The bank is an institution that has been very beneficial to our world. Banking began with the aim of providing us with safe places to keep our money. However, they have been able to add a lot of services over the years including giving out loans, allowing people to pay bills and giving out cards that can be used to withdraw money and make payments among many others. This article will explain the difference between a physical bank and an online bank.
What is a physical bank?
A physical bank is the type of bank that you can visit in your locality. They provide a physical location to store money. It is easier to trust these banks since they have a physical and verifiable office that you can easily visit whenever there is an issue. They mostly operate under the rules of the city or country. They are licensed and regulated by the government and to a very large extent, the deposit of the customers of a reputable bank is guaranteed. Even if the bank is to shut down, government regulations and insurance will lead to depositors getting their money back.
What is an online bank?
An online bank is a bank that operates on the Internet. For this type of banks, you can visit them through a website or their mobile app. In most cases, they also have phone numbers and social media platforms that you can use in communicating with them. They give you a high level of freedom over your account as you can load your account and use their services through their available platform without having to visit the bank. An example of an online bank is Transferwise. You can follow the link to read reviews about Transferwise, how reputable they are and tips on using their platform.
Similarities between physical banks and online banks
The major similarity between physical banks and online banks is that they provide the same services. They both exist as a platform where you can save money, pay bills, transfer money, get loans and every other service that a bank offers. Thus, virtually every service you can get from a physical bank, you can also get from an online bank, making both types of banks a great option when you need banking services.
Differences between physical banks and online banks
The major difference between physical banks and online banks is the fact that one has an office building locally that you can easily visit, while the other does not. Their mode for certain services could also be a bit different. For example, some transactions you might need from a physical bank might require you being physically present in the bank and presenting paperwork. However, when it comes to online banks, every service can be carried out remotely. Physical banks also gives you the opportunity to store physical stuffs like jewelry and important documents, while you might not get such opportunities with online banks.
The current state of physical and online banks
The important of online presence for any business is widely known. As a result, virtually every physical bank not only have a website and mobile application, but they also provide online banking services. Online banks also strive to have at least an office that they list on their website to get some of the trust that comes with having a physical location. Furthermore, most online banks strive to provide cheaper services since they know physical banks have an extra advantage. Thus, while the extra advantage of physical banks is the fact that they have a physical presence, online banks try to counter the advantage by being cheaper and more flexible.