Online banking is supposed to make banking easier: instead of filling out handwritten transfer forms and handing them in at a bank branch, you can make transfers and other transactions at home on your computer.

This includes:

• Checking account balances and receipts and payments
• Viewing credit card transactions
• Transferring money at home and abroad
• Setting up scheduled transfers
• Setting up and cancelling standing orders

In addition to managing your current account, you can also use online banking to access securities accounts to buy and sell shares, depending on your bank. Savings accounts, building society accounts, money market accounts and fixed-term deposit accounts can also be managed online.

The barriers to getting started with online banking are comparatively low. To bank online, you need a standard computer or another Internet-capable device, such as a smartphone. With relatively low computer power required, it is also possible to use older models. The operating system does not matter either: online banking is possible using Windows, MacOS and Linux.

The device just needs an Internet connection. Because the data volume for online banking is low, it also works with slow Internet connections via a modem or UMTS. A fast broadband connection - for example via DSL - only increases the speed at which the pages appear.

The only software required to use the banks' online services is an Internet browser. Basic knowledge of how to use the Internet software is sufficient to be able to conduct banking transactions. When selecting a browser, the following applies: you can visit online banking websites with all common programs such as Microsoft Internet Explorer, Apple Safari, Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome. For security reasons, however, the browser as well as the operating system and all installed software products should always be kept up to date - preferably through automatic updates.

Online banking with mobile devices

If you want to bank online with a mobile device (such as a smartphone or tablet), you can also use a browser - it is basically the same as online banking with a stationary PC. However, online banking is more convenient if you install the appropriate app on your smartphone. Many banks now offer online banking apps for their customers free of charge.

Banking software

Instead of using online banking with the browser, you can also use additional online banking software on the PC. While browsers can be downloaded in the Internet for free, online banking software is generally not free. In return, however, these programs usually offer additional functions for managing multiple accounts and securities accounts as well as online access to the accounts, making it easier to keep track of your finances. Furthermore, banking software allows you can carry out transactions using its particularly secure signature procedures.