Your Guide to Paying Bills Online

Paying bills online is a convenient and secure way to pay everyone from your utility companies to your babysitter. Getting started is quick and easy!

The Benefits of Paying Bills Online

• Convenience. Pay your bills from anywhere, at any time. 
• Security. Online bill pay is a secure way to pay your bills. Your financial information not only encrypted, but you will have an easier time keeping track of spend and can set account alerts to monitor activity. 
• Time saver. No more looking for stamps, or even individually logging it to all your separate bill accounts. Pay directly from your bank — online or by app! 
• Peace of mind. You won't have to worry about late fees or forgetting to pay a bill. Simply schedule your payments or set up recurring payments for things like gas and electricity or mortgage.
• Good for the environment. Opting out of receiving paper bills and cutting out checks means less waste, plus less worry about storing old documents or getting them shredded.

Step-by-step Guide on How to Pay Bills Online

1. Gather your bills. List all the payees and figure out a plan for either a scheduled one-time payment or recurring payments. Be sure to gather all relevant information you need to pay (whether it's the amount due, a due date, or a checking account number). 
2. Select payment method. Choose to pay with credit, debit, or your bank account. 
3. Set up your online bill pay. Most banks offer online bill pay as a free service. To set it up, you will need to provide your bank with the information for each bill you want to pay online. 
4. Schedule your payments. Once you have set up your online bill pay, you can schedule your payments to be sent automatically on the due date, or even before to allow for some cushion. This will help you avoid late fees and keep your finances organized.

Things to Remember

• Monitor your payments. It's good practice to check your account regularly to make sure all of your payments have processed and keep track of pending and upcoming payments. 
• Online bill pay isn't immediate. Bill pay can take several days to process and reach the payee. It's advised to schedule your bills to send several business days in advance so you don't run the risk of a late payment. 
• Use Zelle®. You can send, request, or receive money with Zelle®. This can be a better option if it's a one-time payment that needs to get to the recipient quickly. 
• Make sure you have sufficient funds. If you don't have enough money in your account to cover your bills you could face overdraft fees or a declined transaction, which could cause a late payment. 

Paying bills online is a safe and convenient way to manage your finances. Get started today and get peace of mind your payments are setup, secure and trackable. And if you have questions about digital banking, BillPay, or any of your banking needs, a Personal Banker from FNBO would be happy to answer them. Give us a call today.