Should you open a bank account online or in person?
Find a bank that suits your needs
If you really value a face-to-face customer experience and are willing to forfeit a higher return on your money for it, then a brick-and-mortar savings account is for you. On the other hand, if you care most about high interest rates and low fees, an online (high-yield) savings account is the better choice.
Online banks are better than traditional banks when it comes to minimizing fees and securing the most competitive rates. These banks also tend to offer superior websites and mobile apps with more features. When it comes to finding a full range of financial services all in one place, traditional banks tend to win out.
If you're deciding whether to open an account at a brick-and-mortar branch or through an online banking portal, think about your own needs and preferences. If in-person interactions and immediate access are more important than checking your bank balance in your pajamas, a conventional bank could be the right choice.
Since you don't have to log in on a third-party app or website, you can rest assured that the process is 100% safe.
One of the main drawbacks of online-only savings accounts is the lack of in-person customer service. While many online banks offer customer support through email, phone, or chat, you won't be able to visit a physical branch for assistance.
- More Account Fees. Traditional banking is normally associated with higher account fees. ...
- Open Accounts In-Branch. You may be required to provide documentation at your local branch to open your first account at a physical bank.
- Lower interest rates.
If they're FDIC-insured, online banks are as safe as traditional brick-and-mortar banks in many ways. You can also take steps as a consumer to ensure your account is as protected as possible when banking online, whether you bank with a brick-and-mortar or an online bank, also called a direct or digital bank.
- Our picks for the best online banks are SoFi Bank, Discover Bank, Ally Bank, Varo Bank, LendingClub, Upgrade, Alliant Credit Union, FNBO Direct, Zynlo Bank and Quorum Federal Credit Union.
- You may get a higher annual percentage yield (APY) compared to traditional banks when you choose an online-only bank.
We chose Ally as one of the best online banks for its competitive rates, low minimum deposit requirements, unique online savings tools and lack of monthly maintenance fees. As a full-service online bank, Ally offers an array of high-APY, low-fee checking and savings products.
Should I switch to an online only bank?
If you want higher rates and lower fees and don't need frequent branch banking services, an online bank may be worth considering. Keep in mind, you can choose to open an online account without giving up an existing account at your local institution.
- Traditional savings accounts. A traditional savings account is essentially a place to hold your money that earns interest. ...
- High-yield savings accounts. ...
- Certificates of deposit. ...
- Money market accounts. ...
- Cash management accounts. ...
- Specialty savings accounts.
![Should you open a bank account online or in person? (2024)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/1ODfr25ysmM/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwE2COADEI4CSFXyq4qpAygIARUAAIhCGAFwAcABBvABAfgB3gOAAugCigIMCAAQARhyIFQoNDAP&rs=AOn4CLAPYUF6uZMFOp5Np1aSTe19ZIW2uA)
Most banks allow U.S. citizens and permanent residents over 18 to open a bank account in person or online. If you aren't a citizen or permanent resident, such as an international student, you may need to visit a branch in person with the appropriate documentation to get started.
- No Actual Branches. ...
- Tech-Related Service Disruptions. ...
- Concerns about Identity Theft and Security. ...
- Deposit Restrictions. ...
- Faster is Not Always More Convenient. ...
- No Relationship with a Personal Banker. ...
- Limited Services Scope. ...
- Possibility of Overspending.
- 1 Higher Chance of Scams. You have a significantly higher chance of being victim to a scam when you use your online banking system and account. ...
- 2 Deposits Can Take Days. ...
- 3 Hidden Fees. ...
- 4 Annual or Monthly Fees. ...
- 5 Identity Theft.
Bank | Best for | Time to apply |
---|---|---|
Capital One | Overall | About 5 minutes |
Wells Fargo | College students | About 5 minutes |
Axos | Rewards checking | About 5 minutes |
Wise | Multi-currency usage | About 5 minutes |
Limited deposit and withdrawal options
Many online banks offer a limited number of deposit-taking ATMs, but if you don't have one of these nearby, you might be out of luck. That's why some people choose to maintain checking accounts at brick-and-mortar banks -- they can transfer cash to these easily.
Traditional banks tend to have more customer support options than their online counterparts. Most in-person banks offer some kind of 24/7 support, and they usually let you contact support through phone, email, and online chat.
As advanced as technology is, you still need to make a trip to a physical bank branch or ATM when cash is involved. According to the GOBankingRates survey, 40% of Americans go to a physical bank branch to cash or deposit checks. In addition, 38% bank in person when they need to make large cash deposits.
Short answer: Yes. Online banks are some of the safest places to store your money. In many ways, they're similar to traditional brick-and-mortar banks. But it's important to follow standard web best practices when banking online.
Which is the best online bank in USA?
- Zynlo.
- Quontic.
- SoFi.
- American Express.
- Ally.
- Laurel Road.
- Capital One.
- Discover.
It is vital to understand the risks and security concerns that come with internet banking, though. Significant security issues include identity theft, fraud, use of weak passwords, phishing attacks, unsecure networks and devices, ignorance, insider threats, and system flaws.
Bank | Forbes Advisor Rating | Products |
---|---|---|
Chase Bank | 5.0 | Checking, Savings, CDs |
Bank of America | 4.2 | Checking, Savings, CDs |
Wells Fargo Bank | 4.0 | Savings, checking, money market accounts, CDs |
Citi® | 4.0 | Checking, savings, CDs |
Some online banks participate in ATM networks. If your online bank is one of them, you can deposit cash at the closest ATM. Once you've found an ATM, take your cash to the ATM, fill out a deposit slip with your account information, and put the money into the deposit envelope.
- JPMORGAN CHASE. Member FDIC.
- U.S. BANK. ...
- PNC BANK. ...
- CITIBANK. ...
- WELLS FARGO. ...
- CAPITAL ONE. ...
- M&T BANK CORPORATION. ...
- AGRIBANK.