Banking used to be painfully slow, and in some ways, it still is. You still have to wait for a check to clear, and you will find most banks keep the same hours that they did years ago. However, now that you can get on your computer and do some of the things you need, many things in the world of banking can work faster. The advantages of Internet Banking are many, but you do have to think about the few downfalls as well. Overall though, it is a step in the right direction.
One of the advantages of Internet banking is that you can see your accounts at any time. Before this type of service, you had to keep meticulous records, but even then, some things would go through and you would not know about it until the next business day. If you get paid on Friday, for example, you may not know when your check clears. That could mean waiting until Monday to get your money. With Internet banking, the advantage is that you can see when it goes through without waiting for the bank to open.
Another of the advantages of Internet banking is the ability to move money from one account to the other in a matter of seconds. This used to be something you had to do over the phone, but it was harder to do. When calling on the phone, you have to enter your account information each time, and the menu to get there could be time consuming. With Internet banking, you simply get into your account with your password and do what needs to be done with a few clicks of the mouse. Depending on your bank, many transfers are instant.
You can also see what charges have gone through, how much interest you may have earned, and you can view your statement online. Those are all great advantages of Internet banking, but there can be problems as well. Your password should be hard to remember, and you have to change it frequently. Most sites are as secure as they can be, but things do happen. If you sign up for Internet banking based on the advantages, talk with your bank representative about the disadvantages, and how to make sure your accounts are kept safe and secure. Most banks have great security measures in place to protect you, but knowing what you can do to remain safe helps to ensure no one can get in and clean you out.
