Banking Services – Online bill pays off

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Online bill paying could be a clever way to save – especially if you can do it for free. While the cost of mailing bills may not seem like much, it adds up quickly. And if you’ve ever had bills buried under paperwork or get delayed in the mail, you know how expensive late fees can be.

But online bill paying allows you to pre-arrange payments each month – perhaps up to a year in advance for fixed-rate bills. What’s more, some bill-paying services even offer to send you reminders so deadlines won’t slip by.

Before you commit to a bill-paying service, ask questions like these to check whether the service is a good deal for you.

* Does the bank provide a way for you to authorize an amount and date for a bill’s payment?
* Can the bill be paid and delivered even if the company is not available online?
* What features are included in online bill paying?
* What is the cost of online bill paying, and are there any requirements you must meet to use the service?
* How does the bank protect the privacy and security of personal and financial information?
* How long does a payment take to reach the biller?

Learn more good questions to ask, and read sound advice on both online banking and bill paying from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Visit www.fdic.gov and click the Consumers link. Under Consumer Resources, click Safe Internet Banking.

You can also write or call the FDIC for information at the address below.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
550 17th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20429
877-275-3342



All the best,



Timben