Online bank accounts

Online bank accounts are increasingly popular as they allow account holders to manage their finances from home, from their laptop or even on the move by utilising mobile technology.

Online bank accounts allow you to make payments, set up direct debits, transfer funds from one account to another and order up-to-date statements.

As online banking increases in popularity the competition between account providers has become increasingly fierce providing consumers with a wider range of competitive products.

As the online banking sector has grown so have concerns about internet security and online fraud but online bank account providers have improved their security measures to protect customers.

	Santander u-turn on charging for business bank accounts Santander has said that business customers who were promised their accounts would be "free forever" will now not have to pay for their bank accounts.
	Consumers opt for trusted names to run bank accounts A new survey shows that just one in ten think high-street banks offer "best value" and most would choose established names like John Lewis or Asda to run their current accounts.
	The top five student bank accounts for 2012 With higher tuition fees managing your finances as a student has never been more important. look for the highest interest-free overdraft. Myfinances.co.uk selects the top five.
	RBS and Lloyds urged to rethink policy on basic bank accounts Consumer Focus is calling for banks to sign up to a set of minimum standards governing basic bank accounts as Andrew Tyrie says RBS and Lloyds actions could influence other banks to limit cash machine access.
	Online or branch accounts: Which are the best? In a world dominated by the internet some people prefer personal banking citing fraud as one reason, but online accounts have lots of benefits as Kate Saines explains.