No excuse not to bank online

If you work full time, finding a slot in the day to get to a branch and carry out your banking in branch can prove extremely difficult and can eat away at any time away from your day job. If you’re unable or unwilling to use your Saturday to visit your bank or building society, your options become severely stretched. The internet is about as ubiquitous as possible, and with online banking facilities available for the simplest of current accounts, there really is little excuse not to bank online.For instance, paying any bill, be it utility, phone or credit card, over the phone can be a long and expensive process, leaving you at the mercy of an annoying holding jingles and hugely expensive 0845 numbers. Setting up bills by direct debit through online banking means you can rest easy in the knowledge your bills will leave your account at a time that suits you every month (e.g. just after you’ve been paid), without the risk of forgetting or without having to jump through hoops to do so, both of which can be costly.For those on a strict budget, using the internet to manage your personal finances can prove to be a Godsend. Only the most financially fastidious among us will be able to accurately keep abreast of their spending, balance and bills situation in their head. Online banking sets this information out in way that is easily understandable and can be accessed at a few touches of a button.It is the same principle for transferring money to other people’s accounts. Even family or friends that bank with different providers should find their accounts funded within a couple of hours of a transaction – a process far more efficient than a cheque. This can be useful for you if you run a small business or have children working away from home or at university.People are right to be cautious with their details; nobody wants to be in the nightmare scenario where they find themselves hundreds of pounds short because fraudsters have managed to snare their account information. The good new is that the banks have spent handsomely on secure systems to protect your vital information. To ensure real peace of mind, your home computer should be equipped with up to date anti-virus software and a firewall that is switched on.There will always come a time when a visit to a branch is necessary, such as applying for a mortgage or sitting down with a financial adviser. But for the day to day basics of banking, utilising technology  for online banking and internet operated accounts provides a level of convenience and ease that can save time and, perhaps, money.