There are a number of things to consider before opening your first bank account. The first thing to consider before opening your first bank account is whether or not you have enough money to warrant opening such an account. If you don't have a job or some other source of income (parents? inheritance? lottery money?) then there is no point in bothering. If you do have some income and want a safe place for your money, here are some things to consider when trying to find the right bank for you.
Some banks require that you keep a certain amount of money in your account at all times and if you fall below this amount, you will be charged. Some banks charge a monthly service fee just for having the account open. If you don't have an income to put in the bank this can add up over time and you may end up in the red with no money to cover this expense.
Most bank accounts will allow for automated banking services, but you will have to pay. There is a limit on the number of free transactions and always a fee if you use another bank's ATM machine.
When opening your first account, you must consider convenience, such as how numerous are their ATM machines and whether they have branches in most countries in the world. You need to consider the hours the bank is open and accessibility to ATM's after hours. It is convenient to have a bank located close to home so that when you need to go to the bank in person, it's not a huge hassle. Try to choose a bank that's been around for awhile with a solid reputation in the banking world. Look for a bank with friendly service that will treat you like a VIP even if your account balance is only $100.
You must be eighteen years of age to open a bank account and have a piece of identification such as a driver's license or birth certificate to offer as proof. Most banks will want your social security number and a passport to prove you are who you say you are.
Some questions to ask a potential banking institutions before you commit are: "Is there a minimum balance? What is the interest rate of my account? And is your bank insured? (You want the bank to be insured so you get your money back in case it ever goes bankrupt)
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Monday, September 22, 2008
How to Safely Use The Online/Internet Banking And Also Protect Yourself Against Tricksters?
53 million internet users or 44% of the internet community use internet or online banking for processing their own transaction. There is a staggering 47% increase in online users as compared to the total number of American online user according to online banking report 2005.
Two very significant factors play a very important role in explaining this unprecedented increase in the use of online banking services:-
1)There is the availability of internet itself. With broadband in most homes, more and more people are using the internet and are therefore more comfortable with it. The initial fear of this technology is being replaced with the positive benefits that internet brings to everyone.
Research suggests that the 28 to 39 year old age group are more likely to use the online banking service. This makes sense because this sector of the market is made up of high earners. It is no co-incidence that this age group; by virtue of their familiarity with this technology, use the internet and online banking so that they can make better use of their time.
2)Online or internet banking offers the flexibility and the ease with which one can conduct ones financial affairs online. Imagine the scenario, you are on a train from Inverness in Scotland to London and you have 6 hours before you board a plane to Atlanta.
There is an argument for you to connect your laptop to the internet via your data card on your phone to sort things out before reaching the airport. I have heard of people working frantically to finish things off because they are leaving to go on holiday or going on business.
There is no need to rush around because the internet is here and that means you can log into your online banking account from any where in the world and do the business. Your password is your access to your own online account and the rest is just a couple of clicks away.
If I can pay all my bills online, transfer money between my other accounts and increase my monthly mortgage instalment this month because of windfall, where is the downside?
There are security and safe transactions issues associated with internet banking such as:-
1)People steeling your identity by hacking into your account and then spending your money. This problem is not as wide spread as media would suggest.
2)You giving your account information to unscrupulous online tricksters. You can fall prey to e-mail scams asking you to update your information because of some security issues. Such e-mails can persuade you to pass your sensitive account details for fraudsters to copy, sell and distribute to criminals across the world.
3)If you keep your account/password information in your wallet then in the event of your wallet being stolen or lost your secure data can end up finding itself in the hands of criminals..
Finally, the benefits of online banking out way the disadvantages of this service. You can minimise the risk of fraud by implementing your own security. Simple measures to keep your account information to yourself like memorising your password and not replying to e-mails asking for your information to be updated will go a long way to protect you against online fraud. If hackers hack into the banks security system and steel all your money then the bank's own insurance will make your loss good. So there is no issue there for you to be concerned about.
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Two very significant factors play a very important role in explaining this unprecedented increase in the use of online banking services:-
1)There is the availability of internet itself. With broadband in most homes, more and more people are using the internet and are therefore more comfortable with it. The initial fear of this technology is being replaced with the positive benefits that internet brings to everyone.
Research suggests that the 28 to 39 year old age group are more likely to use the online banking service. This makes sense because this sector of the market is made up of high earners. It is no co-incidence that this age group; by virtue of their familiarity with this technology, use the internet and online banking so that they can make better use of their time.
2)Online or internet banking offers the flexibility and the ease with which one can conduct ones financial affairs online. Imagine the scenario, you are on a train from Inverness in Scotland to London and you have 6 hours before you board a plane to Atlanta.
There is an argument for you to connect your laptop to the internet via your data card on your phone to sort things out before reaching the airport. I have heard of people working frantically to finish things off because they are leaving to go on holiday or going on business.
There is no need to rush around because the internet is here and that means you can log into your online banking account from any where in the world and do the business. Your password is your access to your own online account and the rest is just a couple of clicks away.
If I can pay all my bills online, transfer money between my other accounts and increase my monthly mortgage instalment this month because of windfall, where is the downside?
There are security and safe transactions issues associated with internet banking such as:-
1)People steeling your identity by hacking into your account and then spending your money. This problem is not as wide spread as media would suggest.
2)You giving your account information to unscrupulous online tricksters. You can fall prey to e-mail scams asking you to update your information because of some security issues. Such e-mails can persuade you to pass your sensitive account details for fraudsters to copy, sell and distribute to criminals across the world.
3)If you keep your account/password information in your wallet then in the event of your wallet being stolen or lost your secure data can end up finding itself in the hands of criminals..
Finally, the benefits of online banking out way the disadvantages of this service. You can minimise the risk of fraud by implementing your own security. Simple measures to keep your account information to yourself like memorising your password and not replying to e-mails asking for your information to be updated will go a long way to protect you against online fraud. If hackers hack into the banks security system and steel all your money then the bank's own insurance will make your loss good. So there is no issue there for you to be concerned about.
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8 Golden Rules For Safe And Secure Online Banking
1)Good security software which must be updated regularly.
Make your computer secure by installing good security devices. Ensure that your computer security software is set up to update security enhancements as and when they become available. This is very important because security patches are released primarily to fix a security issue or weakness. Installing the patch as soon as it becomes available will help you protect your online banking account information from thieves.
2)Anti-virus software to be installed.
Installing anti-virus software will offer some protection against prying eyes into your online banking business. There are a lot of these anti-virus software packages on the market names such as Mcafee and Norton are well known. Some anti-virus software advisers will even refer to "FREE" anti-virus software packages for the task of providing security. This is a false economy. People in some quarters advocate AVG but a paid version as opposed to a sponsored one.
3)Personal fire wall.
Personal fire wall is a gate which you can use to choose your visitors from entering your machine as well as leaving it. Personal fire wall prevents and stops unauthorised traffic from and to your machine. The suggested products to provide an extra layer of security to your online banking needs are Zone lab's famous Zone Alarm Pro fro example. The negative side effect of Zone Alarm is that it causes problems when you run certain software. In those circumstances, you are required to disable this security function before continuing to run your software. But Zone Alarm does have world wide recognition and use.
4)Password, its choice and its security.
Your password is your access to you're your online banking account. Never use a password which is easily recognisable. For example, if your first name is "Trish" then it is advisable for you not to use your first name as your password on your account.
5)Don't use same password for several accounts.
Never use the same password for several accounts. This practice may not look bad on the surface but it increases the risk of password information falling into the wrong hands. For example, your online banking password could be $12wed8 or something similar.
6)Record of your password.
Never write your password down. There are several arguments both for and against this statement. Yes, there should be a record of your account details which must be kept in a safe somewhere. However, having your password information in your wallet is not advised because you could possibly lose your wallet or it may be stolen.
7)Sending password information to others online.
Never give your password details to anyone online for example. Information which is passed to others over the internet remains on the internet for ever. Some one somewhere will have a copy of your previously sent information and that fact makes your password information unsecure and less safe.
8)Have anti-spyware software installed on your machine.
Spyware programs end up on your hard drive via down load. An innocent request for information about a product can result in a spyware program sitting on your hard drive. Their function is to monitor computer usage activity and then communicate that information to its owner. In a nutshell, it collects marketing information.
However, it can also be used to collect sensitive and secure information. Information like your password and account information in relation to an online banking transaction. Therefore, having a anti-spy program will protect your against third party collecting information about your online banking activities.
Finally, online banking is growing at a very fast rate so much so that all the high street banks are offering online banking to its customers. There are big advantages for the banks because the transactions and therefore the work is done by the customers themselves and customers can access their online bank account 24/7. It is a win-win situation for all parties.
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Make your computer secure by installing good security devices. Ensure that your computer security software is set up to update security enhancements as and when they become available. This is very important because security patches are released primarily to fix a security issue or weakness. Installing the patch as soon as it becomes available will help you protect your online banking account information from thieves.
2)Anti-virus software to be installed.
Installing anti-virus software will offer some protection against prying eyes into your online banking business. There are a lot of these anti-virus software packages on the market names such as Mcafee and Norton are well known. Some anti-virus software advisers will even refer to "FREE" anti-virus software packages for the task of providing security. This is a false economy. People in some quarters advocate AVG but a paid version as opposed to a sponsored one.
3)Personal fire wall.
Personal fire wall is a gate which you can use to choose your visitors from entering your machine as well as leaving it. Personal fire wall prevents and stops unauthorised traffic from and to your machine. The suggested products to provide an extra layer of security to your online banking needs are Zone lab's famous Zone Alarm Pro fro example. The negative side effect of Zone Alarm is that it causes problems when you run certain software. In those circumstances, you are required to disable this security function before continuing to run your software. But Zone Alarm does have world wide recognition and use.
4)Password, its choice and its security.
Your password is your access to you're your online banking account. Never use a password which is easily recognisable. For example, if your first name is "Trish" then it is advisable for you not to use your first name as your password on your account.
5)Don't use same password for several accounts.
Never use the same password for several accounts. This practice may not look bad on the surface but it increases the risk of password information falling into the wrong hands. For example, your online banking password could be $12wed8 or something similar.
6)Record of your password.
Never write your password down. There are several arguments both for and against this statement. Yes, there should be a record of your account details which must be kept in a safe somewhere. However, having your password information in your wallet is not advised because you could possibly lose your wallet or it may be stolen.
7)Sending password information to others online.
Never give your password details to anyone online for example. Information which is passed to others over the internet remains on the internet for ever. Some one somewhere will have a copy of your previously sent information and that fact makes your password information unsecure and less safe.
8)Have anti-spyware software installed on your machine.
Spyware programs end up on your hard drive via down load. An innocent request for information about a product can result in a spyware program sitting on your hard drive. Their function is to monitor computer usage activity and then communicate that information to its owner. In a nutshell, it collects marketing information.
However, it can also be used to collect sensitive and secure information. Information like your password and account information in relation to an online banking transaction. Therefore, having a anti-spy program will protect your against third party collecting information about your online banking activities.
Finally, online banking is growing at a very fast rate so much so that all the high street banks are offering online banking to its customers. There are big advantages for the banks because the transactions and therefore the work is done by the customers themselves and customers can access their online bank account 24/7. It is a win-win situation for all parties.
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Offshore Banking - Does It Pays To Go Abroad?
While you might presume anyone with 'money in offshore accounts' is involved in some scurrilous business affairs, the truth is that anyone can use this form of investment as a totally legitimate way to defer or reduce your tax payments.
Locations for offshore accounts can be held in banks in British waters - the Channel Islands or Isle of Man for example, or you could look further afield to the Republic of Ireland or Luxembourg. As with other investments, there are different ways to send your money abroad, with different levels of risk attached.
Some of the benefits include current accounts with higher levels of interest - check out the high street banks, many of which offer offshore instant access accounts. These are a relatively safe way to invest. There are also 'notice' savings accounts which can yield exceptionally high rates of interest.
You may choose to put money into an offshore investment fund, which is similar to the normal onshore type, only you usually find that you pay a performance related fee to your fund manager. This could mean that they have more incentive to make sure your money is working hard for you. Check investment companies like Schroders and Gartmore for this type of fund.
Money funds are a high risk form of investing - your funds will be pooled with those of other investors' and used to buy international currency at wholesale rates. Your shares will be exposed to the vagaries of international exchange rates, and this can be a nerve-wrackingly unpredictable way to invest abroad.
More and more people are choosing to buy property abroad - whether as future dream retirement home or as profit making venture. In Eastern Europe and the Middle East you can pick up property for remarkably low prices - developments and agencies advertise in the property sections of newspapers, and websites abound. While this could prove a sound long-term way of investing, there are numerous things to take into account - the stability of a country's economy, complicated legal agreements and the cost of travel to and from the property are major factors.
Different countries operate wildly different property law, and you will need to get sound advice on all the implications before buying abroad. Check things like inheritance law - for example, in France, there are obstacles to simply leaving property to named recipients in your will. If you do buy abroad, you will probably find it useful to open a multi-currency account.
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Locations for offshore accounts can be held in banks in British waters - the Channel Islands or Isle of Man for example, or you could look further afield to the Republic of Ireland or Luxembourg. As with other investments, there are different ways to send your money abroad, with different levels of risk attached.
Some of the benefits include current accounts with higher levels of interest - check out the high street banks, many of which offer offshore instant access accounts. These are a relatively safe way to invest. There are also 'notice' savings accounts which can yield exceptionally high rates of interest.
You may choose to put money into an offshore investment fund, which is similar to the normal onshore type, only you usually find that you pay a performance related fee to your fund manager. This could mean that they have more incentive to make sure your money is working hard for you. Check investment companies like Schroders and Gartmore for this type of fund.
Money funds are a high risk form of investing - your funds will be pooled with those of other investors' and used to buy international currency at wholesale rates. Your shares will be exposed to the vagaries of international exchange rates, and this can be a nerve-wrackingly unpredictable way to invest abroad.
More and more people are choosing to buy property abroad - whether as future dream retirement home or as profit making venture. In Eastern Europe and the Middle East you can pick up property for remarkably low prices - developments and agencies advertise in the property sections of newspapers, and websites abound. While this could prove a sound long-term way of investing, there are numerous things to take into account - the stability of a country's economy, complicated legal agreements and the cost of travel to and from the property are major factors.
Different countries operate wildly different property law, and you will need to get sound advice on all the implications before buying abroad. Check things like inheritance law - for example, in France, there are obstacles to simply leaving property to named recipients in your will. If you do buy abroad, you will probably find it useful to open a multi-currency account.
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Children's Bank Accounts And Planning Your Family's Future
Everybody wants to give their children the best possible start in life, and make their future as secure as possible. Two ways of helping them, money-wise, are by encouraging them to save with their own bank account, and by making investments on their behalf.
Children's Accounts
Most high street banks offer children's accounts, usually a straightforward bank account with a moderate interest rate. These often come with incentives like free piggy banks that are intended to help children develop a sense of responsibility and prudence about money from an early age. You may like to give your child a financial education by opening them their 'own' account - though there's nothing to stop you using a normal adult account with better rates of interest.
National Savings
The Children's Bonus Bonds are a tax-free savings account specifically aimed at children. You can invest between £25 and £3000 a year for five years and get guaranteed interest, plus a bonus. Many people choose to give Premium Bonds as gifts for children's birthdays. If they win, it could give them the best present ever!
Child Trust Bonds
The government have introduced a special scheme to give children a savings account from the very beginning. Any child born after 1st September 2002 is entitled to a voucher worth £250 to be invested in a savings account. Visit www.childtrustfund.gov.uk for details.
It's a good idea to invest for your children's' education as early as possible - whether that means private school fees or supporting them when they go into higher education. Long term investments, such as bonds with a ten year term, are a good choice for this purpose.
Children are taxed in the same way as adults, and have their own personal tax allowances. If you give money or assets to your own child and it produces an income of £100 or over, the income is counted as yours and taxed at your top rate. You can avoid this rule by choosing investments with tax free returns or capital gains, rather than income.
If people other than parents give gifts then the income counts as the child's own, and in this case it's a good idea to ask grandparents or relatives to send a letter or card with any money gifts. That way you have proof of whom the money came from in case the tax office demands it. For a detailed explanation of children's tax issues, look up the Inland Revenue's website at www.hmrc.gov.uk
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Children's Accounts
Most high street banks offer children's accounts, usually a straightforward bank account with a moderate interest rate. These often come with incentives like free piggy banks that are intended to help children develop a sense of responsibility and prudence about money from an early age. You may like to give your child a financial education by opening them their 'own' account - though there's nothing to stop you using a normal adult account with better rates of interest.
National Savings
The Children's Bonus Bonds are a tax-free savings account specifically aimed at children. You can invest between £25 and £3000 a year for five years and get guaranteed interest, plus a bonus. Many people choose to give Premium Bonds as gifts for children's birthdays. If they win, it could give them the best present ever!
Child Trust Bonds
The government have introduced a special scheme to give children a savings account from the very beginning. Any child born after 1st September 2002 is entitled to a voucher worth £250 to be invested in a savings account. Visit www.childtrustfund.gov.uk for details.
It's a good idea to invest for your children's' education as early as possible - whether that means private school fees or supporting them when they go into higher education. Long term investments, such as bonds with a ten year term, are a good choice for this purpose.
Children are taxed in the same way as adults, and have their own personal tax allowances. If you give money or assets to your own child and it produces an income of £100 or over, the income is counted as yours and taxed at your top rate. You can avoid this rule by choosing investments with tax free returns or capital gains, rather than income.
If people other than parents give gifts then the income counts as the child's own, and in this case it's a good idea to ask grandparents or relatives to send a letter or card with any money gifts. That way you have proof of whom the money came from in case the tax office demands it. For a detailed explanation of children's tax issues, look up the Inland Revenue's website at www.hmrc.gov.uk
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Internet Banking - Which Web Bank is Right For You
Finding information online seems like the proverbial search for the needle in the haystack - with so many sites and adverts vying for attention just thinking about searching for an internet bank is enough to bring on a headache. However, it might well be worth the effort - out of the five best-paying current accounts today, four are provided by internet banks. With a difference of two or three percent, the benefits could be substantial.
Enter 'online banking' into your search browser, and you'll pull up several independent sites comparing different banks and accounts. While the special offers can change day to day, there are a few banks that have been performing consistently well - the big three being Cahoot, Egg and Smile. Cahoot is the online arm of Abbey National, and the Co-operative Group runs Smile, but both currently offer better deals than their high street counterparts. Intelligent Finance is also a contender. Shop around to find what suits you best - whether it's a low rate loan or a high performance current account, the right choice will depend on your individual needs and situation.
Take into account things like customer service as well as the terms offered - it's important that you can contact your bank easily when you need to, and that dealings with them are not an unpleasant ordeal. Even if you conduct most of your business online, there are still likely to be occasions when you need to speak to a human being, and friendly, well-informed staff can make a vast difference to your banking experience. First Direct is now planning to introduce a 'virtual' bank clerk to make online banking more customer friendly.
Ease of use is another factor - a bank with a website that is easy to navigate will help you plan your finances with the least amount of hassle. Online banking has now come a long way from the days you could only view your account online - you can now pay bills, set up direct debits and transfer money between accounts at the click of your mouse. Egg have recently introduced a service called 'Egg Pay' that lets you securely send money to friends and family via email, and in future we can expect 'account aggregation' - an overview of all your financial dealings on one web site that will help make your transactions more efficient.
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'Moneywise' and 'Which' magazines are good sources of information to compare banks with - check out their websites
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Enter 'online banking' into your search browser, and you'll pull up several independent sites comparing different banks and accounts. While the special offers can change day to day, there are a few banks that have been performing consistently well - the big three being Cahoot, Egg and Smile. Cahoot is the online arm of Abbey National, and the Co-operative Group runs Smile, but both currently offer better deals than their high street counterparts. Intelligent Finance is also a contender. Shop around to find what suits you best - whether it's a low rate loan or a high performance current account, the right choice will depend on your individual needs and situation.
Take into account things like customer service as well as the terms offered - it's important that you can contact your bank easily when you need to, and that dealings with them are not an unpleasant ordeal. Even if you conduct most of your business online, there are still likely to be occasions when you need to speak to a human being, and friendly, well-informed staff can make a vast difference to your banking experience. First Direct is now planning to introduce a 'virtual' bank clerk to make online banking more customer friendly.
Ease of use is another factor - a bank with a website that is easy to navigate will help you plan your finances with the least amount of hassle. Online banking has now come a long way from the days you could only view your account online - you can now pay bills, set up direct debits and transfer money between accounts at the click of your mouse. Egg have recently introduced a service called 'Egg Pay' that lets you securely send money to friends and family via email, and in future we can expect 'account aggregation' - an overview of all your financial dealings on one web site that will help make your transactions more efficient.
.
'Moneywise' and 'Which' magazines are good sources of information to compare banks with - check out their websites
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Business Banking - An Overview
Making a success of your business depends on planning and judgement. 'The bottom line' is all about managing your finances wisely, whether that means sourcing the funding you need to start up or keeping on top of your accounts. Everyone is in business to make money and most realise that to make money the foundations of your business need to be right.
Setting up or running a business calls for a separate account. Not only will this make your accounting a lot simpler, but also business accounts are tailored specifically to the needs of business clients. Many have a specialised team to deal with business accounts, and can offer help in the form of start up packs and individual advisers. Business accounts differ from personal accounts in that you will normally be charged for transactions - for making deposits and withdrawing funds, for example.
This guide gives you a broad overview of how to open and manage your business account, including:
1. Getting The Right Account For Your Business
How to choose and open your account - what factors to consider and what information you will need.
2. Finding The Finance You Need
Common ways to source funding to set up and run your business, including grants, borrowing, loans and overdrafts.
3. Keeping Your Accounts Healthy
Good practise for managing your account, including info on online banking and finding an accountant.
4. Professional Advice
How to find expert advice on accounting and tax issues. This section includes web addresses for professional bodies.
Having a good relationship with your bank will make a big difference to the success of your business, whether that means extra support when you're setting up or negotiating an overdraft to smooth your cash flow. Bank business managers can provide a useful source of advice and support - it's likely they have a good knowledge of the market as well as insight into businesses similar to yours. Based on your individual needs, they should be able to suggest ways to make your business banking more efficient, as well as offer practical solutions to make the most of your account.
Other Business Banking Information Sources
As well as your banking contacts, there are a wealth of other sources of help and advice. The government runs several schemes to help businesses get off the ground and keep running - from enterprise loans to business mentors who can guide you through the early stages of your project. Starting a business is a real challenge, but with good planning and sound management, you could turn your dreams into reality!
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Setting up or running a business calls for a separate account. Not only will this make your accounting a lot simpler, but also business accounts are tailored specifically to the needs of business clients. Many have a specialised team to deal with business accounts, and can offer help in the form of start up packs and individual advisers. Business accounts differ from personal accounts in that you will normally be charged for transactions - for making deposits and withdrawing funds, for example.
This guide gives you a broad overview of how to open and manage your business account, including:
1. Getting The Right Account For Your Business
How to choose and open your account - what factors to consider and what information you will need.
2. Finding The Finance You Need
Common ways to source funding to set up and run your business, including grants, borrowing, loans and overdrafts.
3. Keeping Your Accounts Healthy
Good practise for managing your account, including info on online banking and finding an accountant.
4. Professional Advice
How to find expert advice on accounting and tax issues. This section includes web addresses for professional bodies.
Having a good relationship with your bank will make a big difference to the success of your business, whether that means extra support when you're setting up or negotiating an overdraft to smooth your cash flow. Bank business managers can provide a useful source of advice and support - it's likely they have a good knowledge of the market as well as insight into businesses similar to yours. Based on your individual needs, they should be able to suggest ways to make your business banking more efficient, as well as offer practical solutions to make the most of your account.
Other Business Banking Information Sources
As well as your banking contacts, there are a wealth of other sources of help and advice. The government runs several schemes to help businesses get off the ground and keep running - from enterprise loans to business mentors who can guide you through the early stages of your project. Starting a business is a real challenge, but with good planning and sound management, you could turn your dreams into reality!
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