Hi there! -- I've been looking around online for something along the lines of a "virtual bank account" in which it's simply a checking account that is strictly based online. A friend told me about something similar to this not to long ago, and just can't seem to find anything more about it! I'm actually beginning to think that she was referring too an online banking program for any bank :rolleyes:.

If there is no such thing as a "virtual" bank account, what are your opinions and recommendations on Internet banking? Cheers!

Most banks have an online banking feature. I have not really heard of a virtual bank.. Bank of America and Chase both have online banking (I am sure that there are a lot more banks with online banking, but those were the first two that I thought of)

You can sign up for a checking account online at www.wamu.com (Washington Mutual). They do have physical locations in some cities, however, you do not have to visit one.

For the 1.00 minimum deposit required to open an account, they will send you out a debit card, and a free box of checks.

Hope that helps.

You can sign up for a checking account online at www.wamu.com (Washington Mutual). They do have physical locations in some cities, however, you do not have to visit one.

For the 1.00 minimum deposit required to open an account, they will send you out a debit card, and a free box of checks.

Hope that helps.

I use WAMU as my primary bank (as I live in Washington, there are locations on every corner) and they're pretty good.

Emigrantdirect seems like it'd fit your needs a bit better though, because its strictly online.

A truly "virtual bank", with no physical location, would not be legal in the US or Canada. :)

Any US or Canadian "online bank" that exists will simply be the virtual "branch" of the physical bank.

(PayPal is not considered a bank.)

There does exist, however, many non-US/Canadian alternatives which are truly virtual. I would be VERY hesitant to place any money with them, unless you are prepared to lose it.

why would you want a virtual bank.... I personally would like onlinebanking and a branch that exist close by. so in the event they screw up I can go and yell at them (they can hangup on the phone ;) )

Are you looking for something like NetBank.com ?

Steven.C beat me to it, Netbank.com is what you're looking for. Seems like a pretty cool idea actually, it has me intrigued.

I too think that netbank.com is probably what you are looking for but have pretty mixed experiences whith them myself.

Keep in mind that if you go with a local bank, you can always (during normal business hours at least) just go to the bank and talk to someone if you have a problem with something.

Also, if you are using netbank or some other remote bank anything that can not be done online or over the phone must be done by snail mail. This caused me quite a problem once when a paypal dispute caused funds to be pulled from my netbank account the day before a check hit for a larger amount.

netbanking.com, thebancorp.com, is this what you are looking for