[hoosierpearl]

Regarding Katrina and direct deposit, they would still have problems getting their money. Banks close if there is no electricity. It would solve some problems but not all the disaster problems.
I do like direct deposit, the money gets there at midnight, I can transfer electronically between accounts. It helps and saves me a trip to the bank. The bank is open only when I have to work, most of the time.

[snugs]

Same here I like payment into my account. Though I am lucky I do not work Saturday and Barclays in Ashford are actually open all day Saturday.

I forget of course that each State would probably have their own banks of course in the UK they are national banks so if Ashford was without electricity and I was in Birmingham I could draw money out without any problems because all the records of my account would be central and if that went down they should be able to re-route to another centre.

I forget the vast size of the US and that each State is almost like another country.