Bank United, the largest independent bank in Florida, failed this week. This is going to cost taxpayers roughly $5 billion. After the recent stress tests, it appears lots of smaller banks, ones that don't fall into the too-big-to-fail category, may not make it -- and we'll all be left holding the bill.

What if you are a depositor in a bank that ends up being seized this summer? The FDIC is extending the $250K insurance coverage for several more years, so while your deposit will be safe, the money you earn on that investment is subject to change. The acquirer of your bank may decide to change rates on your existing CDs, for example. While that may seem like a rip off, remember that it wasn't the acquirer who entered into a contract with you initially. The good news is you won't lose your seed money-- just the earning power that money may have originally had.