I 'm surprised these days by how often people tell me they're keeping their savings in a major walk-in bank that's paying just half a percent or less interest. When I point out that online banks typically have savings rates that are many times higher than those of their brick and mortar counterparts, I'm often rebuffed. The most common reason I'm given is that walk-in banks simply are more convenient, providing such benefits as free local ATMs, in-person access to real human beings and even coin counting. Certainly there are good reasons to have a local bank. But it's not an either-or choice. As I point out in this  Consumer Reports story , it can make a lot of sense to have a walk-in bank or credit union for checking, ATMs and other benefits, as well as one or more online banks for their high rates on savings accounts and certificates of deposit. Indeed, many online banks actually require depositors to maintain an external checking account – most likel...