Cashless Society: Have you embraced internet banking?

 

Have you embraced internet banking?

The internet has revolutionized banking and personal finance in many ways and most bank customers are familiar with online or internet banking services. Surprisingly however, many people even though equipped with internet access have not yet signed on. Whatever the reason may be that you have not yet embraced your banks internet banking service, here are some compelling reasons to do so.

Bank at your convenience

Nowadays, we are all so busy in our work lives, that there often isn�t the time to visit the bank. With internet banking, you can carry out most of your routine banking transactions at your convenience. As you are not bound by the banks� opening and closing hours and don�t have to physically visit the bank, if you have internet access, you can check your account balances, pay bills, make transfers, and manage your various accounts with a few simple clicks from your laptop or computer, your i-pad, or even your cell phone.

With this service you can plan to pay your bills on line and on time. Most households have routine bills to pay each month such as telephone, internet, cable television and so on. The process of writing a check and sending it to the same company every month can be inconvenient; with your online bill payment facility, you can schedule your payments easily and save yourself valuable time.

Some service providers in environments where online banking is widely used, are able to offer better terms such as slightly higher interest rates on savings accounts and lower service charges. This is because internet banking is cheaper to maintain than the traditional bricks and mortar with attendant high overheads.

As with any service there are tradeoffs and it is important to be aware of some of the pitfalls of internet banking.

Learning difficulties?

Some people avoid using Internet banking services because they find it difficult to understand, particularly some members of the older generation struggle who may with technology issues and find it difficult to adapt.The signing on process is usually quite simple; you are expected to provide some form of identification, to complete a form and forward it to your bank. Thereafter all you have to do is to simply visit the banks website and log on to your account after establishing some security measures including a username and password.

Bank websites can sometimes be difficult to navigate at first and some users might find them confusing and abandon them from the outset. Getting acquainted with the banking sites software may require some time and effort for you to get comfortable.

Banks must periodically upgrade their websites or may even change them entirely, by adding new features to enhance the site. This naturally leads to some down time as the changes are being implemented. Most bank websites do give some guidance by providing some basic tutorials to walk you through the process.

Security concerns

In spite of its growing popularity, there are still many people who feel unable to trust the system. Even though internet banking sites are usually heavily encrypted, one cannot rule out the fact that from time to time even in the largest global banks, sophisticated �hackers" may gain access. In addition to the security that your bank will provide, it is useful for you have some security software on your computer to reduce the chance of your account information being compromised.

The personal touch

Internet banking can be somewhat impersonal and not everyone is ready to give up the bank tellers� window, or forfeit the bank manager�s smile. Some people prefer to relate to a human being and are uncomfortable dealing with a machine. With a brick-and-mortar bank, you are likely to have some familiarity with the bank staff. If you are the kind of person that needs to enjoy the personal touch then you may never feel completely comfortable with virtual banking. However for your most basic transactions such as bill paying and small transfers it still makes sense to handle such transactions on line and then go into your branch for the more significant matters.

Some institutions have developed a seamless customer friendly service. For others sadly, you may experience appalling service, ranging from a website that is difficult to navigate, frequent server downtime and so on, much like the variations in customer service from bank to bank.

Clearly, the whole concept of internet or online banking has its pros and cons. If unlimited access to your bank accounts and convenience is high up on your list of banking priorities, then internet banking is ideal for you; for those who have signed on, banking online helps them organize and manage their financial lives efficiently. For others however, it continues to be intimidating and complex. The truth is that the internet provides us with endless opportunities in our personal finances and it is important not to be left behind. Embrace internet banking now.

source:moneymatterswithnimi.com