When you're deciding whether to sign up for Web banking, make sure your bank offers all the services you need. The best bank websites go beyond bill paying and balance updates to let you check your credit-card accounts, link banking and brokerage accounts, make trades and get free stock quotes. Some update the account information in real time, not overnight. Thanks to growing competition, prices are falling. Unfortunately, sorting out the best fees is tough.
Banks routinely offer up to six ways to do business online, at times with different prices for each.
For example, Chase offers free bill paying when you use the bank's own software but charges if you bank with Quicken or Microsoft Money. If you simply want to turn your computer into a checkbook, your best option may be the bank's own website. But to integrate your bill payment info with your software, bank directly with Quicken or Microsoft Money. When you write a check, the program automatically adds the amount to your preset categories. Now a word about Quicken 2000 vs. Microsoft Money 2000.