How does an online savings account work?
Online savings accounts work just like their brick-and-mortar counterparts, which means you can deposit money into the account, withdraw your funds and earn interest. The difference is that you can only manage the account online, through a mobile app or at an ATM, and not at a physical branch location.
A true online savings account is one that exists solely online, with no brick-and-mortar bank branch associated with it. This can mean more mobile banking features, higher interest rates, lower fees, and lower minimum balances than typically come with a traditional savings account.
Savings accounts supplement your everyday current account. You wouldn't make regular purchases with this account, instead, you'd put money into it when you're trying to save up, in this time it would also gain interest.
To bank online means to manage your bank accounts using your computer or mobile device. You can bank online — transfer money and pay bills electronically — through bank websites or by using a bank's mobile app. Banks often also offer check deposits via their mobile apps.
A savings account is a good place to keep money for a later date, separate from everyday spending cash, because it offers safety, liquidity and interest-earning potential for your funds. These accounts are a great place for your emergency fund or savings for shorter-term goals, such as a vacation or home repair.
Online savings accounts provide many benefits to consumers, including higher interest rates, convenient access to funds and low to no fees. Additionally, they're FDIC insured and often used advanced security technology, making them a safe place to save your money.
The benefits of an online savings account make it worthwhile
Online savings account benefits such as competitive interest rates, no monthly fees for maintenance, and easy access to your account aren't offered by all banks. Take the time to shop around and find the best fit for your needs and financial goals.
A savings account is a deposit account designed to hold money you don't plan to spend immediately. This is different from a checking account, a transactional account meant for everyday spending, allowing you to write checks or make purchases and ATM withdrawals using a debit card.
Savings is the amount of money left over after spending and other obligations are deducted from earnings. Savings represent money that is otherwise idle and not being put at risk with investments or spent on consumption. Savings accounts are very safe but tend to offer very low rates of return as a result.
A savings account can be defined as a deposit account held at a bank or financial institution, allowing customers to save money while earning interest. Union Bank of India's savings accounts are designed to provide a secure and convenient avenue for individuals to accumulate funds and grow their savings over time.
What are the cons of online savings account?
- Most don't have physical branch locations (less personal)
- Most online banks don't offer ATM cards (access to money might be limited)
- Online and mobile-only banks (require digital-savviness)
- Deposits and transfers may take longer.
- Interest Rates Can Vary. Interest rates for both traditional and high-yield savings accounts can vary along with the federal funds rate, the benchmark interest rate set by the Federal Reserve. ...
- May Have Minimum Balance Requirements. ...
- May Charge Fees. ...
- Interest Is Taxable.
You can't write checks from a savings account; instead, you can do so from a checking account, which is designed to provide that specific financial service.
You'll go to a teller, provide your account information, and tell them you want to take out money from your savings account. Transfer money to a checking account: If you use online banking, you can transfer money to your checking account. That way, you can use your account's debit card to access to your money.
The FDIC insures nearly all banks up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank. Your savings could be at risk if your account is compromised, though federal law does offer you some protection. Amassing a lot of money in your account can also be risky, especially if you're trying to save for long-term goals.
Bank | Zero-Balance Account | Minimum Balance |
---|---|---|
State Bank of India | All savings bank accounts are zero-balance accounts | |
Union Bank of India | Available | With Cheque book - Rs.1,000 Without Cheque book - Rs.500 |
HDFC Bank | Not available | Rs.10,000 |
ICICI Bank | Not available | Rs.10,000 |
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.
Technically, you might be able to pay bills using your savings account, if you can do a bank transfer with your account number, use a debit card linked to your savings, or use a payment app. However, your bank might limit savings account withdrawals to just six per month.
The lack of overhead gives internet banks advantages over traditional banks, including fewer or lower fees and accounts with higher APYs. Internet banks lack personal relationships, no proprietary ATMs, and more limited services.
Can you deposit cash in an online bank?
If your online bank is part of an ATM network, you can deposit cash into your online account via a linked cash machine. You can also consider getting a reloadable prepaid debit card that you can deposit cash onto and link it to your online bank account.
- Evergreen Bank Group – 5.25% APY.
- CFG Bank – 5.25% APY.
- Upgrade – 5.21% APY.
- EverBank (formerly TIAA Bank) – 5.15% APY.
- RBMAX – 5.15% APY.
- Bread Savings – 5.15% APY.
- Popular Direct – 5.15% APY.
- Western State Bank – 5.15% APY.
If an account doesn't have sufficient funds in it, the bank may not be able to cover its costs with interest from loans. To encourage customers to maintain higher balances, banks may set minimum savings account balances, on average these are going to be around $300 to $500 but some could be $100 or less.
Minimum balances aside, how much money can you have in a checking account? There is no maximum limit, but your checking account balance is only FDIC insured up to $250,000. However, as we'll cover shortly, it makes sense to put extra cash somewhere it will earn interest.
Banks must report cash deposits of more than $10,000 to the federal government. The deposit-reporting requirement is designed to combat money laundering and terrorism. Companies and other businesses generally must file an IRS Form 8300 for bank deposits exceeding $10,000.
References
- https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/banking/advice/how-to-get-cash-from-your-online-bank/
- https://www.ncoa.org/article/the-importance-of-high-yield-vs-traditional-savings-accounts
- https://groww.in/blog/best-savings-bank-accounts-you-can-opening
- https://fortune.com/recommends/banking/what-is-high-yield-savings-account/
- https://www.quora.com/How-can-you-deposit-100-000-in-cash-into-your-bank-with-no-hassles
- https://www.lloydsbank.com/banking-with-us/banking-at-the-post-office.html
- https://southernstatesbank.net/7-online-banking-safety-tips-you-need-to-know/
- https://scripbox.com/pf/my-account-balance/
- https://www.citizensbank.com/learning/50-30-20-budget.aspx
- https://www.hdfcbank.com/personal/ways-to-bank/online-banking/cardless-cash
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-online-stores-accept-routing-account-numbers-payment-f8pfe
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/alternatives-to-high-yield-savings-accounts/
- https://www.bankrate.com/banking/best-online-banks/
- https://www.chase.com/personal/banking/education/basics/what-you-need-to-know-about-mobile-deposits
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/pros-and-cons-of-savings-accounts/
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/11/benefits-and-drawbacks-of-internet-banks.asp
- https://cash.app/help/us/en-us/6488-paper-money-deposits
- https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/banks/articles/can-you-pay-bills-out-of-your-savings-account/
- https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/banks/high-yield-savings-pros-cons/
- https://money.slickdeals.net/articles/best-banks-for-fast-mobile-deposits/
- https://time.com/personal-finance/article/online-banking-security/
- https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/banking/best-online-banks/
- https://support.google.com/pay/india/answer/14010375?hl=en
- https://www.visualcapitalist.com/visualizing-the-investments-of-the-ultra-wealthy/
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/how-much-money-should-you-have-in-a-high-yield-savings-account/
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/how-to-use-high-yield-savings-account/
- https://www.thecyberhelpline.com/guides/hacked-online-bank-account
- https://www.financestrategists.com/banking/bank-account/can-a-bank-take-money-from-your-account/
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/banking/savings/questions-to-ask-opening-a-savings-account/
- https://www.quora.com/Can-a-virtual-card-receive-money
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-transfer-money-from-one-bank-account-another-sebastien-onutali-8x5me
- https://suitsmecard.com/blog/how-to-start-saving-the-beginners-guide
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-much-interest-can-you-earn-on-50000-in-one-year/
- https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/banks/articles/heres-how-much-20000-earns-in-a-savings-account/
- https://www.bankrate.com/banking/savings/online-vs-brick-and-mortar-banks/
- https://statrys.com/blog/virtual-bank-withdraw
- https://www.raisin.com/en-us/blogs/difference-between-high-yield-savings-accounts-and-cds
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/4-benefits-of-online-savings-accounts/
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-transfer-money-from-prepaid-card-cash-app-efang-brandon
- https://financebuzz.com/how-does-online-savings-account-work
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-much-is-too-much-money-for-a-high-yield-savings-account/
- https://www.quora.com/How-do-I-transfer-money-from-a-virtual-card-to-a-bank-account
- https://www.bankrate.com/banking/are-online-banks-safe/
- https://proton.me/blog/is-it-safe-to-email-bank-details
- https://www.investopedia.com/best-high-yield-savings-accounts-4770633
- https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/12/safest-place-for-money.asp
- https://www.rocketmoney.com/learn/personal-finance/cash-deposit-limit
- http://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/banking/advice/how-to-get-cash-from-your-online-bank/
- https://www.quora.com/Can-you-withdraw-money-from-an-ATM-without-a-card-by-punching-the-card-number-and-the-information-on-the-card-manually
- https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/what-happens-if-i-deposit-more-than-10000-dollars/
- https://moneyview.in/savings-account/what-is-minimum-balance-in-savings-account
- https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/direct-deposit-into-someones-bank-account/
- https://www.paisabazaar.com/debit-card/virtual-debit-card/
- https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/banking/advice/best-online-banks-for-cash-deposits/
- https://coincodex.com/article/33788/worst-banks-in-america/
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/banking/savings/are-high-yield-savings-accounts-worth-it/
- https://fortune.com/recommends/banking/best-online-banks/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/taxes-on-savings-account-interest-high-yield-savings
- https://www.occ.gov/topics/consumers-and-communities/consumer-protection/depository-services/checking-accounts.html
- https://www.discover.com/online-banking/banking-topics/protect-your-bank-account/
- https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/banks/online-pros-cons/
- https://www.unfcu.org/financial-wellness/50-30-20-rule/
- https://www.preferredbank.com/personal/products-and-services/expanded-insurance-protection
- https://www.investopedia.com/are-online-banks-safe-7642966
- https://www.hrblock.com/tax-center/irs/audits-and-tax-notices/tax-dictionary-form-1099-int-interest-income/
- https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/money/are-online-banks-safe
- https://altmanassociates.net/banks-making-it-harder-to-deposit-cash-into-others-accounts/
- https://www.yesbank.in/personal-banking/yes-individual/savings-account/digital-savings-account
- https://www.unionbankofindia.co.in/english/ultimate-guide-to-savings-accounts.aspx
- https://preyproject.com/blog/have-i-been-hacked
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/banking/savings/tax-for-savings-account/
- https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/banking/savings/should-you-open-a-savings-account/
- https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/how-to-insure-excess-deposits/
- https://www.gobankingrates.com/banking/banks/best-banks-for-dealing-with-identity-theft-and-fraud/
- https://privacy.com/blog/how-to-use-a-virtual-card
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/easy-guide-instant-transfer-routing-account-number-without
- https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/24/how-much-money-americans-have-in-savings.html
- https://www.investopedia.com/what-happens-if-my-bank-fails-7378029
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/how-to-withdraw-money-from-checking-account-without-debit-card/
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/banking/safest-banks-in-the-us/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/can-you-take-money-out-of-a-savings-account
- https://www.usnews.com/banking/articles/how-many-savings-accounts-should-you-have
- https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/banks/articles/how-safe-really-are-savings-accounts/
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/should-i-move-all-of-my-money-to-a-high-yield-savings-account/
- https://www.quora.com/How-much-cash-can-be-deposited-into-a-savings-bank-account-per-year-without-being-taxed-by-the-Internal-Revenue-Service-IRS
- https://www.discover.com/online-banking/banking-topics/4-benefits-of-using-online-savings-accounts/
- https://www.stgeorge.com.au/online-services/mobile-banking/cardless-cash
- https://tipalti.com/payments-hub/what-is-ach-withdrawal/
- https://www.investopedia.com/how-much-cash-can-you-deposit-at-a-bank-8553483
- https://www.newsweek.com/vault/banking/savings/7-percent-savings-account-interest-rates/
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/average-minimum-balances-online-savings-151234637.html
- https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/5-key-signs-youre-keeping-too-much-money-in-your-savings-account
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/brick-and-mortar-banks-vs-online-banks/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/banking/pros-cons-online-only-banking
- https://www.synchronybank.com/blog/what-is-a-high-interest-savings-account/
- https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/financial-and-insurance-scams/bank-and-check-scams
- https://www.bankrate.com/banking/checking/cant-deposit-cash-into-someone-elses-account-these-are-your-options/
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-much-you-can-make-depositing-10000-into-high-yield-savings-account/
- https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/money/how-to-deposit-cash-into-someone-elses-account
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/banks-best-dealing-identity-theft-130001499.html
- https://www.quora.com/Why-do-bank-tellers-always-ask-where-I-got-the-cash-Im-depositing
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/how-to-deposit-cash-at-online-bank/
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/much-money-millionaires-put-checking-120013872.html
- https://www.ceauthority.com/StudyGuideContent/FAQS/AML%20glossary_0205.pdf
- https://www.skynova.com/learn/taxes/cash-deposits
- https://www.td.com/us/en/personal-banking/finance/money-management-deposits
- https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/high-yield-savings-accounts-vs-regular-savings
- https://www.bankrate.com/banking/savings/what-is-a-savings-account/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/banking/deposit-cash-online-bank
- https://www.payoneer.com/resources/online-banking/
- https://www.investopedia.com/high-yield-interest-impact-on-taxes-8414834
- https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/banks/online-banks-safe/
- https://smartasset.com/checking-account/money-market-vs-high-yield-savings-which-is-best
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/banking/best-online-banks/
- https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/banks/articles/are-savings-accounts-100-risk-free-the-answer-is-no-for-these-scenarios/
- https://fortune.com/recommends/banking/best-savings-accounts/
- https://www.fdic.gov/resources/consumers/consumer-news/2023-10.html
- https://www.sfgate.com/realestate/article/online-banks-pros-cons-17784422.php
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/savings.asp
- https://www.chase.com/personal/banking/education/basics/can-you-deposit-cash-at-an-atm
- https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/banks/checking-accounts/how-much-should-i-keep-in-my-checking-account/
- https://apps.irs.gov/app/understandingTaxes/hows/tax_tutorials/mod03/tt_mod03_glossary.jsp?backPage=tt_mod03_01.jsp
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/banking/savings/what-is-a-savings-account/
- https://www.commbank.com.au/digital-banking/deposit-atms.html
- https://www.paycec.com/faq/how-do-i-turn-my-virtual-card-into-cash
- https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/what-can-someone-do-with-your-bank-account-and-routing-number/
- https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/can-you-write-checks-from-a-savings-account/
- https://www.discover.com/online-banking/banking-topics/what-is-an-online-savings-account/