A Brief Guide to E-Banking and its Merits

E-banking, often known as electronic banking, refers to all types of financial services and transactions that take place through the internet. Individuals, institutions, and enterprises can use a public or private network, such as the internet, to access their accounts, conduct business, or acquire information on various financial goods and services.

E-banking refers to all financial transactions conducted through the internet by any financial institution. You may use all of the services that a traditional bank provides – from paying bills and depositing cash into accounts to applying for the credit – without ever leaving your comfortable place.

Services of E-Banking

Below is the insight of the services of the E-Banking available in India.

1. Internet banking is an electronic banking service that allows users to conduct a variety of financial and non-financial activities over the internet. Customers can use the internet, often known as online banking or net-banking, to transfer money from one bank account to another, check account balances, read bank statements, pay utility bills, and much more.
2. Mobile Banking: With this electronic banking system, consumers can conduct financial and non-financial transactions using their mobile phones. The majority of banks have released mobile banking apps that are available on The Google play and Apple App Store. Customers can even use the smartphone app to get the banking services in the same way that they can with the web-based site.
3. One of the most common types of e-banking is Automated Teller Machines (ATM).Customers can use ATMs to withdraw money, deposit money, alter their PIN of the Debit Card PIN, and perform other banking transactions. A user must also have a password in order to use an ATM. If a transaction is made from an ATM of another bank, banks charge a modest fee to consumers after they have exceeded the stipulated maximum of free transactions.
4.  The debit Card- A debit card is carried by almost everyone. The card is connected to the account of the bank and lets you go without cash. A debit card can be used for any form of transaction, and the amount is quickly deducted from your account.
5. Pay by the Phone Systems: The service allows a consumer to call his or her bank and request a bill payment or a money transfer to another account.
6. The Point-of-Sale Transfer Terminal: The service enables clients to pay for their purchases instantaneously using a debit or credit card.

Merits of the E-Banking

From the perspective of bank clients, the main benefit is a large time savings due to the automation of banking service processing and the provision of simple maintenance tools for managing customer funds. The following are the primary benefits of e-banking for corporate customers: 

• Access to and use of banking services is less expensive.
• Increased convenience and time savings as the transactions can be completed 24 hours a day, without the need for a physical visit to the bank. 
• Corporations will have quicker access to information because they will be able to check on several accounts with a single click of a button. Moreover, it helps in better cash management as the E-banking services shorten the cash cycle and boost corporate efficiency.
• Cost savings- It refers to the price of obtaining and using various banking products and services.
• Convenience- All banking transactions can be completed from the comfort of a customer’s home, office, or any other location.
• Speed – Because the medium responds quickly, customers can literally wait until the last minute to complete a fund transfer.
• Funds management- the Customers can get their account history and perform a “what-if” analysis with their own PC before completing any online transaction. This will result in more efficient money management.

Advantages to the Business

1. Better efficiency: The utility of electronic banking increases as it enables the computerization of routine payments and provides additional financial services to improve the productivity of the company.
2. Lower costs: In most financial relationships and connections, costs are determined by the assets used. If a given firm requires extra assistance with deposits, a wire transfers, and other services, the bank will charge greater fees. These charges are minimised while using the e-banking services.
3. Lesser errors: the Electronic financial transactions reduce the number of errors that occur in traditional financial transactions. Poor penmanship, jumbled data or information, and other factors can lead to costly errors. Similarly, a simple audit of the records or account activity, mobility improves the accuracy of monetary transactions.
4. Reduced misrepresentation: Electronic banking allows all representatives who reserve the right to change banking activities a more advanced impression. As a result, the company’s transactions are more visible, making it more difficult for fraudsters to perpetrate crimes.

Demerits of the E-Banking

• Account reviews: Using a web-based financial interface, business owners and assigned staff members can quickly access records. This enables them to audit the record action as well as ensure the account’s seamless operation.
• Customer and Banker Lack of Personal Contact: Online banking encounters a barrier to direct engagement between the banks and the clients. Customers communicate with banks via their websites. Customers are occasionally unable to settle their difficulties by contacting the bank virtually.

Conclusion

In recent years, the banking sector has been a pioneer in the e-business world. The e-banking wave has transformed the banking industry by breaking down barriers and creating new opportunities. It has had a substantial impact on strategic business concerns for banks in India as well, by dramatically lowering delivery and transaction costs. However, while e-banking offers many advantages to both users and banks, it also increases traditional banking dangers. Expansion of product options and geographic reach are further advantages. With all of these advantages, banks can succeed in the financial sector. However, e-banking is a complex industry, and banks confront numerous obstacles.