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Online banking is a service that lets you manage a bank account through a secure website, usually on a desktop or laptop browser. It's the right option when you want to check balances, move money, or pay bills without visiting a branch, and when your financial institution offers web-based access tied to an eligible account. Mobile banking is a related but separate channel — it runs through a phone or tablet app, while online banking runs in a browser. Many institutions, including Radius Credit Union, offer both, and the features often overlap.

What you can do with online banking

Once you're enrolled, most online banking platforms support a core set of tasks:

• Check balances and transaction history — see current and available balances, and review posted and pending transactions.
• Transfer funds — move money between your own accounts, and often to accounts you hold at the same institution.
• Pay bills — set up payees and schedule one-time or recurring payments.
• Deposit checks — many platforms let you submit a photo or scan of a check.
• Download statements — retrieve and save monthly or periodic statements as PDFs.
• Manage cards and settings — some platforms let you report a lost card, set alerts, or update contact details.

What's actually available depends on your institution and account type. A basic savings account may only support balance checks and transfers, while a full checking account usually unlocks bill pay and check deposit.

Online banking vs. mobile banking vs. branch banking

You don't have to pick one. Most people use online banking for planning and detailed tasks, mobile banking for quick actions, and a branch when something needs a signature or a conversation.

How to enroll and set up access

The exact steps vary by institution, but the general flow looks like this:

1. Confirm eligibility. You typically need an existing account in good standing. Some institutions restrict certain account types from online access.
2. Find the enrollment page. Look for a "Sign up," "Enroll," or "Register" link on your institution's official website. Type the address yourself rather than clicking a link in an email.
3. Verify your identity. You'll usually enter your account number, Social Security number or member number, date of birth, and sometimes a one-time code sent to your phone or email.
4. Create credentials. Choose a username and a strong, unique password. Don't reuse a password from another site.
5. Set up two-factor authentication (2FA). If offered, enable it. This sends a code to your phone or uses an authenticator app when you log in from a new device.
6. Log in and confirm your accounts. Check that all your accounts appear and that balances look right.
7. Set preferences. Turn on alerts for large transactions or low balances, and add payees if you plan to use bill pay.

Expected result: you can log in, see your accounts, and complete at least a balance check and a transfer. If any step fails — for example, identity verification rejects your information — contact your institution directly rather than retrying repeatedly.

Security practices that matter

• Use a strong, unique password. A password manager makes this practical.
• Turn on two-factor authentication. It's the single biggest protection against someone using a stolen password.
• Recognize phishing. Banks rarely ask for your full password, PIN, or one-time code by email or text. When in doubt, log in through the official site or app instead of clicking a link.
• Check the URL. Confirm you're on the institution's real domain before entering credentials.
• Monitor regularly. Review transactions weekly so unauthorized activity gets caught early.
• Log out on shared devices. Don't let a browser save your session on a public or shared computer.

Requirements and limitations to expect

• Account eligibility. Online access is generally tied to holding an account; some account types may have limited features.
• Transaction cut-off times. Transfers and bill payments made after a daily cut-off may not process until the next business day. Bill payments to external payees can take several days to post.
• Deposit holds. Mobile or online check deposits may not be immediately available; funds can be held for a period before you can spend them.
• Maintenance windows. Platforms occasionally go offline for updates, usually during off-peak hours.
• Identity verification. If you can't verify your identity online, you may need to visit a branch or call to finish enrollment.

If a feature you need isn't available online — like opening a specific account or resolving a dispute — a branch visit or phone call is still the reliable path.