Tuesday, April 28, 2009
PC Banking
PC banking is a form of online banking that enables customers to execute bank transactions from a PC via a modem. In most PC banking ventures, the bank offers the customer a proprietary financial software program that allows the customer to perform financial transactions from his or her home computer. The customer then dials into the bank with his or her modem, downloads data, and runs the programs that are resident on the customer’s computer. Currently, many banks offer PC banking systems that allow customers to obtain account balances and credit card statements, pay bills, and transfer funds between accounts.
Internet banking
sometimes called online banking, is an outgrowth of PC banking. Internet banking uses the Internet as the delivery channel by which to conduct banking activity, for example, transferring funds, paying bills, viewing checking and savings account balances, paying mortgages, and purchasing financial instruments and certificates of deposit. An Internet banking customer accesses his or her accounts from a browser— software that runs Internet banking programs resident on the bank’s World Wide Web server, not on the user’s PC. NetBanker defines a “ true Internet bank” as one that provides account balances and some transactional capabilities to retail customers over the World Wide Web. Internet banks are also known as virtual, cyber, net, interactive, or web banks.
To date, more banks have established an advertising presence on the Internet— primarily in the form of informational or interactive web sites—than have created transactional web sites. However, a number of Banks that do not yet offer transactional Internet banking services have indicated on their web sites that they will offer such banking activities in the future.
Although Internet banks offer many of the same services as do traditional brick-and-mortar Banks, analysts view Internet banking as a means of retaining increasingly sophisticated customers, of developing a new customer base, and of capturing a greater share of depositor assets. A typical Internet bank site specifies the types of transactions offered and provides information about account security.
Because Internet banks generally have lower operational and transactional costs than do traditional brick-and-mortar banks, they are often able to offer low-cost checking and high-yield Certificates of deposit. Internet banking is not limited to a physical site; some Internet banks exist without physical branches, for example, Telebank (Arlington, Virginia) and Banknet (UK). Further, in some cases, web banks are not restricted to conducting transactions within national borders and have the ability to make transactions involving large amounts of assets instantaneously. According to industry analysts, electronic banking provides a variety of attractive possibilities for remote account access, including:
* Availability of inquiry and transaction services around the clock;
* worldwide connectivity;
* Easy access to transaction data, both recent and historical; and
* “ Direct customer control of international movement of funds without intermediation of financial institutions in customer’s jurisdiction.”
OPENING AN ACCOUNT There are several ways to open and fund an electronic banking account in the United States. Customers who have existing accounts at brick-and-mortar banks and want to begin using electronic banking services may simply ask their institution for the software needed for PC banking or obtain a password for Internet banking. Either approach requires minimal paperwork. Once they have joined the system, customers have electronic access to all of their accounts at the bank. New customers can establish an account either by completing a PC banking application form and mailing it to an institution offering such a service or by accessing a bank’s web site and applying online for Internet banking. In either instance, the customer can fund the new online account with a check, wire transfer, or other form of remittance. No physical interface between the customer and the institution is required.
To date, more banks have established an advertising presence on the Internet— primarily in the form of informational or interactive web sites—than have created transactional web sites. However, a number of Banks that do not yet offer transactional Internet banking services have indicated on their web sites that they will offer such banking activities in the future.
Although Internet banks offer many of the same services as do traditional brick-and-mortar Banks, analysts view Internet banking as a means of retaining increasingly sophisticated customers, of developing a new customer base, and of capturing a greater share of depositor assets. A typical Internet bank site specifies the types of transactions offered and provides information about account security.
Because Internet banks generally have lower operational and transactional costs than do traditional brick-and-mortar banks, they are often able to offer low-cost checking and high-yield Certificates of deposit. Internet banking is not limited to a physical site; some Internet banks exist without physical branches, for example, Telebank (Arlington, Virginia) and Banknet (UK). Further, in some cases, web banks are not restricted to conducting transactions within national borders and have the ability to make transactions involving large amounts of assets instantaneously. According to industry analysts, electronic banking provides a variety of attractive possibilities for remote account access, including:
* Availability of inquiry and transaction services around the clock;
* worldwide connectivity;
* Easy access to transaction data, both recent and historical; and
* “ Direct customer control of international movement of funds without intermediation of financial institutions in customer’s jurisdiction.”
OPENING AN ACCOUNT There are several ways to open and fund an electronic banking account in the United States. Customers who have existing accounts at brick-and-mortar banks and want to begin using electronic banking services may simply ask their institution for the software needed for PC banking or obtain a password for Internet banking. Either approach requires minimal paperwork. Once they have joined the system, customers have electronic access to all of their accounts at the bank. New customers can establish an account either by completing a PC banking application form and mailing it to an institution offering such a service or by accessing a bank’s web site and applying online for Internet banking. In either instance, the customer can fund the new online account with a check, wire transfer, or other form of remittance. No physical interface between the customer and the institution is required.
e-Banking
Electronic banking is an umbrella term for the process by which a customer may perform banking transactions electronically without visiting a brick-and-mortar institution. The following terms all refer to one form or another of electronic banking: personal computer (PC) banking, Internet banking, virtual banking, online banking, home banking, remote electronic banking, and phone banking. PC banking and Internet or online banking are the most frequently used designations. It should be noted, however, that the terms used to describe the various types of electronic banking are often used interchangeably.
e-Banking
Electronic banking is an umbrella term for the process by which a customer may perform banking transactions electronically without visiting a brick-and-mortar institution. The following terms all refer to one form or another of electronic banking: personal computer (PC) banking, Internet banking, virtual banking, online banking, home banking, remote electronic banking, and phone banking. PC banking and Internet or online banking are the most frequently used designations. It should be noted, however, that the terms used to describe the various types of electronic banking are often used interchangeably.
Future of Online banking
No matter where online banking comes from or where it is today, it is most certainly here to stay. As a tool of modern living and as a lifestyle aid, it is absolutely indispensable. The fact is that many services that are now being offered with online banking are almost impossible to avail of in regular banking. This holds even truer for developments that the future of online banking will bring.
Judging by its current popularity and rate of implementation, online banking will increase in scope and user base in the future. Individuals and businesses that have refused to adopt it as a commercial tool before now will not really be left with much choice. As things stand now, using conventional methods of business inquiry, confirmation, order-placement and bill payment is retrograde at best. The speed (and reduced manpower) with which the same activities can be done online leaves the traditional methods completely in the shade. The same holds true for normal vs. online business-related banking.
In a domestic setting, too, shopping has been and will continue to be revolutionized by the Internet option. Payments for goods bought online will almost always be done via a bank-related credit card or direct deduction from a bank account.
However, traditional biases against online banking are not going to be overcome entirely by hard facts and figures in its favor. The rate at which this sector of banking will grow will depend on how many user-friendly facilities are incorporated, the additional facilities that will be added and the way the concept is packaged for the general public.
It is unfortunately a fact that banks and their customers have rarely agreed on what is a useful facility and what isn’t. A lot of market research and customer polling will be required before the gap between what is needed in banking and what is available is filled. When that finally happens, the final frontier of online banking will indeed be explored.
Judging by its current popularity and rate of implementation, online banking will increase in scope and user base in the future. Individuals and businesses that have refused to adopt it as a commercial tool before now will not really be left with much choice. As things stand now, using conventional methods of business inquiry, confirmation, order-placement and bill payment is retrograde at best. The speed (and reduced manpower) with which the same activities can be done online leaves the traditional methods completely in the shade. The same holds true for normal vs. online business-related banking.
In a domestic setting, too, shopping has been and will continue to be revolutionized by the Internet option. Payments for goods bought online will almost always be done via a bank-related credit card or direct deduction from a bank account.
However, traditional biases against online banking are not going to be overcome entirely by hard facts and figures in its favor. The rate at which this sector of banking will grow will depend on how many user-friendly facilities are incorporated, the additional facilities that will be added and the way the concept is packaged for the general public.
It is unfortunately a fact that banks and their customers have rarely agreed on what is a useful facility and what isn’t. A lot of market research and customer polling will be required before the gap between what is needed in banking and what is available is filled. When that finally happens, the final frontier of online banking will indeed be explored.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Disadvantage of online banking
Disadvantages of online banking
* Start-up may take time: In order to register for your bank's online program, you will probably have to provide ID and sign a form at a bank branch. If you and your spouse wish to view and manage your assets together online, one of you may have to sign a durable power of attorney before the bank will display all of your holdings together.
* Learning curve: Banking sites can be difficult to navigate at first. Plan to invest some time and/or read the tutorials in order to become comfortable in your virtual lobby.
* Bank site changes: Even the largest banks periodically upgrade their online programs, adding new features in unfamiliar places. In some cases, you may have to re-enter account information.
* The trust thing: For many people, the biggest hurdle to online banking is learning to trust it. Did my transaction go through? Did I push the transfer button once or twice? Best bet: always print the transaction receipt and keep it with your bank records until it shows up on your personal site and/or your bank statement.
* Start-up may take time: In order to register for your bank's online program, you will probably have to provide ID and sign a form at a bank branch. If you and your spouse wish to view and manage your assets together online, one of you may have to sign a durable power of attorney before the bank will display all of your holdings together.
* Learning curve: Banking sites can be difficult to navigate at first. Plan to invest some time and/or read the tutorials in order to become comfortable in your virtual lobby.
* Bank site changes: Even the largest banks periodically upgrade their online programs, adding new features in unfamiliar places. In some cases, you may have to re-enter account information.
* The trust thing: For many people, the biggest hurdle to online banking is learning to trust it. Did my transaction go through? Did I push the transfer button once or twice? Best bet: always print the transaction receipt and keep it with your bank records until it shows up on your personal site and/or your bank statement.
Advantage of online banking
Advantages of online banking
* Convenience: Unlike your corner bank, online banking sites never close; they're available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and they're only a mouse click away.
* Ubiquity: If you're out of state or even out of the country when a money problem arises, you can log on instantly to your online bank and take care of business, 24/7.
* Transaction speed: Online bank sites generally execute and confirm transactions at or quicker than ATM processing speeds.
* Efficiency: You can access and manage all of your bank accounts, including IRAs, CDs, even securities, from one secure site.
* Effectiveness: Many online banking sites now offer sophisticated tools, including account aggregation, stock quotes, rate alerts and portfolio managing programs to help you manage all of your assets more effectively. Most are also compatible with money managing programs such as Quicken and Microsoft Money.
* Convenience: Unlike your corner bank, online banking sites never close; they're available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and they're only a mouse click away.
* Ubiquity: If you're out of state or even out of the country when a money problem arises, you can log on instantly to your online bank and take care of business, 24/7.
* Transaction speed: Online bank sites generally execute and confirm transactions at or quicker than ATM processing speeds.
* Efficiency: You can access and manage all of your bank accounts, including IRAs, CDs, even securities, from one secure site.
* Effectiveness: Many online banking sites now offer sophisticated tools, including account aggregation, stock quotes, rate alerts and portfolio managing programs to help you manage all of your assets more effectively. Most are also compatible with money managing programs such as Quicken and Microsoft Money.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Online Banking
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