Three Services People Don't Know They Can Get From Their Bank for Free

Banks aren't just a necessary place to stash your cash, they serve a deep community purpose. They offer financing for businesses and major purchases, like a car or a house, as well as a long list of other financial services. Many of those services cost money in the form of fees-but most banks offer at least a few free services that you should definitely be taking advantage of.

Here are three useful services you can probably get from yours for free (and if your bank doesn't offer them, maybe it's time to look for one that does.)

Financial planning

Managing your money can be a complex and confusing job if you're not a numbers person (or even if you are), so having a professional review your financial situation and offer advice and strategies can be invaluable. And expensive-fees for financial planners can run into the thousands each year.

One way to avoid those fees is to find out if your bank offers financial planning services. While you usually have to have a certain amount of money in the bank in order to qualify to use them, they might still be free in the sense that there's no extra fee to take advantage of a consultation. Not every bank does this, but many of the larger banks allow you to sit down and consult with a financial advisor who can help you figure out investments, retirement accounts, and savings strategies at no cost. If you're not sure how to handle your money, it might be worth making a phone call or stopping in at your local branch to see if they offer financial planning at no extra cost.

Notary services

A notary is one of those things you don't think about until you need one, and when you need one, it's almost impossible to find one that's nearby and available. When that day comes, you should call your bank, because many banks have at least one person on their staff who is a certified notary. Notaries aren't terribly expensive-fees range from $5 to $25 depending on the service you need and where you live-but if you don't have to pay a fee because your bank offers the services to its customers, why would you pay it?

Currency exchanges

If you're traveling, you'll want to exchange currency before you leave in order to avoid extra costs and inconvenience. Your bank is almost always going to be the cheapest place to do so, and if you exchange a certain amount of money (typically $1,000 or more) they'll even do it for free. Some banks don't even have an amount limit-PNC Bank will exchange currency for its customers with no fee, for example. If you're going on a trip and need some local money, it's worth checking if your bank will do this for you for free.

This isn't an exhaustive list, and your bank may offer additional free services (the startup online bank Varo, for example, offers free tax filing services), so it's worth investigating and taking advantage of everything you can.