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Britannica Money
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Table of Contents

electronic banking

finance
Also known as: online banking
Written byDoug Ashburn
Doug Ashburn
Doug is a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst who spent more than 20 years as a derivatives market maker and asset manager before “reincarnating” as a financial media professional a decade ago.
Fact-checked byThe Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
Table of Contents

Electronic banking is the use of computers, phones, and other technologies to facilitate banking transactions rather than through human interaction. Electronic banking includes features like electronic funds transfer (EFT) and mobile payments for retail purchases, automatic teller machines (ATMs), automatic paycheck deposits, and automated bill payment.

In the 21st century, banks have set up secure, encrypted access to their websites—and later to mobile apps—enabling clients to access their accounts, view account balances, transfer money among accounts, purchase certificates of deposit (CDs), and—if connected a brokerage account—buy and sell stocks, bonds, and other securities.

Electronic banking has greatly reduced the need to move paper money and coins from one place to another, and humans are no longer required to facilitate every banking transaction.

Doug Ashburn