Home banking

Is the credit transfer urgent but the bank is closed? No problem: there's a simple and safe way to use your current account services whenever and wherever you need them. It's called home banking.

What it is and what it's for

Home banking, also known as internet banking, is a service offered by banks that allows you to manage your account online via the bank's website or mobile app, using a computer, smartphone or tablet. Specifically, you can:

• carry out transactions. You can, for example, make credit transfers and mobile phones top ups, pay bills, buy or sell financial instruments such as shares and bonds, or buy products and services from your bank;
• consult information and documents. You can check your account balance, view payments made and received, monitor the status of any loans granted by the bank, and track the performance of your investments. You can also read messages from your bank, if you've opted to receive them online rather than by post.

Home banking offers two advantages. The first is flexibility: you can access your account at any time, even outside of opening hours, without having to visit a branch. The second is cost savings: online transactions are generally cheaper than those carried out at the counter.

Security

Home banking is convenient - but is it secure? Yes, thanks to technological safeguards and your own careful behaviour.

To access your online account and carry out transactions, you must first authenticate yourself – in other words, prove that it's really you. This involves providing two forms of identification, chosen from something you know, such as a password; something you have, such as a mobile phone; something that characterizes you, such as your fingerprint. This security measure is called two factor authentication or Strong Customer Authentication (SCA). Banks use this and other advanced security systems to protect your personal data and your money.

However, even the most robust technology is useless if you allow fraudsters to bypass it. To avoid this, simply follow a few basic precautions:

• never share your online banking credentials – including your username, password or any authorization codes (PINs) used to confirm transactions. Keep in mind that your bank will never ask you for this information;
• do not click on suspicious links or scan QR codes from emails or messages you weren't expecting;
• regularly check your account activity and notify your bank immediately if you spot any transactions you don't recognize.