Are you interested in helping out the environment by doing things in a paperless way? Would you like to avoid cluttering your mailbox with paper statements and do some of your banking in the comfort of your own home? You can achieve these goals by integrating an online account with the bank that you are a member of. You are going to learn the basics of online banking.
Do you have an E-mail account? If you do not already have one, it is important to set one up because your bank may want to send you notifications and communicate with you through your E-mail address.
One of the things that you can do to get started is to apply for an account to use on the Internet at one of your bank’s branches. While you are there, you can ask one of the tellers or personal bankers to help you set this up.
Another thing you can do is apply on your bank’s web site. Once you get there, the first thing you should look for is a “Sign Up” link. If that is nowhere to be found, you have to be persistent and continue navigating the site. One of the alternatives that you have is to use the site map or the “Help” link. Another is to click a link that invites you to learn more information about opening an online account.
Once you click the necessary link, you will be given a form to fill out on your computer screen. The information you will initially be asked to fill in will likely include your name, address, zip code, account number and the last four digits of your social security number. You should not be worried, especially if your bank is taking measures to protect your privacy such as providing a highly encrypted web site as well as asking you to verify your identity and create a security profile.
The password you create should be very strong. If you are able to, you should create one that contains at least one capital letter, one number and one special character such as a dollar sign or asterisk. If you are not allowed to use a combination of numbers or symbols with letters, you should create a password of all letters that contains at least two capital letters. If you are asked to choose the answer to a security question, it should be one that is easy to remember but not too obvious for others to guess.
Once you are set up, you should log into your account at least once a month to view your activity and check your transactions. If you have a savings account and a checking account, you can transfer money between these accounts without going to the bank.
You have learned the basics of online banking. Use the information you have learned to get the most out of your experience!