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Online Bill Pay: What It Is and Why to Use It
Online bill pay lets you make individual or recurring electronic payments from your bank or credit union.
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What is bill pay?
Bill pay is a service offered by many banks and credit unions that lets you set up automatic payments for bills. If you juggle rent or a mortgage, cable and electricity bills, credit card payments and more, online bill pay can save time and help you avoid late fees.
Online bill pay also allows you to manage your payments to various companies — all in one place. There’s no need to pay a Verizon bill on Verizon’s website, a Wells Fargo credit card with Wells Fargo bill pay, then write a check to your landlord. Instead, you could do it all from your financial institution’s website or mobile app.
An added bonus: Many banks and credit unions guarantee your payments will arrive on time and will reimburse your late fee if they don’t.
How does bill pay work?
How online bill pay works is straightforward: Log in to your bank account, navigate to its online bill pay feature, then select the provider you would like to pay. If you haven’t paid the provider through online bill pay before, you’ll need to add it by choosing it from a list or by plugging in the account number and billing address, then authorizing your bank to send payments for you.
Payments can be sent by your bank electronically or via paper check, so you can pay even if the biller isn’t online — virtually eliminating the need for a checkbook. You can also choose a one-time payment or set up a recurring one.
Many banks offer basic bill pay service for free with their checking accounts. If you’re trying to minimize unnecessary fees, signing up for free bill pay service is a good way to keep track of your accounts and avoid charges for missing or late payments.
Many merchants and service providers offer the option of letting you receive an e-bill, or an electronic version of your paper bill, into your online bill pay account. If an e-bill arrives, you can have your bank alert you by email, text message or push notification via the bank app. Typically, you can choose whether to pay the entire balance, just the minimum due or another amount. You can even opt to have your bills paid automatically.
4.00%Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 10/09/2025. APY may change at any time before or after the account is opened. Available only online.
5.00%Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of June 17th, 2025. Start earning 2.50% APY, then qualify to earn 5.00% APY on your balance up to $5,000.00 and 2.50% APY on balances over $5,000 next month by 1) Receiving direct deposit(s) totaling $1,000 or more; and 2) Ending the month with a positive balance in all your Varo Accounts. No fees, no minimums required. Rates subject to change at any time.
3.50%Annual Percentage Yield (APY) may change at any time and fees may reduce earnings. Please visit etrade.com/ratesheet for more information.
Min. balance for APY
$0
These cash accounts combine services and features similar to checking, savings and/or investment accounts in one product. Cash management accounts are typically offered by non-bank financial institutions.
These cash accounts combine services and features similar to checking, savings and/or investment accounts in one product. Cash management accounts are typically offered by non-bank financial institutions.
Up to 3.90%The Base Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is 3.25%, from program banks, is as of 12/19/25, is variable and is subject to change. If you are eligible for the overall boosted rate of 3.90% offered in connection with this promo, your boosted rate is also subject to change if the base rate decreases during the three-month promotional period. This limited-time promo offers eligible new Wealthfront clients a 0.65% APY increase over the standard base APY for 3 months on up to $150k in their Cash Accounts. Cash Account offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC, and is not a bank. Base APY (is representative, subject to change, requires no minimum) is paid from our Program Banks.
3.90%Cash Reserve offered by Betterment LLC and requires a Betterment Securities brokerage account. Betterment is not a bank. Learn More (https://www.betterment.com/cash-portfolio). Annual percentage yield (variable) is 3.25% as of 12/12/25, plus a 0.65% boost (“APY Boost”) for new clients with a qualifying deposit. $10 min deposit for base APY. Terms apply (betterment.com/boost); if the base APY changes, the Boosted APY will change. FDIC insurance provided by Program Banks (https://www.betterment.com/cash-portfolio), subject to certain conditions.
Min. balance for APY
$0
CDs (certificates of deposit) are a type of savings account with a fixed rate and term, and usually have higher interest rates than regular savings accounts.
CDs (certificates of deposit) are a type of savings account with a fixed rate and term, and usually have higher interest rates than regular savings accounts.
4.05%All Bread Savings APYs are accurate as of 12/18/2025. APYs are subject to change at any time without notice. Offers apply to personal accounts only. Fees may reduce earnings. To open a CD, a minimum of $1,500 is required and must be deposited in a single transaction. A penalty will be imposed for early withdrawals on CDs. At maturity, your CD will automatically renew and earn the base interest rate in effect at that time. Rates are compared against competitor rates published by NerdWallet.com and the institutions themselves as of 12/18/2025. NerdWallet.com obtains the data from the various banks that it tracks and its accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
4.10%Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is subject to change at any time without notice. Offer applies to personal non-IRA accounts only. Fees may reduce earnings. For CD accounts, a penalty may be imposed for early withdrawals. After maturity, if your CD rolls over, you will earn the offered rate of interest in effect at that time. Visit synchrony.com/banking for current rates, terms and account requirements. Member FDIC.
Term
9 months
Checking accounts are used for day-to-day cash deposits and withdrawals.
Checking accounts are used for day-to-day cash deposits and withdrawals.
2.00%Annual Percentage Yield (APY). APY may change at any time and fees may reduce earnings. Please visit etrade.com/ratesheet for more information. The $15 monthly account fee can be waived when you maintain an average monthly balance of at least $5,000 in the account on or after the end of the second calendar month from opening the account.
Monthly fee
$15
Money market accounts pay rates similar to savings accounts and have some checking features.
Money market accounts pay rates similar to savings accounts and have some checking features.
The effort you take in the initial setup can save you time and headaches in the long run. Each bank or credit union will have its own rules and steps, but generally here’s what you need to do to set up bill pay:
Gather your bills, including account numbers and the addresses to where you mail the payments.
Enter each biller’s information into your bank’s online bill pay platform, or choose them from a list provided by your bank.
Choose when to send the payment.
Select a recurring or one-time payment.
Set reminders or alerts to track when each bill is due.
Online bill pay helps you organize bills and keep track of due dates. It also makes it easier to see where your money is going, so you can make sure you have enough funds available to cover each payment. You receive and pay your bills all through your bank — one list, in one place.
