Online banking, also known as Internet banking, electronic banking or virtual banking, is an electronic payment system that allows customers of a bank or other financial institution to make a series of financial transactions through the institution's website. financial The online banking system will generally be connected to or be part of the main banking system operated by a bank and contrasts with branch banking, which was the traditional way in which customers accessed banking services.
To access the online banking facilities of a financial institution, a customer with Internet access must register with the institution for the service and establish a password and other credentials for customer verification. The credentials for online banking are usually not the same as for telephone or mobile banking. Financial institutions now routinely assign customer numbers, regardless of whether or not customers have indicated their intention to access their online banking service. The customer numbers are usually not the same as the account numbers, because several customer accounts can be linked to a customer's number. Technically, the customer number can be linked to any account with the financial institution that the customer controls, although the financial institution can limit the range of accounts that can be accessed, for example, check, savings, loan, credit card and similar accounts.
The client visits the secure website of the financial institution and enters the online banking service using the customer number and credentials previously established. The types of financial transactions a customer can perform through online banking are determined by the financial institution, but generally include obtaining account balances, a list of recent transactions, electronic bill payments and funds transfers between accounts. one client or another. Most banks also allow a customer to download copies of bank statements, which can be printed at the customer's premises (some banks charge a fee for sending printed copies of bank statements). Some banks also allow customers to download transactions directly in the client's accounting software. The facility may also allow the customer to order a check book, account statements, report the loss of credit cards, suspend the payment of a check, recommend changes of address and other routine actions.
Nowadays many banks are exclusive Internet institutions. These "virtual banks" have lower indirect costs than their brick and mortar counterparts. In the United States, many online banks are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and can offer the same level of protection for customer funds as traditional banks.