Online banking, also known as internet banking or web banking, is an electronic payment system that enables customers of a bank or other financial institution to conduct a range of financial transactions through the financial institution’s website. The online banking system will typically connect to or be part of the core banking system operated by a bank and is in contrast to branch banking which was the traditional way customers accessed banking services.
Some banks operate as a “direct bank” (or “virtual bank”), where they rely completely on internet banking.
Internet banking software provides personal and corporate banking services offering features such as viewing account balances, obtaining statements, checking recent transactions, transferring money between accounts, and making payments.
Features:
- Check the account statement online.
- Open a fixed deposit account.
- Pay utility bills such as water bill and electricity bill.
- Make merchant payments.
- Transfer funds.
- Order for a cheque book.
- Buy general insurance.
- Recharge prepaid mobile/DTH.
Advantages
Easy to Operate: Using the services offered by online banking is simple and easy. Many find transacting online a lot easier than visiting the branch for the same.
Availability: You can avail the banking services round the clock throughout the year. Most of the services offered are not time-restricted; you can check your account balance at any time and transfer funds without having to wait for the bank to open.
Convenience: You need not leave your chores behind and go stand in a queue at the bank branch. You can complete your transactions from wherever you are. Pay utility bills, recurring deposit account instalments, and others using online banking.
Activity Tracking: When you make a transaction at the bank branch, you will receive an acknowledgement receipt. There are possibilities of you losing it. In contrast, all the transactions you perform on a bank’s internet banking portal will be recorded. You can show this as proof of the transaction if need be. Details such as the payee’s name, bank account number, the amount paid, the date and time of payment, and remarks if any will be recorded as well.
Time Efficient: You can complete any transaction in a matter of a few minutes via internet banking. Funds can be transferred to any account within the country or open a fixed deposit account within no time on netbanking.
Disadvantages
- Technology issues
- Security issues
- Inefficient at complex transactions
- No relationship with personal banker
- Inconvenient to make deposits