When considering a bank, it’s important to consider what you want and need from your banking experience.
The first step is to decide if you want an online or physical bank. Then, ask yourself how often you would like to visit the bank and what kind of person you are. Would you rather deal with a teller at a branch or simply an ATM?
Would you rather interact with a real person over the phone? The answers to these questions may help determine which bank is right for you.
In general, traditional banks have physical locations and offer any services available in-person. For example, they take deposits and can process withdrawals, loans and other requests.
However, there are some downsides which you should consider before choosing a traditional bank. For example, if you don’t live in a major population center where a physical branch is located or if you frequently travel out of the country, physical branches may not be an option for you.
There are many benefits associated with traditional banks. They often offer more security for both the bank and the customer, most notably FDIC insurance. Customers can make transactions 24/7/365 via telephone or ATMs (assuming they are not restricted by where they live), which provides convenience.
Online banks are excellent alternatives to physical locations since many people find them easier to deal with. Since they are capable of doing all you would expect of a traditional bank via the internet, many people find them to be more convenient than physical branches.
Many online banks offer free checking accounts with no minimum balance requirements and low or nonexistent ATM fees at other banks’ ATMs around the country.
Online banking tends to have slightly lower interest rates on savings accounts and CDs, but rates offered by online banks often beat physical bank’s rates. This is especially true for high-yield accounts such as money market and IRA accounts.
The main downside of using an online bank is that you can’t simply walk into a branch for assistance. This can be inconvenient if you need to deal with certain kinds of transactions, such as depositing or cashing checks without an ATM nearby that provides check-scanning capabilities.
Mobile banking is another popular service offered by banks that many people find useful. It allows customers to access their bank accounts while on the go via a mobile device.
This can be extremely convenient if you find yourself away from a computer but still need to perform certain transactions, such as transferring money between accounts.
Mobile banking is also a great option if you travel frequently and would rather carry a digital version of your bank card(s) instead of physical cards for security purposes.
Most traditional banks offer mobile banking, but it’s up to you to determine if the convenience of doing your banking on the go is worth it. It may be especially valuable if you find yourself away from a computer often (i.e., travel frequently).
If you don’t want the hassle of using an ATM or bank branch for some transactions, such as depositing checks without the use of an ATM that accepts them, mobile banking is a good choice.
Whether you’re looking for a traditional or online bank, there are many options that offer low fees and great service.
To find one that’s right for you, consider what services you will need before choosing your bank. Then, compare the services offered by different institutions to find which one fits your needs best.
So this is how to Choose a Bank.