Sure I could do that. That's how I ended up with a Honda Civic. I can also ask my friends if they like Bank Of America or CitiBank or whatever; but to truly understand the health of a bank... I'd need a degree or something.

No, you just go to a bank that maintains 100% fractional reserves (if you don't wan't to take on additional risk)

No degree required.

Easier said that done apparently... http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?148961-Any-Full-...

I'm having trouble understanding how such a bank would be profitable; assuming banks need to be profitable to justify their existence.

They're not profitable because of the existence of fdic insurance.

> They're not profitable because of the existence of fdic insurance.

Even without FDIC insurance a bank with 100% fractional reserve couldn't be profitable (or even operate), unless accounts had negative interest rates, as it couldn't loan money out from deposits to earn revenue.