In most wealthy countries, even cash-obsessed Germany, such transactions are done by bank-to-bank transfer, direct debit or, at a minimum, by cheque.

ECONOMIST: Direct debit

Online shoppers complain that Chinese e-tailers require a follow-up phone call or letter to arrange a bank transfer - or a trip to the store to write a check.

CNN: THE E-TAIL REVOLUTION

Since Skrill has country-speicfic payment options from bank transfer to debit cards to mobile payments and pre-paid cards, users are much more likely to buy virtual goods when they see a local payment option they know.

FORBES: Connect

Except that if Bankia has really been strengthened by this financial engineering, then there would have to be a very significant transfer of risk to the European Central Bank - and therefore, by implication, to its shareholders, or the other central banks and taxpayers of the eurozone.

BBC: No magic potion for eurozone banks

Many of the recent customer withdrawals were fueled by a grassroots effort called Bank Transfer Day, in which organizers urged big-bank customers to switch financial institutions on Nov. 5.

WSJ: Customers to Banks: It's You, Not Me

The US and EU have placed restrictions on dealings with Iran's Central Bank - the only official channel for Iranians to transfer money abroad - and Swift, the body that handles global banking transactions, has cut Iran's banks out of its system.

BBC: Iran sanctions disrupt medicine supplies

Depending on your state, you may be able to set up payable-on-death designations on your bank accounts and transfer-on-death designations on your brokerage accounts, vehicle(s), and real estate as a way to make sure assets transfer outside of probate.

FORBES: 5 Non-Romantic But Vital Things to Do This Valentine's Day

Anti-Rabin sentiment among settlers and others opposed to giving up Israeli-occupied land intensified after the prime minister agreed to transfer authority to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

CNN: Rabin's widow leads mourners