What are Virtual Bank Accounts?

The development of technology and the commercialization of the internet led to traditional brick-and-mortar banks providing online banking services to their customers.

However, many further advancements have been made, from traditional banks providing online services to completely virtual online banks with no physical premises. 

If you are wondering what a virtual bank account is, how it works, and how it differs from a traditional bank account, you’re in the right place.

What’s a Virtual Bank Account?

Virtual bank accounts, also known as online bank accounts, are a type of bank account that can be operated fully through a mobile or desktop interface. They function similarly to traditional bank accounts but with additional benefits such as speed, security, and multi-currency capabilities.

Just a reminder—online bank accounts and online banking are two different things.

Who provides virtual bank accounts?

A virtual bank is one that offers banking services completely electronically and has no physical branches.

Everything from opening a bank account, taking out loans, making deposits, and carrying out other banking transactions is done completely through a mobile app or a website.

You can access absolutely any financial and banking service as you would with a traditional bank, except online.

There is absolutely no need for a physical walk-in!

Note: Virtual banks are regulated by the financial regulatory bodies of the countries in which they operate. For instance, in Hong Kong, they are regulated by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority HKMA while in the United Kingdom, they are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

How is a Virtual Bank different from a Traditional Bank?

The main difference between traditional banking and virtual banking is that traditional banks require a physical location to operate, while virtual banks operate exclusively online. In addition, traditional bank accounts usually require a minimum balance and carry higher service fees than virtual bank accounts.

Many traditional banks now offer virtual services via their mobile apps or internet banking. However, these virtual services differ from those that are associated with virtual banks.

What are some examples of Virtual bank accounts?

There are numerous virtual banking solutions available today. Here we will list a few of them, grouped by their respective regions.

Hong Kong

Virtual banks in Hong Kong are key financial institutions to promote innovation and bring Hong Kong to 360 degrees online banking experience.

In the last years many virtual banks decided to settle in Hong Kong, and these new 8 virtual banks in Hong Kong are definitely worth notice: ZA bank, Ant Bank, Airstar Bank, Livi Bank, Mox Bank, WeLab Bank, etc.

Singapore

Singapore is another major hub for doing business in Asia and has granted 4 digital banking licenses in 2020: Singtel & Grab, Sea Limited, Ant Financial and Greenland Financial Holdings

We explore more thoroughly the 4 New Digital Banks in Singapore here.

Europe

Besides these, the options for virtual banking have grown rapidly in Europe. Some of the popular digital banks amongst users include:

Revolut

Revolut is currently one of the top virtual banks that is extremely popular, especially for those who love traveling.

Through Revolut, you can easily make international money transfers with no hidden fees.

Additionally, you can hold money in up to 30 different currencies within the app.

Despite only starting in 2015, Revolut has now over 12 million customers worldwide.

Revolut aims to be the world's first truly global financial super app, currently offering innovative products that generate 100 million transactions a month.

Some of Revolut's services include transferring money abroad in 29 currencies, pre-paid debit cards that enable cash machine withdrawals in 120 countries, vaults for budgeting money, and a cryptocurrency exchange allowing users to convert currencies into Bitcoin, Litecoin, Etherium, Bitcoin Cash, or XRP.

If you want to open a Revolut account, check this article.

Monzo

Monzo is an extremely popular challenger app-based bank that has amassed nearly 4.5 million users.

With Monzo, you can open both personal and business accounts, save and borrow all through one app.

Additionally, you can sync up your other bank accounts into one place and get instant notifications regarding your spending habits.

Some of Monzo's services include spending budgets, saving pots, bills pots, instant spending notifications, free cash withdrawals abroad, energy switching, shared tabs, loans, and no transaction fees when spending abroad!

Starling Bank

Starling Bank is an award-winning digital bank that received its banking license in 2016 and introduced the UK's first mobile-only current account in 2017.

With Starling Bank, you can open a range of bank accounts, including a business, joint, teen, child, euro, and dollar accounts.

Additionally, Starling Bank also provides B2B banking and payment services.

Some of Starling Bank's features include easily setting up saving goals, instant spending notifications, categorized spending, paperless bank statements, free cash withdrawals abroad, no foreign transaction fee when spending abroad, and international money transfers with a fee as little as 0.4%!

What makes virtual banks so popular?

According to financial technology heavyweight FIS, customers show an 88% satisfaction level when it comes to digital-only banking (2018).

To understand why virtual banks are so popular, let's take a look at some of their advantages.

1. Guaranteed Security

Virtual accounts run purely online and therefore utilize a highly secure platform that enables the encryption of devices to guarantee that all customer data is secured.

Additionally, virtual accounts have multi-factor authentication and biometric login features to your mobile apps and online bank accounts for added security.

If you want to know more of safe is a virtual bank account, check this article.

2. Convenience

Virtual banks allow you to access banking services wherever you are around the world.

All your account information and access to services are available from anywhere, location, and time zone independent.

Using a virtual bank account can also save time, avoiding time-consuming tasks like going to a physical location to make payments or even asking for support.

3. Better spending insights

Due to the customizable nature of virtual banking, you can benefit from features such as round-up savings and saving pots.

Additionally, since virtual banks incorporate artificial intelligence and machine learning, they're able to provide you with spending insights that help you budget and set financial goals.

4. Higher Interest Savings

Operating a virtual bank has many advantages and generally is much cheaper than the costs a regular bank would have to incur.

Therefore, the savings received come in the form of higher interest on savings which means that with virtual banks, your money works harder for you.

5. Online customer support 

With no physical branches, most virtual banks offer online and 24/7 customer service, which saves you a lot of time and effort compared to traditional banks where you would have to wait in long queues.

Additionally, virtual banks usually employ better technology, which simplifies many of your banking operations. This in turn reduces the need to reach out to customer support.

6. More environmentally friendly 

There are no paper statements, no driving to the bank, and no additional space needed for staffing or housing of operations with virtual banks. Additionally, virtual banks allow you to become completely cashless, which adds to the convenience aspect. 

However, there are a few concerns...

Technical difficulties

Technical difficulties are extremely common, and as a result, websites and mobile applications can go down for some time due to glitches or planned maintenance.

If you need to make an important transaction and the website or app is down, you won't be able to access your bank or make any transactions because there is no physical branch. 

Moreover, if you lose your phone or no longer have access to the internet, you won't have access to your account or make transactions, which can be inconvenient. 

Lack of human interaction

Some argue that the lack of human interaction in virtual banking makes making inquiries complicated as opposed to traditional banking, where you do not have to rely on internet connectivity and can get your problem solved face-to-face.

This is why at Statrys we made our mission to bring the human touch into payments. We believe that having real people involved with every transaction will be key for businesses—especially when dealing in different cultures and making payments all across the globe.

Final words

Virtual banks are making the most of modern technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence to provide the most innovative services to their customers.

Moreover, according to EY's Global Banking Outlook 2018, customers have shown greater loyalty to virtual banks due to the transparency and convenience of personalized banking services.

Lastly, when considering a virtual bank to use, there are several factors to consider.

These include your own personal comfort level and compatibility with technology.

Additionally, virtual banking might not be for you if you prefer your banking services to have a human element or prefer to make transactions in person. 

But why not have the best of both worlds?

Open an account with Statrys today and you'll get the equivalent of a virtual bank account, with the added human interaction with our dedicated support squads.