What's in your wallet? Probably not a wad of cash which is starting to become an endangered species. It is more likely to be a selection of those convenient cards.

With that comes an increase in use of cards at overseas ATMs. Both the Bank of Butterfield and Bank of Bermuda have seen an increase in cash withdrawals from foreign banks despite a service charge.

A Bank of Butterfield spokesperson said: "Bank of Butterfield has seen steady growth in cash withdrawals at overseas ATMs and debit card purchases overseas, both increasing by over 20 percent between 2002 and 2003."

The spokesperson added: "In addition to transactions made by travelling customers, a portion of the increase represents the growth in online shopping and students overseas making payments or withdrawals from their accounts in Bermuda."

Over the last year the Bank of Bermuda has seen a 15 percent increase of card usage, said media relations manager Karen Madeiros.

Bank of Bermuda's service charge is 1.5 percent of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum fee of $2.50.

"Customers recognise the convenience of withdrawing cash on demand from ATMs world-wide and are willing to pay for the service," she added.

Ms Madeiros said that the Bank of Bermuda had noticed an increase in the number of its customers carrying cards instead of cash.

And she explained the rationale: "Firstly, with the convenience of using cards at ATMs there is no need to carry around a large amount of cash and be concerned with security or losing it. Secondly, people can use their cards to make direct purchases, rather than having to carry around cash for purchases."