Key Takeaways
- Most banks and credit unions allow you to open a deposit account via your computer, tablet or smartphone.
- To open an account, you’ll need to provide personal details such as your address, birthday, phone number and Social Security Number.
- You may need to make a minimum deposit when you open an account.
If you don’t remember the last time you visited a bank branch, you’re not alone. Research from the American Bankers Association shows that only 9% of banking customers rely on physical branches as their primary method for account management. It’s not just about managing the account, though. You also don’t need to visit a branch location to open a new checking or savings account.
Both online banks and those with brick-and-mortar locations make it easy to open a new account without going anywhere. While the process for applying for a new bank account online is similar across the entire banking industry, the features, balance requirements, fees and services you’ll receive after you open an account can look very different. Read on to learn about what you’ll need to open a bank account online and how to compare all your options to find the right fit.
How do you open a bank account online?
When you apply for a new bank account online, you’ll need to provide personal information including your full name, address, birth date and Social Security number. Make sure you also have a copy of your driver’s license or state ID, as some banks will ask for a copy of the identification. Before you apply, do some research to determine if you’ll need to make a deposit at the time you open the new account. If so, you’ll need to know how you plan to fund the account.
1. Choose an account
We all have different preferences when it comes to banking. You might want to open an account with a familiar credit union, or one with nearby in-person banking services. Or you could pick an online bank for convenience, better rates and evolving banking features, like early direct deposit.
Make sure to compare account perks and offers from several banks to see where you can get the best deals and savings. Consider these questions before choosing an account:
- Can you open an account online? While most banks offer online accounts, some with physical branches require you to show up in person to open certain accounts. Be sure to check the requirements first.
- Are your deposits federally insured? The bank or credit union you choose should be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Program or the National Credit Union Administration. FDIC and NCUA insurance protects your deposits up to $250,000 per person, per bank, for each account category. That means your deposits are protected if your bank declares bankruptcy or goes out of business.
- Is it an interest-earning account? The Federal Reserve is holding interest rates steady to beat back inflation, which has pushed annual percentage yields, or APYs, higher for deposit accounts. Right now, you can earn the most interest on your deposits with high-yield savings accounts, money market accounts and certificates of deposit.
- Do you need easy access to a physical location? If access to a physical branch is important, consider a local bank, credit union or a national bank with branches in your area. If in-person customer service isn’t important to you, online-only banks often come with better perks and benefits.
- What are the fees and minimum balance requirements? Some banks charge monthly maintenance fees, out-of-network ATM fees or overdraft fees. Other banks have minimum balance requirements or transaction caps. Keep in mind that online-only banks tend to have fewer overhead costs and pass the savings on to you through lower fees and higher APYs.
Types of online bank accounts
Here’s an overview of different bank accounts you might be interested in opening online:
- Checking account: A checking account is great for regular deposits and withdrawals. It usually pays only modest (if any) interest on your balance, and there may be fees. These accounts usually come with checks and a debit card.
- High-yield savings account: A high-yield savings account may offer a relatively high APY, especially compared to a regular savings account at a traditional banking institution. Online banks tend to offer more competitive APYs.
- Money market account: A money market account combines elements of a traditional checking account and a high-yield savings account, allowing you to make withdrawals and earn a higher interest rate on your money. These accounts often come with higher minimum balance requirements and fees.
- Certificate of deposit: CDs are deposit accounts that provide a fixed APY in exchange for keeping your money in the account for a preset period, or term. If you withdraw money before the term is up, you may face early withdrawal penalties, so it’s important to choose a term that fits your savings timeline.
2. Gather what you need for the application
Once you’ve picked an online account type and a bank or credit union, it’s time to get the application started. Whether you’re opening an individual account, or you want to share access with a partner, parent or child with a joint account, you’ll have to gather some documentation.
Here are some of the personal details you’ll likely need to provide:
- Driver’s license or another type of government-issued ID
- A bill with your name, like a utility or phone bill
- Physical address, email address, phone number
- Birthdate
- Social Security number (if you aren’t a US citizen, you’ll need to find a bank or credit union that lets you use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number to apply)
3. Fill out the bank application
Most online bank applications let you upload or input your documentation securely. If you’re opening a joint account, your co-applicant will probably be required to provide some or all of these details as well. Find out what your bank requires from co-applicants before you complete your application.
4. Make a deposit
You can make your first deposit into your new bank account immediately, but many banks don’t require this. If your bank does require a minimum deposit, find out how much so you can have the amount handy.
You can fund your account in a few ways, depending on what the bank allows:
- In-person: Provide a check or cash to start your account.
- Online: Take a picture of a check to deposit it or transfer funds electronically from an existing account by providing a routing number.
The bottom line
Opening a bank account online is fast and convenient. Finding the right bank account, however, will take more time. Start by researching which banking services and features you want so you can narrow down your search. After that, the process for opening a bank account online or in person is relatively simple.
And remember that changing banks doesn’t affect your credit score. You can change banks or accounts whenever you’re ready, as long as you factor in any potential fees.
FAQs
Most banks offer online accounts -- whether the bank has physical branches or only operates online. That includes national banks, small community banks, credit unions and online-only institutions. Note that some smaller institutions, such as community banks or credit unions, may not offer an experience that’s as intuitive and well-designed as larger banks.
If you open an account at an online-only bank, there’s likely no branch location to visit. In most cases you don’t need to visit a physical branch to open an account, even if your bank has a physical location. But some banks and credit unions do offer specific accounts and bonuses to customers who sign up at a physical location. Additionally, while online banks tout higher savings rates, larger banks with physical branches may be more appealing, especially if you want in-person customer service.
To close an old bank account, call or visit your bank and speak to someone who can assist you with your request. Decide if you want to cash out the money or use it until the account balance is zero. If you close your account online or over the phone, the bank may ask you for an address to mail your final check. Before closing your bank account, update your subscriptions and monthly bills with your new bill-pay information to avoid late fees.
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