Long gone are the days in which you need to visit a branch to do your banking. Today, banks offer an array of services that allow consumers to make deposits, transfers and payments whenever and wherever they want.
However, some retirees have been slow to adopt this new way of banking. Paul Appleton, executive vice president of products and payments for Bank of the West, says his institution has found retirees are less likely than non-retirees to use online banking and billing. They are also significantly less likely to sign up for mobile banking or make mobile bank deposits. “[It’s] basic access to information that they aren’t taking advantage of,” Appleton says.
Missing out on the following seven banking services could be costing retirees both time and money.
Direct deposit. Thanks to a 2010 Treasury Department rule, most retirees already get their Social Security benefits directly deposited into their bank account. However, seniors may be missing other opportunities to make use of this convenient banking feature. For example, opting for direct deposit for tax refunds means getting the money more quickly. Direct deposit is also a handy feature for snowbirds who may be living part of the year away from the branches of their primary bank.
[See: 10 Tips to Boost Your IRA Balance.]
Overdraft protection. Retirees living on a tight budget may find overdraft protection valuable. Even those who are diligent in tracking their money can get tripped up by bank policies about how transactions are processed. “It can get pretty confusing with the way different banks process the credits and debits,” says Jeremy Shipp, managing partner with O’Dell, Winkfield, Roseman and Shipp in Richmond, Virginia. Some institutions may process pending charges before crediting a deposit. That can lead to overdraft fees and those charges can add up quickly.
Online and mobile banking. Relying on statements to reconcile accounts means a math mistake or overlooked transaction could potentially wreak havoc for a month before being discovered. Online banking and mobile banking shows seniors the real-time status of their accounts, which can help pinpoint potential problems immediately. These services also allow people to transfer funds without incurring any service fees. What’s more, people can use them to do their banking on weekends and holidays.
Online bill pay. Many retirees still write checks to pay their monthly bills. Others insist on making payments in person. Appleton relates the story of one senior customer he met in Denver. “She brings a Bank of the West check to a Bank of the West branch and pays her Bank of the West credit card,” Appleton says. “She knows when she hands over that check, it’s been paid.”
Handing over a check may feel reassuring, but it’s a costly way to pay. Seniors can save money on gas, checks and stamps by using their bank or credit union’s online bill-pay service instead. Doing so also eliminates the potential for lost checks in the mail or being unable to make it to a payment center before a late fee is charged.
[See: 10 Retirement Benefits You Need to Have.]
Mobile deposits. Even after the advent of online banking and payment services, customers still needed to visit branches or an ATM to deposit checks. With the introduction of mobile deposits, that has changed. Banking apps allow customers to snap a picture of their check and make deposits remotely. “People who have never done it are fearful of it at some level,” says Michael Diamond, general manager of payments for Mitek, a San Diego company that provides the technology that makes these deposits possible. That may be why some retirees haven’t warmed to the practice. However, Diamond says the process is secure. “The image never ends up on your camera roll,” he says. “There is no record of [the check] on your phone.”
For seniors, mobile deposits save time and provide faster access to money. As for money savings, users can avoid bank fees associated with teller or ATM transactions and eliminate travel costs to make a deposit.
Text or email alerts. Banking alerts are another underutilized service by retirees. These services will trigger an email or text alert for various reasons. You may be able to get notices every time a deposit posts or when an account balance drops below a certain amount. “You can say when you want to be notified,” Diamond says. It’s one more way to stay on top of account balances, avoid overdraft fees and identify fraudulent charges immediately.
Bank trustee. Not every retiree will set up a trust, but those who do shouldn’t overlook their bank’s trust department. A bank trustee can ensure the money is being invested properly and managed correctly. “Obviously, [banks] aren’t going to do that for free,” Shipp says. “But it can be well worth it.” Most notably, it avoids mismanagement of funds by a family member.
[See: 10 Costs to Include in Your Retirement Budget.]
While retirees may be using digital banking services at lower rates than younger consumers, industry experts say it’s only a matter of time before seniors catch up. Bank of the West has deployed digital ambassadors to its branches to help customers of all ages make the most of available services. Meanwhile, Diamond says feedback from senior customers using mobile deposits is very enthusiastic. Plus, he says, “You get some style points with your kids.”
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7 Banking Services That Can Save Retirees Money originally appeared on usnews.com
