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In a continuously developing world, more and more companies are turning to technology to assist with performance or perform their services entirely. The self-checkout at various stores has become very abundant, delivery services make it reasonable never to have to leave the house, and banking has undoubtedly played its part in adapting to the times.  While we know there will always be people who prefer a traditional, in-person method for their banking and shopping, we can’t help but point out some benefits of present-day online banking.

Let’s start with some obvious points: Is online banking safe?  Can I do it if I’m not very tech-savvy?  Is it free to be able to use these services?  The answer to all of these questions is a resounding YES!  While one might worry about their bank account being hacked when using online banking, in reality, it’s never been easier or safer to handle your finances entirely online.  Security measures such as two factor authentication and other encryptions have ensured you’re in good hands when logging onto your bank account from a computer.  Not only is it safe, it’s actually a lot easier than one might imagine.  Gone are the days of paying bills by mail and balancing a checkbook; instead of keeping track of all your account information through paper documents, filing cabinets, and sticky notes, online banking conveniently keeps all the information you need stored together and allows you to access any documents you need at any time.  Due to the clean and simple interface, anyone can easily navigate the app or site to access what they need from their account.

While having 24/7 access to your account is a great resource for tracking your expenses, there’s definitely more that can be done with within online banking.  Suppose you want to add some money, either by transferring it from another account or depositing it.  With the mobile banking app, you can do this all from your phone, any time or place.  The mobile app gives you the ability to deposit checks by picture, usually making a majority of the funds available to you as soon as it’s approved. You can then transfer these funds between accounts (checking, savings, money management, etc.) with ease all in the same sitting.  You can also sign up to receive your statements electronically instead of by mail, and have full access to any of these documents through the mobile app and online site as well.  If you want to look over your purchase history for any suspicious activity, online and mobile banking give you the ability to do this at a moment’s notice.  And, with the mobile app being available on iOS, Android, and the Amazon Marketplace, you can download it on nearly any device!

Another great resource available on mobile and online banking is Card Controls. Card Controls eliminates any need for separate apps to manage purchases, and gives you total control of your debit and credit cards.  With this feature, you can decide when, where, and how your cards are used, along with setting spending limits and even blocking certain types of transactions! For example, if you wanted to be able to use your card for any in-store transaction, but did not want it to be used online for purchases over $100, Card Controls gives you the ability to set this up!  You can even set up alerts to notify you when purchases are being made.  And with the ability to turn your debit and credit cards on and off with ease, you can prevent unwanted expenses by immediately turning off cards if they are temporarily misplaced or lost.
 

One of the final things you can do to help you bank on the go is add your cards to your mobile wallet in order to be able to use your mobile device for online payments and at participating merchants without swiping your card.  This technology allows you to simply tap your phone on the register, and it will process your payment the same as using your card.  This same saved data is also used in order to use your card for online purchases on your mobile device without having to re-enter your information for every purchase.  

Overall, as technology has advanced it has given us the ability to handle most of our banking from the touch of a finger.  We can explore our purchase history, statements, and credit reports to make sure everything lines up with our purchasing behavior.  We can transfer funds between accounts and deposit checks, as well as set up various rules for our cards to help achieve our goals and improve our financial future.  While the need for a physical bank location will be necessary for the foreseeable future, it’s safe to say that every day banking activities can be done through online banking in order to save time and money.  Give online banking a try to see if it’s right for you!