How to Choose an Online Bank (2024)

Table of Contents

  • How do you choose an online bank?
  • The pros and cons of online banking
  • Are online banks safe?
  • How do I open an online bank account?
  • How to deposit money into an online bank account
  • The bottom line

Money Banking

Article updated on Jul 5, 2024

There are loads of online banks to choose from. Here’s what to focus on when you’re looking for a new place to store your money.

Why You Can Trust CNET Money

Our Experts

How to Choose an Online Bank (1)

How to Choose an Online Bank (2)How to Choose an Online Bank (3)

Written by

Toni Husbands is a staff writer with CNET Money who enjoys exploring topics that promote financial wellness. She began writing about personal finance to document her experience paying off $107,000 of debt, which is detailed in her book, The Great Debt Dump. Previously, she contributed as a freelance writer for websites, including CreditCards.com, Centsai and Wisebread. She was also a regular contributor to Business AM TV, and her work has been featured on Yahoo News. Being a part-time real estate investor and amateur gardener also brings her joy.

See full bio ,

David McMillin

David McMillin writes about credit cards, mortgages, banking, taxes and travel. Based in Chicago, he writes with one objective in mind: Help readers figure out how to save more and stress less. He is also a musician, which means he has spent a lot of time worrying about money. He applies the lessons he's learned from that financial balancing act to offer practical advice for personal spending decisions.

See full bio

Edited by

How to Choose an Online Bank (5)

Danni Santana

Editor

Danni Santana has spent seven years as an editor and business journalist covering industries like sports, retail, restaurants, and now personal finance. Most recently he worked as a retail editor at Business Insider.He is a graduate of the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. His biggest loves outside of the newsroom include, running, cooking, playing video games and collecting sneakers.

See full bio ,

How to Choose an Online Bank (6)

Kelly Ernst

Editor

Kelly is an editor for CNET Money focusing on banking. She has over 10 years of experience in personal finance and previously wrote for CBS MoneyWatch covering banking, investing, insurance and home equity products. She is passionate about arming consumers with the tools they need to take control of their financial lives. In her free time, she enjoys binging podcasts, scouring thrift stores for unique home décor and spoiling the heck out of her dogs.

See full bio

CNET staff -- not advertisers, partners or business interests -- determine how we review the products and services we cover. If you buy through our links, we may get paid.

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Our Experts

How to Choose an Online Bank (7)

How to Choose an Online Bank (8)How to Choose an Online Bank (9)

Written by

How to Choose an Online Bank (10)

Toni Husbands

Staff Writer

Toni Husbands is a staff writer with CNET Money who enjoys exploring topics that promote financial wellness. She began writing about personal finance to document her experience paying off $107,000 of debt, which is detailed in her book, The Great Debt Dump. Previously, she contributed as a freelance writer for websites, including CreditCards.com, Centsai and Wisebread. She was also a regular contributor to Business AM TV, and her work has been featured on Yahoo News. Being a part-time real estate investor and amateur gardener also brings her joy.

See full bio ,

David McMillin

David McMillin writes about credit cards, mortgages, banking, taxes and travel. Based in Chicago, he writes with one objective in mind: Help readers figure out how to save more and stress less. He is also a musician, which means he has spent a lot of time worrying about money. He applies the lessons he's learned from that financial balancing act to offer practical advice for personal spending decisions.

See full bio

Edited by

How to Choose an Online Bank (11)

Danni Santana

Editor

Danni Santana has spent seven years as an editor and business journalist covering industries like sports, retail, restaurants, and now personal finance. Most recently he worked as a retail editor at Business Insider.He is a graduate of the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. His biggest loves outside of the newsroom include, running, cooking, playing video games and collecting sneakers.

See full bio ,

How to Choose an Online Bank (12)

Kelly Ernst

Editor

Kelly is an editor for CNET Money focusing on banking. She has over 10 years of experience in personal finance and previously wrote for CBS MoneyWatch covering banking, investing, insurance and home equity products. She is passionate about arming consumers with the tools they need to take control of their financial lives. In her free time, she enjoys binging podcasts, scouring thrift stores for unique home décor and spoiling the heck out of her dogs.

See full bio

CNET staff -- not advertisers, partners or business interests -- determine how we review the products and services we cover. If you buy through our links, we may get paid.

Reviews ethics statement

Why You Can Trust CNET Money

Table of Contents

  • How do you choose an online bank?
  • The pros and cons of online banking
  • Are online banks safe?
  • How do I open an online bank account?
  • How to deposit money into an online bank account
  • The bottom line
How to Choose an Online Bank (13)

How to Choose an Online Bank (14)

Written by

Toni Husbands

Staff Writer

Read more from Toni

Toni Husbands is a staff writer with CNET Money who enjoys exploring topics that promote financial wellness. She began writing about personal finance to document her experience paying off $107,000 of debt, which is detailed in her book, The Great Debt Dump. Previously, she contributed as a freelance writer for websites, including CreditCards.com, Centsai and Wisebread. She was also a regular contributor to Business AM TV, and her work has been featured on Yahoo News. Being a part-time real estate investor and amateur gardener also brings her joy.

Written by

David McMillin

Read more from David

David McMillin writes about credit cards, mortgages, banking, taxes and travel. Based in Chicago, he writes with one objective in mind: Help readers figure out how to save more and stress less. He is also a musician, which means he has spent a lot of time worrying about money. He applies the lessons he's learned from that financial balancing act to offer practical advice for personal spending decisions.

Advertiser Disclosure

CNET editors independently choose every product and service we cover. Though we can’t review every available financial company or offer, we strive to make comprehensive, rigorous comparisons in order to highlight the best of them. For many of these products and services, we earn a commission. The compensation we receive may impact how products and links appear on our site.

Editorial Guidelines

Writers and editors and produce editorial content with the objective to provide accurate and unbiased information. A separate team is responsible for placing paid links and advertisem*nts, creating a firewall between our affiliate partners and our editorial team. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers.

How we make money

CNET Money is an advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We’re compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and services, or when you click on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact where and in what order affiliate links appear within advertising units. While we strive to provide a wide range of products and services, CNET Money does not include information about every financial or credit product or service.

How to Choose an Online Bank (2024)

FAQs

How to choose the right online bank? ›

The first step in choosing an online bank is verifying that your money is protected by FDIC or NCUA insurance. If you regularly deal with cash, pay close attention to a bank's policy on ATM fee reimbursem*nts and whether it accepts cash deposits.

What is the easiest online bank to get approved for? ›

  • Key takeaways.
  • What are the easiest bank accounts to open online?
  • Discover: Best for getting cash back on purchases.
  • SoFi Checking and Savings: Best for high APY.
  • U.S. Bank: Best mobile app.
  • Truist: Best for no overdraft fees.
  • Bank of America: Best for flexible banking.
  • Chime®: Best for bad credit.

What 3 questions do you need to consider as you choose the right bank? ›

9 questions to ask before opening a bank account
  • What are the bank's fees? ...
  • Where are the bank's ATMs? ...
  • Is there a minimum balance required? ...
  • What's the accounts' interest rate? ...
  • Does the bank have good customer service? ...
  • Does the bank have online banking and a mobile app?

What is the best online bank for me? ›

The Best Online Banks of 2024: Our Picks
  • SoFi Bank. OUR TOP PICK. 4.5. ...
  • Discover Bank. BEST RETAIL CASH DEPOSIT. 4.6. ...
  • Ally Bank. Seamless Online Experience. 4.5. ...
  • Varo Bank. BEST BANK IF YOU'RE JUST STARTING OUT. 4.5. ...
  • LendingClub Bank. GREAT FOR OVERALL RATES. ...
  • Upgrade. BEST CASH BACK. ...
  • Alliant Credit Union Bank. Best Online Credit Union.
Sep 3, 2024

Which online bank is the safest? ›

The top 10 safest banks in the U.S.
BankThe Ascent's RatingFDIC Insured?
Western Alliance Bank4.25Yes
SoFi®4.00Yes
Wells Fargo4.00Yes
Axos Bank3.50Yes
6 more rows
Aug 21, 2024

Which online bank account is best? ›

Banks That Provide The Online Savings Accounts
S No.Bank NameInterest P.A. (in %)
1RBL Bank4.25 - 6.75
2State Bank of India3
3HDFC Bank3.0 - 3.5
4Kotak Mahindra Bank3.5 - 4.0
6 more rows

Which bank can open an account instantly? ›

Instant account opening is easy with HDFC Bank. All you need is a working mobile number, Aadhaar number and a PAN number to open an account.

Are online banks worth it? ›

Online banks are safe if they have FDIC insurance, and they typically offer competitive interest rates and low or no account fees. These benefits alone are often enough to get people on board.

Can I open a bank account online without going to the bank? ›

Yes, many banks allow customers to open an account from the convenience of their computer desktop or mobile device. You'll need the same information ready as when visiting a physical branch, such as your identification and proof of address.

What are 2 factors to consider when choosing a bank? ›

When choosing a bank, consider factors like security, bank fees, interest rates, location, ease of deposit, and digital banking capabilities. Other important considerations include minimum requirements, availability of funds, customer service, investment account options, and perks offered by the bank.

How do I know which bank to choose? ›

SHARE:
  1. Identify the right account.
  2. Look for banks that charge low or no fees.
  3. Consider the convenience of a local branch.
  4. Take a look at credit unions.
  5. Find a bank that supports your lifestyle.
  6. Examine digital features.
  7. Understand the terms and conditions.
  8. Read reviews for banks you're considering.
Jul 31, 2024

What are three of the most popular online banking services? ›

  • Top 10 online banks. SoFi. Axos Bank. Quontic. Bank5 Connect. Laurel Road. Connexus Credit Union. Alliant Credit Union. Capital One. American Express. Ally.
  • Pros & cons of online banking.
  • Our methodology.
  • Frequently asked questions.
Aug 1, 2024

Can I deposit cash if I choose an online bank? ›

Some online banks participate in ATM networks. If your online bank is one of them, you can deposit cash at the closest ATM. Once you've found an ATM, take your cash to the ATM, fill out a deposit slip with your account information, and put the money into the deposit envelope.

Which is the best online banking bank? ›

Best online bank accounts in the UK
  • Kroo Current Account.
  • Revolut - Standard Account.
  • Monzo - Current Account.
  • Starling Bank - Personal Current Account.
  • Chase - Current Account.
  • Monese - Instant Account.
Nov 28, 2023

Who uses online banking the most? ›

This growth was largely driven by adults aged 65 years and older: the proportion of older adults using online banking increased from 62% in 2018 to 70% in 2022. This increase was seen for both older men and women and was perhaps partly driven by the preference for contactless transactions during the pandemic.

What is iDEAL online banking? ›

As secure as internet and mobile banking

iDEAL is an online payment method that allows consumers to pay via their own bank. Not only web shops but also other companies offer iDEAL.

How do you choose the right bank for you? ›

How to choose a bank that's right for you
  1. Identify the type of account you need. ...
  2. Look for low (or no) fees. ...
  3. Compare local versus online options. ...
  4. Examine convenience and security features. ...
  5. Read reviews. ...
  6. Check out the terms and conditions. ...
  7. How to choose the right bank.
Mar 26, 2024

Is it worth switching to an online bank? ›

Before choosing an online bank, it's important to decide what features are most important to you. The lack of overhead gives internet banks advantages over traditional banks, including fewer or lower fees and accounts with higher APYs.

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