As commercialisation of the internet evolved in the early 1990s, traditional brick-and-mortar banks began to investigate ways of delivering limited online services to reduce operating costs.  

The success of these early efforts led many banks to expand their internet presence. This resulted in improved websites that featured the ability to open new accounts, download forms and process loan applications. This has then become to be known as internet banking. 

The efficiency of banking on the internet has bought reduction of operating costs, savings in labour and overhead costs on to customers and reduced service fees. Some accounts can be opened with no minimum deposits and carry no minimum balance or service fees. 

Internet banking is also convenient as you can access it anywhere there’s an internet connection. They’re open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This makes banking faster, easier, more efficient and even more effective because consumers are able to always stay on top of their account balances.  

Updating and maintaining a direct account is also easier. It takes only minutes to change your mailing address, order additional checks and check for current interest rates. There’s ease of use as online accounts are easy to set up and require no more information than a traditional bank account.  

Many offer the option of inputting your data online or downloading the forms and mailing them in. If you run into a problem, you’ve the option of calling or emailing the bank directly.  

Then of course with now the use of online mobile banking, with its mobile capabilities now provides internet banking on the go. New applications are continually being created to expand and improve internet banking capability on smartphones and other mobile devices. 

Online banking is also environmentally friendly. Electronic transmissions require no paper, reduce vehicle traffic and are virtually pollution-free. They also eliminate the need for buildings and office equipment.