More and more people are moving away from traditional banking due to its inconvenience, high costs, and inflexibility. Instead, they turn to global online financial services, creating rapid growth in this industry. There are various services available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. This article will look at some of the most popular services and what they have to offer.
Advantages of Online Financial Services
There are several reasons why people are moving away from traditional banking. The first reason is that going to banks is inconvenient. In contrast, online financial services are convenient. Services like online payments and money transfers allow you to conduct transactions from anywhere in the world without going to a physical bank.
Traditional banking services can be expensive, while many online financial services are cheaper. For example, online money transfers often have lower fees than bank wire transfers. Many of the estimated 1.77 million Filipino overseas workers (OFW) prefer to send funds to their loved ones back home by online money transfer to the Philippines. Every cent counts in their hard-earned money, and every cent is much-needed by their families, so the cost difference means a lot.
Finally, you have to go through a middleman and follow office hours with banks. Many people prefer the flexibility that online financial services offer. Services like online banks allow you to manage your finances on your own schedule. For instance, you can set up automatic payments and transfers, schedule bills to be paid on specific days, and track your spending with ease.
These are just some advantages online financial services have over traditional banking. Suppose you’re looking for a more convenient, flexible, and affordable way to manage your finances. In that case, global online financial services may be right for you.
Available Global Online Financial Services
Now that we’ve looked at some advantages of using global online financial services let’s look at three of the most popular services available.
Online Payments
When people do not want to go through a bank to send and receive money from anywhere in the world, they can use online payments. These have some disadvantages, such as the potential for fraud and, sometimes, high fees. They may also not be available in all countries. There are several advantages, too, such as 24/7 availability, speed, convenience, and flexibility. There is also a reasonable level of security.
Some of the most popular online payment platforms include PayPal, Venmo, and Square. PayPal charges fees for certain transactions, which can add up over time. However, it also offers a great deal of flexibility in usage.
Venmo has limits on how much money you can send per transaction. However, it allows you to send and receive money for free. Square has been known to be less reliable than the other options on this list. However, it is a newer online payment platform that offers a variety of features, including the ability to accept credit card payments.
It is essential to be aware of the potential risks and costs involved whenever you use a particular service. For many people, the advantages of online payments outweigh the disadvantages. Choose the right platform for your needs.
Online Money Transfers
Another option for people who do not want to go through banks is online money transfer. It is a popular way to send money to anyone with just a few clicks. The most popular platforms for online money transfer are Wise, WorldRemit, and Xoom. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, the best option for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
In TransferWise, it can take a few days for the money to arrive, which can be a disadvantage if you need the money right away. However, it is known for its low fees, which is a significant advantage.
WorldRemit can be more expensive than other options. However, it is known for its speed, with most transfers taking only a few minutes.
Xoom isn’t available in all countries, which can be a significant disadvantage. However, it offers reasonable fees and decent speeds somewhere in between.
Online Banks
The main alternative to traditional banks are online banks. This type of global online financial service allows you to manage your finances on your own schedule and often has lower fees than traditional banks. Some of the most popular online banks are Simple, Chime, and N26.
Simple doesn’t offer any interest on savings accounts, so your money won’t grow over time. It doesn’t have a physical branch if you need in-person assistance. It has a limited number of ATMs, so you might have to pay a fee to withdraw cash. However, Simple has no monthly maintenance fees or minimum balances. It also has various features that can help you manage your money, such as budgeting tools.
Chime doesn’t have a physical presence, so you can’t deposit cash or speak to a teller in person. It doesn’t offer many high-interest savings options, so you might miss out on some potential earnings. It also doesn’t have check-writing capabilities. However, Chime offers mobile and online banking with no hidden fees nor minimum balance requirements. It offers fee-free ATM withdrawals at over 38,000 locations around the US. It also has a mobile app that makes it easy to track your spending.
Finally, N26 doesn’t have a lot of physical branches, so you might have to rely on customer service for help with your account. Also, it’s only available in Europe and the US at this time. However, it offers free ATM withdrawals in all countries where it is present. It does not charge foreign transaction fees. It also provides various features that make it easy to manage your money while traveling.
Use Global Financial Services That Meet Your Needs
If you find traditional banks disadvantageous, there are a variety of global online financial services to choose from. One of these platforms may be the best option for you. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it is essential to do your research before deciding on one. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.