Online Bill Pay: What It Is & How To Use It

Online bill payment is an electronic service that allows you to pay your bills all in one place, without having to write and mail checks. This service can usually be set up through your bank, credit union, or directly through service providers.

When you set up online bill payment with your bank or credit union, the bank will issue an electronic payment or a paper check using funds drawn from your checking account, to the recipient, for one-time or recurring bills.

When you set up online bill pay with a service provider, you are granting that provider (e.g., the phone company, mortgage company, utility providers, etc.) your bank account information so that they can withdraw from the account to pay for the company’s service.

There are several advantages to using an online bill payment service. Some of the top reasons to use online bill payment are as follows:

• More convenient: With online bill pay you will no longer have to visit several different websites to pay each one of your bills. Online bill pay allows you to manage your payments to various companies, all in one place. All you have to do is sign in to your bank’s portal and pay via the central dashboard. Or, have the process completely automated. 
• More reliable: Online bill pay schedules all your payments in advance, which can help you avoid the consequences of late or missed payments, such as hefty late fees or dings to your credit score. It also takes the pressure off of you to plan for and remember all of your bill due dates by automating the process or using eBills to set reminders for when your bills are due.
• More sustainable: Online bill pay offers a more environmentally friendly way to pay your bills by cutting down on paper waste that comes with sending and receiving paper mail.

As long as you practice responsible management of your finances, the advantages will generally outweigh the disadvantages, but it’s still important to explore what the drawbacks of online bill pay are. Keep the following in mind:

• If you initiate a payment without the necessary funds in your checking account, you could incur overdraft fees. 
• If you set up a recurring payment for a certain amount and then your amount due increases, you’ll pay less than the full amount owed and may face underpayment fees from the payee.

Setting up online bill pay is a fairly fast and easy process. Keep in mind that each bank, credit union, or service provider will have its own set of steps for setting up online bill pay, but you can generally expect to do the following:

1. Log in: You can sign into your account through your bank or financial institution’s online portal or mobile app, and then go to the “bill pay” feature. 
2. Enter biller’s information: You’ll then need to add a payee by providing your bank or credit union with your bill provider’s information, which will likely include the company name and address, as well as your account number and the name on the bill.
3. Enter payment information: Next, you’ll need to select how much you’d like the payment to be, when to send the payment, and whether it is a one-time or recurring payment. 

In addition to online bill pay, there are alternative electronic payment methods to help you pay ongoing bills online and avoid late fees. 

Pay Bills With ACH Debit Payments

Like online bill pay, ACH (Automated Clearing House) debit payments are a convenient way to electronically move your money from your checking account to a payee’s account. ACH debit payments are electronic payments that move from one bank to another through the ACH network.

With this approach, you supply the service provider with your checking account information and grant them permission to take the money as needed. They’ll withdraw money directly from your checking account each time a payment is due. ACH debit payments are a great option if the amount you owe changes every month, like with utility bills.

Use Bill Pay From a Third Party

Another way to pay all your bills online and in one place is to use a third-party bill pay service. This service is similar to online bill pay through your bank except you are using an independent party to pay a bill or multiple bills on your behalf, usually for a fee. You can set up third-party billing in the same way you would online bill pay by creating a list of payees. You can also have payments sent electronically or by check.

It’s important to keep in mind that when you use a third-party bill pay service, there is often a fee attached to it. This fee may be higher than the fee a company may charge when you pay them directly.

• Set reminders to track when each bill is due
• Make sure to keep your account funded
• Look for a bank that offers high levels of transparency with their bill pay service, so you will always know when a payee receives a payment 

Practice safe online banking by creating strong passwords and always using a secure network when signing into your bank account online

Online bill pay can be a great aid to make paying bills as seamless and painless as possible. Adulting is way simpler when you use electronic and automated methods to stay on top of your financial obligations.