Business and Merchandise.

Cheque writing is a thing of the past in Germany, where money is almost always transferred electronically. Internet banking is increasingly popular, far more versatile than for instance in the UK and with the iban system a piece of cake to use.

Merchants and consumers alike still tend to be weary of credit cards, though they are far more widely accepted today than a few years ago. Some set a minimum limit.

Instead, debit cards are often the preferred form of payment, though most minor transactions are carried out in cash. ATMs are naturally everywhere, practically all Germans have one or more bank accounts and, on average, more savings and less debt than consumer-savvy Britons and Americans.