It might not be the most exciting thing to do, but getting your own bank account is a crucial step in properly managing your finances.
Whether you have an existing bank account and want to change, or you are new to banking completely and are here for your first account, this article is for you.
Today, let’s explore the most popular online banking services, and how you can sign up for them for free! Online banking can be very convenient if you are often on a phone or computer, as you can check in on your balances by logging in to your bank site, much like this bank’s login page.
To start off, we’ll go over our two top picks for retail banking. Following that will be a guide on how you can sign up for the bank of your choosing in three simple steps.
Our Banking Recommendations
If you live in the U.S, most banking solutions are pretty solid. As so many of the largest banks in the world are based in the U.S, there are many good options to choose from. We’re going to go over just two, but as long as you do your due diligence, other banks should be just fine.
1. Chase Bank
One of the largest banks in the world, Chase is a steady and sturdy option if you have banking needs. Founded in 1799 by J.P Morgan in New York, Chase is now an established bank that can be found across the world.
According to creditdonkey, Chase has more than 4,700 branches and 16,00 Chase ATMs. When it comes to accessibility, Chase is one of the leading banks in America. Additionally, it can be possible to have fees waived in your checking account if you keep a balance above a certain amount, or meet other requirements.
Chase is an all around good option for those looking for a stable bank to store their hard-earned money in. They had an overall score of 4.1 out of 5.
2. Discover Online Banking
A slightly smaller and newer banking company is Discover. Founded in 1985 by the company Sears, they have a more modernized approach to banking that some other old institutions have not yet implemented.
For example, Discover offers a “No Fees. Period” for their customers who open a cashback debit account. Their savings accounts also enjoy a growth of five times the national average, meaning you will make more money with a savings account with Discover than with most other banks.
Signing Up
Now that we’ve covered a couple of our most loved banks, it’s time to go over how you can sign up for online banking in just a few steps.
1. Navigate To The Bank’s Webpage
After you have chosen a bank of your choosing, it’s time to begin the process of signing up for either a checking or savings account, or both. To do this, you will need to navigate to the home page of the bank’s webpage.
It’s important to ensure you do not visit an incorrect link, as it could result in you giving your information to an untrusted party. Just be sure that the website you visit is really where you intended to go, and double check that the address is correct.
2. Click “Open an Account”
Practically every online banking website will have a big button on their homepage you can click that will direct you to their various account types. If you can’t find it, then we recommend doing a Google search for opening an account with the bank you want. Most of the time, the first search result will be the page you are looking for.
3. Choose The Type of Account You Want
After you have been directed to the accounts page, there will probably be several options to choose from. Choose the one that is right for you, and then fill out the information that the bank is requesting.
Stay Safe and Happy Banking!
Now that you’ve successfully signed up for an online banking account, you will be able to deposit money into the account through wire transfers and other means. Be sure to read up on the latest online security precautions as well so that your finances are kept safe.
