How to bring technology sceptics around to the joys of digital banking

Know someone who distrusts online or mobile banking? Here are some benefits that might help them reconsider.

Digital banking has proved popular and has been on the rise over the past few years. An estimated 93% of people in the UK with a bank account use some form of online banking, according to Statista, up from 78% in 2019.

Even so, you might know someone who still insists on heading to their local branch every time they need to manage their money. There may come a time when digital banking suits their needs better, for example due to mobility, age or circumstance.

It could be worth mentioning that adapting to online banking gives them the option to handle their finances from wherever they are, given that around 5,470 branches of banks and building societies have closed since 2015. That’s an average of 54 closures a month, according to a Which? report.

But if you're still struggling to get them to consider online banking, we debunk some of the myths around digital banking and explain some of the benefits below.

Isn’t it easy to send money to the wrong account?

Worried about putting in the wrong account details? That's where confirmation of payee comes in. Lots of banks use it now, and it checks if the name of the payee matches the account details you've entered, so you can make sure you're sending money to the right person when you're paying someone new.

Is there a way to take the pain out of remembering passwords and PINs?

If you’re creating lots of different, secure passwords or PINs, it’s difficult to remember them all. However, you can save your passwords on trusted devices or specially designed password apps – and you can reset your password at any time.

Biometrics are also increasingly replacing passwords for mobile-based apps, so you can open your mobile phone and log in to your bank account with a selfie, fingerprint or facial recognition.

How easy is it to open an account digitally?

It’s now easier than ever to open a bank account through a banking app.

If you're joining a new bank, you’ll just need your full name, date of birth, mobile number, email and home addresses and then set up a password or passcode.

You’ll also need to take a picture of your photo ID (like a passport or driving licence). Some banks will ask for a selfie or video to check if it’s really you.

Is online banking more susceptible to fraud?

If you don’t give out your password or passcode, it's very difficult for fraudsters to access your account. Noone should ever share their passwords or one-time passcodes with anyone. And your bank will never ask for this information.

In fact, fraud is more likely to be noticed through digital banking. You can easily see all recent transactions, making it easy to spot any unexpected activity or debit card misuse. If you only get paper statements, it could take weeks to notice unusual activity.

How often can you check your account balance online?

You can easily check your account balance and transactions by logging in to your smartphone app or online bank account through your laptop, phone or tablet. You can check it day or night.

How can payment and pending notifications help you manage money?

Some banks, including Chase, will send you a notification as soon as a payment hits your account. You can choose to get notifications if you like or opt out if you don't. You can also see pending transactions online so you can make sure you have enough money in your account to cover them, as well as keep track of things like refunds. Lots of banks also offer insights in the apps, so you can understand your spending habits better.

What's in-app card control?

In-app card control can help you take control of your spending. At Chase, for example, we let you decide how and where your card can be used. You can disable the cash withdrawal, contactless payment or gambling payment functions. You can do other handy things like freeze your card, check your PIN and approve online purchases, too.

Benefits of round-the-clock support

If you have any questions about digital banking, it’s easy to get in touch through banking apps. At Chase, you can get through to us 24/7 with just a few taps in our app.

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The Hub is intended as a knowledge portal to provide information on a range of topics, including financial products and lifestyle management. These articles are not financial advice. Articles may reference products and services which Chase UK does not currently offer.