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moneyGenius Team
Written and Edited By
Jessica Barrett
Expert Reviewed By

Paying bills online with a bank account essentially means transferring funds directly from your bank account to your account provider, which could be your utility provider, credit card provider, or the government to pay your taxes.

Online payments can be made immediately or scheduled in advance, and they provide many benefits that go far beyond just convenience. Online bill payments are secure, thanks to the advanced encryption and security protocols banks use to protect your transactions. Plus, online bill payments are environmentally friendly, reducing the need for paper billing and cheques.

Most banks offer an easy-to-follow process that includes logging into your online banking platform, adding the biller's details, and specifying the amount and date for the payment. Find the full list of steps below.

Key Takeaways

  • Online bill payments allow you to pay your bills from anywhere, at any time.
  • It involves sending money from your bank account to a payee’s account.
  • Once you have a payee added, you can enter the amount and date to pay your bill.
  • To cancel an online bill payment, act quickly by selecting the scheduled payment and following the prompts to cancel.

How to pay a bill online

Paying bills online is easy, but there are a few steps to get it set up:

  • Log into your online banking app or your bank’s secure website.
  • Look for an option that says "Pay Bills," “Bill Payments,” or something along those lines.
  • Set up a list of payees to identify who your money is going to and make future bill payments easier and faster.
  • To do this, you'll need to add the company you want to pay as a payee. This usually involves selecting an "Add Payee" option, and then entering the payee's name and your account number with them.
  • Once your payee is added, select them for payment, enter the amount, and choose the payment date and frequency (if applicable).

Once you’ve completed these steps, you’re all set!

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How to cancel online bill payments

Sometimes mistakes are made when paying a bill online. If you initiate an online bill payment then realize it needs to be cancelled, it’s important to act fast as cancelling these payments is only possible for a very short period.

While the process can differ depending on which bank you’re with, here are the basic steps you’ll need to take to cancel a bill payment online.

  • Access your bank's online banking platform or app and navigate to the "Bill Payments" section.
  • Look for an option to view scheduled payments.
  • Select the payment you wish to cancel and follow the prompts to confirm cancellation.

Do you pay your bills online?

Paying and managing your bills online offers a blend of convenience, efficiency, and security.

Have you made the switch to online bill payments, or do you prefer to do things the traditional way?

Do you pay bills right away, or do you like scheduling payments?

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below; we'd love to hear how digital banking has impacted your financial routine!

FAQ

How do I pay bills online with a bank account?

To pay bills online with a bank account, log into your bank's online platform, navigate to the pay bill section, add your biller by entering their details, choose the account to pay from, enter the amount, and confirm the payment.

What is the bill payment processing time?

Bill payment processing time can vary depending on the bank and the payee, but overall it usually takes a few business days. It can also take 3 - 5 business days for payees to post your payment to your account. Always check with your bank for specific timing.

Is there an online bill payment fee?

Online bill payment fees depend on your specific bank and account. Some accounts provide free unlimited transactions, others offer a set number for free, while some charge for each transaction. Contact your bank to be sure you understand your account fees.

If you liked this article and want more practical ways to save money every day, we've compiled our best tips all in one place.

Editorial Disclaimer: The content here reflects the author's opinion alone, and is not endorsed or sponsored by a bank, credit card issuer, rewards program or other entity. For complete and updated product information please visit the product issuer's website.

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