Online Money Tips: Online Banking 101

Lesson 1: Online Banking 101

Online banking 101

Perhaps you’ve heard people talking about online banking, but you weren’t sure if it’s for you. Online banking is very common nowadays, and it’s very easy to set up! In this article, we’ll show you how to get started.

What is online banking?

Simply put, online banking means using a computer or mobile device to transfer money, pay bills, view your account balance, or do almost any other banking activity. Generally, if you already have a bank account, you’ll want to set up online banking with the same bank. Most well-known banks make it easy to do this from your home computer.

Image of phone and money

Advantages of online banking

Online banking has many advantages:

It’s usually free, and it can even save you money. By paying bills online, you won’t have to buy as many stamps.
You’ll make fewer trips to the bank, which can save you time.
You don’t have to worry about getting to the bank before they close—online banking can be done any time of day or night!
Many banks also have mobile apps for smartphones and tablets, so you can make transfers or check your balance when you’re on the go.

Disadvantages of online banking

On the other hand, it does have some disadvantages:

Not all payments can be made online. You may still have to write some checks for rent or other payments.
If you don’t have an Internet connection at home, it may not be convenient for you.
Some online banks may not have brick-and-mortar locations, which may make it more difficult if you have a problem with your account.

Image of mobile phone without Internet connection

Getting started with online banking

If you decide you’re interested in online banking, here are a few steps you’ll want to take to get started:

Google the name of your bank to find its website.
Create an online account. Even if you already have a bank account, you’ll need to create a user name and password so you can log in. Make sure to choose a strong password—you don’t want strangers accessing your bank account!
Once you create an account and log in, familiarize yourself with the different options. Most banks allow you to check your account balance, transfer money between accounts, view bank statements, and much more.
If you have a mobile device, download your bank’s app, then log in with the same user name and password you created earlier.
See if your bills can be paid online. Chances are, most (if not all) of your utility companies allow you to set up online bill payments. You can also set up automatic payments to ensure your bills are paid on time.
Set up direct deposit for paychecks. Many workplaces can deposit your paychecks directly into your account each pay period.

That’s it! Now that your online banking is set up, you can begin enjoying its many advantages.

Image of woman with computer