants to set up automatic bill payments. Which digital banking feature should a retail banker recommend? → Automated Clearing House (ACH) recurring payment setup
6. In retail banking sales, what does the acronym 'WIIFM' stand for, and why is it important? → What's In It For Me — the customer's perspective that drives their buying decision
7. Under the Truth in Savings Act (TISA), banks must disclose the Annual Percentage Yield (APY) rather than just the interest rate because: → APY reflects the effect of compounding and allows accurate comparison between products
8. Which factor MOST significantly affects the quality of technical outcomes in CRB practice? → The practitioner's training, preparation, and attention to detail
9. Which behavior may indicate potential insider fraud? → Bypassing normal procedures
10. Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), which of the following is a prohibited basis for credit decisions? → Marital status
11. A CRB professional discovers a conflict of interest in a current assignment. What is the MOST ethical course of action? → Disclose the conflict immediately and recuse if necessary
12. A customer reports they cannot access their mobile banking app after a recent update. What is the FIRST step a retail banker should take? → Verify the customer's identity and check for known system issues
13. What does the 'Capital' component of the Five Cs of Credit refer to? → The borrower's assets and net worth that could be used to repay debt
14. What is the first step in the sales process? → Prospecting potential customers
15. Which loan type features fixed monthly payments of equal amounts that fully repay principal and interest by the end of the term? → Fully amortizing loan
16. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), how long may most negative information remain on a consumer's credit report? → 7 years
17. Why is regulatory compliance important in banking? → To avoid legal penalties and maintain trust
18. What is the primary purpose of the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA)? → To require lenders to collect and disclose data on mortgage lending patterns
19. A CRB certified professional is asked to provide services outside their scope of competence. The CORRECT ethical response is to: → Decline and refer to a qualified professional
20. A customer age 68 asks about a product that lets them convert home equity into cash without monthly mortgage payments. What product applies? → Reverse Mortgage
21. Which savings vehicle offers a guaranteed fixed return and is FDIC-insured but penalizes early withdrawal? → Certificate of Deposit
22. When cross-selling banking products, which practice is considered a violation of ethical sales standards? → Opening accounts for customers without their knowledge or consent
23. How does the CRB body of knowledge relate to daily professional practice? → It provides the foundational framework guiding decision-making and standard practices
24. Which type of risk involves the possibility of loss due to system failures? → Operational risk
25. Which approach is MOST important for CRB professionals when applying technical procedures? → Adhering to established protocols while adapting to specific conditions
26. A retail bank discovers that a branch manager has been approving loans for fictitious borrowers and pocketing the proceeds. This is an example of: → Internal fraud operational risk
27. Which federal law requires lenders to disclose the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) and total finance charges to borrowers? → Truth in Lending Act (TILA)
28. Which foundational principle is MOST important for success in Certified Retail Banker? → Commitment to continuous learning, ethical practice, and quality outcomes
29. Which fraud scheme involves criminals convincing bank employees to bypass security procedures through phone calls impersonating regulators or executives? → Pretexting
30. What is the primary purpose of a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) offered through banking/employer benefits? → To pay eligible medical or dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars