Can You Open Bank Account Without Going to the Bank?

A bank account is a necessity, but the complicated and time-consuming process of opening one doesn’t have to be. Going to the bank and standing in line to complete withdraw or transfer money, open a bank account, or run other errands is probably your least favorite thing. Especially now, in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, the last thing you want is to go to the bank when it’s not really necessary. But what about situations when you need to open a bank account? Can you do it without a physical presence in the bank? Find out how to open a new bank account in minutes below.

Is it possible to open a new bank account from home?

Long gone are the days when you had to go to the bank to open a new bank account. Nowadays, technology is so advanced that you can do it from the comfort of your home. In fact, you can do it just about anywhere, whether you’re at work, sitting in a restaurant, going through the mall, as long as you have a strong internet connection. Online banking makes it easy to open your bank account, particularly now when banks have apps that you can download and set up easily. 

Benefits of an online bank account

Although this type of banking is widely used, if you’ve never had an open a new bank account, you probably have tons of questions. One of those questions is regarding the benefits you can expect. The advantages of setting up your account online include:

• An easy way to pay the bills without going to the bank or sending checks (that can get lost in the mail easily)
• Fast and easy access to account history and transactions regardless of where you are
• Quick money transfers from one account to another
• Participating in loyalty programs 
• Opportunity to make your payments on time, without postponing going to the bank
• Avoiding unnecessary contact with others during COVID-19 pandemic 
• Having more time for work, family, and errands

Which bank is the best for online account opening?

If you want to open a new account in UAE, you’ll notice options are endless. Banks from UAE, as well as other countries, strive to offer a more convenient process of setting up an account that comes with a wide range of features. 

Finding the best bank to open an account online comes down to your needs and preferences. But some factors can help narrow down the choice. These include:

• The reputation of the bank
• Strong and safe online banking service
• Loyalty program
• Ease of use (well-built app)
• Helpful customer service 
• Convenient account holding features (no expensive charges and fees)

Let’s take First Abu Dhabi Bank as an example. Besides the reputation of one of the most reliable banks, it also offers a wide range of services to its clients. For instance, you can open a new bank account and use the app to do so. At the same time, online banking service is safe and secure, so you don’t have to worry about privacy issues.

How to open a bank account online?

Online bank account opening is a simple and straightforward process. All you need to do is to download the bank’s app from Google Play, App Store, or Huawei App Gallery. Then, just follow instructions to create a digital bank account in a few minutes, without too much hassle. 

Just make sure to apply for an instant account opening by completing the form on the bank’s website. To complete the form, you just have to enter basic information such as first and last name, phone number, email address, Emirate, salary per month, nationality, and proceed to accept Terms and Conditions. 

What is the minimum salary to open a bank account online?

In order to open an online bank account in UAE, you need to meet certain eligibility criteria, and a minimum monthly salary is one of them. The exact minimum salary may vary from one bank to another. When it comes to the above-mentioned First Abu Dhabi Bank, you need to have a minimum monthly salary of AED 10,000. 

Features of an online bank account

Instant bank account opening comes with an array of features available to clients. For example: 

• Free platinum MasterCard debit card
• No minimum balance charges
• Free lounge access at selected airports
• Loyalty program with rich rewards
• Special offers and discounts at numerous retailers 
• Free cash withdrawals 
• Secure online shopping with a one-time password (OTP)

Bottom line

Instead of going to the bank, you can open an online account from the comfort of your home. Upon completing an online application and downloading the app, you can have access to your bank account with a simple tap on the phone’s display.