Is your money safe in online banking?
Short answer: Yes. Online banks are some of the safest places to store your money. In many ways, they're similar to traditional brick-and-mortar banks. But it's important to follow standard web best practices when banking online.
If they're FDIC-insured, online banks are as safe as traditional brick-and-mortar banks in many ways. You can also take steps as a consumer to ensure your account is as protected as possible when banking online, whether you bank with a brick-and-mortar or an online bank, also called a direct or digital bank.
Banks also invest heavily in the security of their online banking applications and sites, by constantly scanning for potential fraudsters, online thieves and cybercriminals. This ensures that you are protected from all fraud and online mishaps.
- Never use unsecured public WiFi. ...
- Don't save logins. ...
- Use passphrases instead of passwords. ...
- Keep up on updates. ...
- Never click on email links. ...
- Check your account often from a safe location. ...
- Use a unique username.
An online bank not only typically provides a better virtual experience, but you will likely also get fewer fees and higher rates on savings accounts. Of course, the downside is that you don't get that access to in-person customer service, which some people might prefer.
- Phishing. Phishing is a means of gathering personal information by posing as a trusted institution—like your bank. ...
- Viruses. If your bank doesn't use secure software, you could be exposed to malware or viruses that can corrupt your computer or phone.
- Maintenance outages.
| Bank | Forbes Advisor Rating | Learn more CTA below text |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Bank | 5.0 | Read Our Full Review |
| Bank of America | 4.2 | |
| Wells Fargo Bank | 4.0 | Read Our Full Review |
| Citi® | 4.0 |
| Bank | The Ascent's Rating |
|---|---|
| Western Alliance Bank | 4.25 |
| SoFi | 4.00 |
| Wells Fargo | 4.00 |
| Axos Bank | 3.50 |
Online banking allows you to make deposits, pay bills, and transfer money anytime—from anywhere. It's so easy that often, you don't even have to think about what you're doing. Hackers know that. They count on moments of vulnerability—when you might never even notice—to break into your bank account.
Cons of online banks:
You are more likely to incur ATM fees if the online bank has no ATM network or is part of a small network. You can't deposit cash unless the bank is linked to ATMs that accept cash. Check deposits, done online or on a mobile app, may take longer to process. They aren't a good fit for everyone.
Can anyone access my bank account without my permission?
There are several ways that scammers can gain access to your online bank account. They could use phishing attacks, malware or other cyberattacks, or buy your credentials online after a data breach.
Banks typically do not have direct access to information about a customer's accounts at other financial institutions. However, they may be able to obtain information about your other accounts through various means such as a credit report, if you give them permission to do so, or through a court order.
However, given the advances in browser safety, there's no longer a general consensus among experts as to whether apps or browsers are safer for online banking. Essentially, both are secure from the source, but it's up to users to avoid making mistakes that can give thieves easier access.
Online banking customers enjoy instant access from their computer or mobile device to a full range of services, allowing you to: Check balances on accounts and view records of your transactions. Pay bills automatically each month with easy-to-set-up auto payment. Transfer funds between accounts.
However, mobile banking is a little safer when it comes to security, mainly because this type of banking does not store any data. It's also more convenient as we take our smartphones with us everywhere we go. Follow your bank's guidelines regarding mobile and online banking, and your funds should always be safe.
The guidance defines high-risk transactions as those that allow the transfer of funds to third parties or provide access to nonpublic personal information. For example, bill pay, a common Internet banking product, allows funds to be transferred to third party payees. This is considered a high-risk transaction.
- Alliant Credit Union.
- Ally Bank.
- Axos Bank.
- Bank of America.
- Bank5Connect.
- Barclays.
- Bethpage Federal Credit Union.
- Bread Financial.
Over a few weeks in the spring of 2023, multiple high-profile regional banks suddenly collapsed: Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), Signature Bank, and First Republic Bank. These banks weren't limited to one geographic area, and there wasn't one single reason behind their failures.
One of the biggest banks, Chase, is also one of the most secure banks to keep your money safe. Chase offers Zero Liability Protection, so if unauthorized transactions are made under your name, you won't be held responsible.
- Equifax Data Breach. ...
- Heartland Payment Systems Data Breach. ...
- Capital One Data Breach. Date: March 2019. ...
- JPMorgan Chase Data Breach. Date: October 2014. ...
- Experian. Date: August 2020. ...
- Block. Date: Apr 2022. ...
- Desjardins Group. Date: June 2019. ...
- Westpac Banking Corporation. Date: June 2013.
What bank do most millionaires use?
- JP Morgan Private Bank. “J.P. Morgan Private Bank is known for its investment services, which makes them a great option for those with millionaire status,” Kullberg said. ...
- Bank of America Private Bank. ...
- Citi Private Bank. ...
- Chase Private Client.
This is the theory that they're so crucial to the economy that collapse would cause major disaster. So the government is likely to step in and support them to avoid failure. In 2023, the U.S. banks considered "too big to fail" include Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo.
Once they gain control of the phone number, they can intercept SMS messages containing one-time passwords (OTPs) used for bank account verification. This can potentially enable unauthorized access to accounts if the bank relies solely on SMS-based 2FA (two-factor authentication).
If the bank thinks you might have acted fraudulently or were negligent, they can delay the refund while they investigate - this shouldn't take more than a few days. If you were tricked by a criminal into transferring the money into another account then the bank is unlikely to refund your money.
If you've been scammed, your bank may refund the money stolen from your account; but it depends on the amount, how long it took to report the fraud, and the way the money was stolen. While that may not be comforting, you do have some protections as a victim of fraud, including: The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA).
