I hear people who live in Italy speak of bank accounts kept at the post office. My elderly mother-in-law in Italy pays her bills, has her pension deposited, and withdraws cash "alla posta". What would this correspond to in the US? Is it a savings account? Does it pay interest? How does it compare to an account at a bank?
I'm asking because my wife, who is Italian, wants us to open an account "alla posta" for when we retire there in a couple of years. I'd like to know more about what this actually is. (My wife is a little short on details.)