TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The FCUL Service Group, Inc. has teamed upwith foreign currency provider eZforex to lend a hand tointernational travelers who need foreign exchange services.

According to the Office of Travel & Tourism Industries, thetotal number of United States travelers to internationaldestinations in 2006 was more than 30 million. While travelingabroad, consumers spend between $1,400 and $3,500 in cash andcredit card purchases in a two-week time period, and failing toexchange currency beforehand can get expensive for travelers.

According to FCUL Service Group, by implementing eZforex incredit unions, members can avoid high fees and conversion ratesfrom debit and credit card companies, ATMs, banks, airports,hotels, and other currency exchange outlets. Withdrawing just $100from an ATM in a foreign country can incur up to a 9% currencyconversion rate (including fees), and most credit cards charge atleast 3%.

eZforex offers non-interest income from selling foreign currencyand competitive exchange rates based on wholesale rates in a creditunion's surrounding area. In addition, members may opt to returnunused foreign currency at the same rate of exchange as originallypurchased; thus alleviating substantial losses when returning.