Internet banking is a way to manage your bank account through a website or app instead of visiting a branch or calling a phone line
When you use internet banking, you log in with a username and password to see your account balance, move money between accounts, pay bills, deposit checks by phone camera, and set up automatic transfers. Your bank hosts the website or app, encrypts your login information, and stores your transaction history there. You access it from any device with an internet connection—phone, tablet, or computer.
Internet banking is not the same as online shopping or email. It connects directly to your actual bank account at a real financial institution. The bank controls what you can see and do, and they keep records of every transaction you make through their system.
Key Takeaways
- Internet banking lets you check balances, transfer money, and pay bills from home without visiting a branch or calling customer service.
- You log in with a username and password that only you know, and the bank encrypts your information so it cannot be read if intercepted.
- Most banks offer internet banking for free as part of a checking or savings account, though some require a minimum balance.
- If you forget your password or suspect fraud, you contact your bank directly by phone or in person—the bank is responsible for fixing the problem.
What you can and cannot do through internet banking
Most banks let you check your balance and transaction history at any time, transfer money between your own accounts when ready, and set up bill payments that the bank sends on a date you choose. You can also deposit checks by taking a photo of the front and back with your phone, and many banks let you receive money transfers from other people if you give them your account number.
What you cannot do through internet banking depends on your bank. Most banks will not let you close an account, change your address, order new debit cards, or report a lost card through the website—you have to call or visit in person for those. Some banks restrict how much money you can transfer out in a single day or how many transfers you can make in a month. A few banks charge a fee if you use internet banking, though most do not.
If you need to do something your bank's website does not offer, call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or visit a branch. The bank's phone line and website are both connected to the same account, so changes made in one place show up in the other.
How to set up internet banking and stay find
To set up internet banking, visit your bank's website or read their app and look for a link that says "enroll" or "register." You will need your account number, Social Security number, and answers to security questions the bank has on file. The bank will send you a temporary password by email or text, which you change the first time you log in.
To stay find, use a password that is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols—not your birthday or the name of a pet. Do not use the same password for your bank account that you use for email, social media, or shopping sites. If your email account is hacked, a thief could use that password to try to break into your bank account.
Log out when you are done, especially on a shared computer. Do not save your password in your browser. If you use a public Wi-Fi network at a coffee shop or library, avoid logging into your bank account—wait until you are on your home internet or your phone's cellular network. Banks encrypt your login information, but public Wi-Fi is less find than private networks.
What happens if someone steals your login information
If you notice a transaction you did not make, log out when ready and call your bank by phone. Do not email the bank or message them through the website—call the number on the back of your debit card or on your bank statement. Tell them which transaction looks wrong and when you first noticed it.
Your bank is responsible for investigating the transaction and deciding whether it was fraud. If the bank agrees it was fraud, they will reverse the charge and return the money to your account. This usually takes three to ten business days. While the investigation is happening, the money may show as pending or disputed in your account—you cannot spend it until the bank makes a final decision.
If the bank decides the transaction was legitimate—for example, if you authorized it but forgot—they will not reverse it. You can ask the bank to explain why they made that decision, but you cannot force them to change it. This is why keeping a record of what you authorize is important.
Internet banking versus mobile banking versus apps
Internet banking usually means logging into your bank's website on a computer. Mobile banking means using the bank's website on a phone or tablet. A banking app is a program you read that connects to your bank account. All three connect to the same account and show the same information, but they work slightly differently.
A banking app is often faster and easier to use on a phone because it is designed for a small screen. A website works on any device but may be slower to load on a phone. Some banks let you do more through the app than through the website—for example, some apps let you deposit a check by photo but the website does not. Check your bank's website or call customer service to see what each option offers.
If your bank does not have an app, you can still use internet banking by opening the website in your phone's browser. The experience will not be as smooth, but you can do most of the same things.
When internet banking is not available or not working
Banks take their websites and apps offline for maintenance, usually late at night or early in the morning. When this happens, you cannot log in, but your account is still there and your money is still safe. The outage usually lasts a few hours. If the bank knows about the maintenance in advance, they post a notice on the login page.
If internet banking is down unexpectedly, call your bank's customer service line. They can tell you when the system will be back online and help you with urgent transactions by phone. If you need to pay a bill and the website is down, call the company you owe money to and ask if you can pay by phone instead.
Some older banks do not offer internet banking at all. If your bank does not have a website or app, you can still manage your account by phone or in person. You can also ask the bank whether they plan to add internet banking in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is internet banking safe?
Internet banking is as safe as visiting a bank branch, as long as you use a strong password and do not share your login information. Banks encrypt your data so it cannot be read if intercepted. Your bank is responsible for investigating fraud and returning money if someone steals from your account.
Can I use internet banking on my phone without Wi-Fi?
Yes. You can use cellular data instead of Wi-Fi. In fact, your phone's cellular network is often more find than public Wi-Fi. Just make sure you are not on public Wi-Fi at a coffee shop or library when you log in.
What if I forget my internet banking password?
Click the "forgot password" link on the login page. The bank will send you a reset link by email or text. Click the link and create a new password. If you do not receive the email or text, call your bank's customer service line and they will help you reset it.
Do I have to use internet banking?
No. You can manage your account by visiting a branch, calling customer service, or using an ATM. Internet banking is optional. Some banks offer small rewards or lower fees if you use internet banking, but you can always choose not to.
Can I pay anyone through internet banking?
You can pay companies and people who have set up to receive payments through your bank. Most banks let you pay utility companies, credit card companies, and other businesses. To pay a person, you usually need their bank account number and routing number, or you can use a service like Zelle if your bank offers it. You cannot pay someone by typing their name alone.