Online Money Transfer

The advancement of technology has enabled various financial institutions to provide a high standard of service in all aspect of banking and financial services. While modern technology is helping banks and other businesses to streamline their services, customers are no longer required to visit banks and their branches to carry out a wide range of banking services.

Money Transfer Online

With banks constantly upgrading their services on the online platforms, customers can use either internet banking or mobile banking to fulfil their banking requirements.

Though there are many factors concerning the safety of online banking platforms, a significant rise in the usage of online transactions has proven it be useful and convenient. Customers now have access to multiple online fund transfer options ranging from National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT), Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS), Immediate Payment Service (IMPS), digital wallets, to UPI-based options, etc. After demonetization of high-value currency in India, the online money transfer options have provided flexibility and convenience across the nation.

Most banks the internet multiple options when it comes to transferring money online. Though the money transfer options have with their own advantages and disadvantages, it allows individuals to have the flexibility to choose one over the other based on their requirements.

How to Transfer Money Online - Step by Step Process

Transferring money online is easy and fast. Follow these simple steps:

  • Log in to your bank’s online portal or mobile app. Use your username and password or biometrics to access your account.
  • Select the money transfer option. Choose NEFT, RTGS, IMPS, UPI, or digital wallet transfer based on your preference.
  • Add beneficiary details. Enter the recipient’s name, bank account number, and IFSC code (if required).
  • Enter the amount to transfer. Double-check the amount before proceeding.
  • Review the details. Confirm the beneficiary name and account details to avoid mistakes.
  • Authorize the transaction. Enter the OTP (One-Time Password) sent to your registered mobile number or use other authentication methods.
  • Complete the transfer. Once authorized, the money will be sent. You will receive a confirmation message or receipt.
  • Track your transfer (optional). You can check the transaction status in your bank’s portal or app.

Advantages of Online Money Transfer

The following are the significant advantages of online money transfer: 

  1. Unlike traditional banks that take two to three working days for transfers, online money transfer method provides instant cash availability. 
  2. Support both international and domestic transactions through online money transfer offered by banks and financial institutions 
  3. International transfers usually incur charges while domestic transfers are generally free 
  4. One of the quickest ways to money transfer mode that completes domestic transfers within a day and international transfers within one to two days. 
  5. One of the straightforward and user-friendly methods compared to other fund transfer methods. 

Charges and Fees for Online Money Transfers

When you transfer money online, some banks or services may charge a fee. These charges depend on the method you use and the amount you send.

Common charges include:

  1. NEFT: Usually free or very low fees for small amounts. Some banks may charge for large transfers.
  2. RTGS: Mostly used for high-value transfers. Banks may charge a fixed fee depending on the amount.
  3. IMPS: Often comes with a small fee, especially for mobile or instant transfers.
  4. UPI: Generally free, but some banks may apply nominal charges for frequent or high-value transfers.
  5. Digital Wallets: Usually free for basic transfers, but some wallets may charge for certain services or cash withdrawals.

Tips for Safe and Efficient Online Money Transfers

The following is the list of vital points that should be remembered for online transfer of fund: 

  1. To start online money transfers, download a mobile payment app such as Paytm and set up your account 
  2. To initiate the transaction, gather the beneficiary’s details, including their bank account number, bank branch, and IFSC code. 
  3. Some banks may charge an online transaction fee, which the sender must pay. 
  4. To prevent fraud, keep your online banking details, including passwords and account information, confidential.

Factors to Consider for Money Transfer Online

  1. Details of the beneficiary - In order to transfer money online, the beneficiary's details such as account number, branch, etc. play a vital role. As the individual initiative the online fund transfer, you will need to make sure that the details are accurate which will determine the effective fund settlement time. Additionally, it will be your responsibility to pay the required transaction fee for the online transfer.
  2. Risk factors - Irrespective of which bank account you hold, if you are one of the internet or mobile banking users, your bank must be sending out do's and don'ts of safe online banking practices. Though they might sound like basic guidelines, it is essential to follow them so you don't fall prey to any of the online banking scams.

Online Fund Transfer Options

Following are few of the popular online money transfer options in India

National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT)

Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS)

Immediate Payment Service (IMPS)

NEFT is known to be the most cost-effective and convenient online money transfer option for various reasons. Regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), NEFT is available on internet banking and mobile banking services provided by most banks in India. NEFT allows individuals to transfer even the smallest amount without being worried about the fee charged by the bank. NEFT transactions are processed in batches and the funds are settled based on the cut-off time specified by RBI.

When an individual needs to transfer Rs.2 lakh and above, they can consider RTGS for the real-time settlement factor. Under RTGS, the funds are settled in real-time without any delay. Unlike NEFT, RTGS doesn't follow the batch processing method, each transaction is processed on instruction by instruction basis, making it faster and efficient

As the name suggests, when an individual needs to transfer and settle fund immediately to another account, IMPS can turn out to be useful since it settles fund immediately. Compare to NEFT of RTGS, IMPS is comparatively a new concept in India. Most banks allow IMPS through their internet banking and mobile banking platform.

In order to carry out any of the online money transfer methods, the bank levies a transaction charge based on various factors such as the fund value, fund transfer method, etc. Though these are the popular methods of transferring money online in India, the following new methods are also being used for added flexibility and convenience -

  1. Digital Wallets - After the demonetization of high-value currency towards the end of 2016, many digital wallets have been introduced to the Indian market to facilitate digital transactions. Digital wallets are not only popular and useful for being an optional method for online transactions but also for the ease and convenience of transferring money to another user or bank account. Post demonetization, many banks have introduced their own digital wallets to cater to the increasing demand.
  2. Unified Payments Interface - The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) from the National Payments Corporation of India is a new concept of digital transaction that is introduced by the Government of India. Based on the mobile platform, UPI allows users to transfer money from one bank account to the other without the need of bank details. In order to send and receive funds, UPI uses a Virtual Payment Address (VPA) which is created during the registration process with bank account details as the pre-requisites. Once the registration is completed, any UPI user can use the VPA to transfer funds.

FAQs on Online Money Transfer

  • What are the different ways by which I can transfer money online?

    The different ways by which you can transfer money online are NEFT, UPI, or IMPS.

  • Can I transfer large amounts via RTGS?

    Yes, you can transfer large amounts via RTGS. 

  • Will money be transferred immediately via IMPS?

    Yes, money will be transferred immediately via IMPS. 

  • Is it possible to complete bank-to-bank money transfer online?

    Yes, you it is possible to complete bank-to-bank money transfer online. 

  • How long does an online money transfer take?

    The time taken to transfer money from one account to the other depends on the mode of transfer. If you are transferring money through IMPS, the transfer happens almost immediately. However, you cannot track your money if you sent it through IMPS. NEFT and RTGS, on the other hand, takes up to 24 hours to transfer the money from one bank account to the other. However, the advantage with NEFT and RTGS mode of online money transfer is that it is trackable.

  • Are digital wallets safe to transfer money online?

    After demonetization, the popularity and usage of digital wallets increased and was endorsed by the government as well. With BHIM, digital wallets such as Google Pay and Paytm have become among the most used digital wallets in the country. The transfer of money happens instantaneously and is completely safe since they are regulated by the government as well.

  • Are there risks to online money transfers?

    There can be risks to online money transfers. You must make sure that every detail is accurate while transferring money from one account to the other. The account number and IFSC code must be the right one or the money can go to another person and you might not get it back. Apart from this, the other risks involve the bank systems. However, you can still receive the money back if there is a technical glitch by the bank.

  • What are the various methods of online money transfer?

    Online money transfer methods include NEFT, RTGS, IMPS, UPI and digital wallet. Each of these methods facilitates an easy and fast money transfer facility that can be performed online. 

  • Is money transfer free of cost?

    Domestic money transfer is offered free of cost. Some banks may charge a nominal fee for such transfers depending on the specific method of fund transfer. 

  • What happens if I enter the wrong account details while transferring money online?

    The money would be refunded in case you enter the wrong account details while transferring money online. So, it is vital to check the account details carefully before entering the payee details at the time of money transfer. 

  • What is UPI money transfer?

    UPI, or Unified Payment Interface, introduced by NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India) and RBI (Reserve Bank of India) to enable instant online money transfers, rent payments, and bill payments, offering a simple and efficient method of transaction. 

  • Which is the best method for online money transfer?

    All the online payment modes are effective and useful, it depends on the need of the user that determiner which method of online money transfer is the ideal one. 

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