Bank of Internet

For purchases and obtaining cash while traveling, I use www.bankofinternet.com and have for years. The senior (50+) checking account gives me 3.4% interest, free checks and an ATM card where up to $8 a month is reimbursed for fees charged by other banks.

I also use this card for point-of- sale purchases, including hotels and restaurants, because the amounts taken from my bank account are based on the daily exchange rate without the fee of 3% or more charged by most credit card companies.

The only drawback, of course, is that I have to have money in the account and don’t get the “float” period of 20-plus days that I would get with a credit card.

I happen to have a trust account and a regular account and that handles $16 worth of fees. Both members of a couple each could easily have an account and get the same benefit. Accounts are FDIC insured.

I’ve recently given up my local bank accounts except for my credit card. I get cash at a local ATM once a month, and if I have to deposit a paper check, I have a stamped, addressed envelope to use. Otherwise, everything is done electronically.

MERNA STRASSNER

Oakland, CA