6 Features Your Primary Bank Should Have

When you are opening a new checking account, one of the most important things to consider is the range of banking features that come with the account. Research shows that technology is taking over in banking and financial management in general. According to a survey by the Federal Reserve, nearly half of mobile-phone owners who had a bank account in 2017 reported using mobile banking services in the 12 months prior to the survey. 

Certain bank-account features are indispensable if you want convenient access to your money as well as the ability to pay bills, make transfers quickly and manage your balances. Some important things to look for when opening a new bank account are:

A debit card allows you to pay for purchases without having to carry cash. If you do need a few bucks, you can hit the ATM or get cash back at the register. A NextAdvisor survey found that 42% of consumers chose debit as their preferred way to pay. When opening a new bank account, be sure that a debit card is included and check to see whether there’s any fee for having one.

Being able to check your balance from your smartphone or laptop is invaluable if you like to keep a close eye on your bottom line. That’s particularly important if you want to avoid expensive overdraft fees. According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), banks raked in $2.5 billion in overdraft fees during the first quarter of 2016 alone. Overall, average overdraft fees at banks have risen from $20 in 2000 to $30 in 2017. Knowing what you have on hand and what you’re spending can keep you from losing money to fees.  

Mobile check deposit saves you the hassle of having to make a trip to the bank. You just snap a picture of your check with your smart phone and, with a few taps of a button, the check is  deposited without your ever having to hit the teller window or even an ATM. Just keep in mind that some banks enforce a longer check hold time when you’re making deposits via a mobile device.

Online bill pay is another feature that you should look for in a primary bank if you’re tired of writing checks. Federal Reserve data show that 80% of consumers who had paper checks on hand didn't use them even once in 2017; three-quarters used online banking. Paying bills online eliminates the hassle of writing checks and mailing them. Even better, you can automate your monthly payments, so you don’t have to worry about paying late.

While you’re scheduling your automatic bill payments, you should also be setting up text and email alerts for your accounts. You could, for example, set an alert notifying you when your balance drops to a certain point or each time a new transaction posts to your account. That could really come in handy if you’re concerned about a hacker stealing your account information and making fraudulent charges.

Identity theft is no laughing matter. Nearly four in 10 consumers say their bank accounts have been targeted by cyber attacks, according to a KPMG report. When comparing bank accounts, be sure to ask about the security measures a particular bank has in place. Find out, for example, whether fraud monitoring and an on/off switch for your debit and credit cards are available, and take other steps to keep your card transactions safe.

One final thing to keep in mind when looking for a primary bank or credit union account is whether or not it is insured. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the National Credit Union Administration offer coverage of up to $250,000 per deposit account at banks and credit unions, respectively. But they aren’t mandated to have this coverage. When comparing banks and credit unions, check their insurance status to make sure your hard-earned dollars are protected.