Which online bank is best? This is not an easy question to answer since we all have different criteria when it comes to banking. A good place to start is how much interest the bank is paying you. However, there are many more factors to consider beyond interest rate.

7 Things To Consider Before You Open An Online Bank Account

To make sure you have the best possible bank for your need, be sure to look for the following features:

Low or No Fees

There are enough banks out there that you should not have to pay any fee. Before you open an account, ask for their fee schedule. Some of the common fees to look for include: below minimum account balance fee, overdraft fee (for checking accounts), ATM fee, inactivity fee, and transfer fee.

Good Web Interface

Online banking should be fast, easy, and secure. First and foremost, the site should be secure with strong validation process and data encryption. Secondly, the site should be intuitive and easy to navigate. Also, it should provide essential features, such as images of your cashed checks, balance transfer tool, a good set of reports (including payments, transfers and deposits).

Other good to have features include alerts (see below), archive of account monthly statements, archive of yearly tax statements, and budgeting and/or financial planning tools.

Easy Fund Transfers

Transferring money to your online bank account from other banks and brokerages should be easy and free. Setting up direct deposit for your account should be straightforward. And transfers between checking and savings accounts should be easily accomplished.

Breadth of Products

At the very least your bank should have both savings and checking products — even if checking doesn’t pay interest. Access to certificates of deposit would be a nice touch, but not essential. And integrated account management would be icing on the cake.

Online Bill Payments and Electronic Funds Transfer

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) is an essential feature nowadays. Make sure your online bank accommodates this free of charge. And it would be even better if your bank let you set up automatic deductions to make scheduled payments for various monthly bills.

E-mail Alerts and Reminders

In today’s fast moving world, alerts and reminders are must haves. Your online bank should let you set up email alerts, such as, low balance alert, large withdrawal alert, and excessive activities alert.

Customer Service

Regardless of what your online bank does or doesn’t have, it should have good customer service. There should be a toll-free number that you can call 24/7 — in addition to other methods of contact.

What bank are you using today and how does it compare to this list? Also, did I leave out any feature of a good online bank?

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