ExpertGlossary

A virtual bank offers some or all of the same types of accounts and services that traditional bricks-and-mortar banks do, but virtual banks exist only online. They typically charge lower fees and pay higher interest because of low overhead.

Virtual bank transactions can be checked in real time, as they happen, rather than at the end of the banking day or the end of the month - though those services may also be available through the online branches of traditional banks.

Virtual banks don't have branches or own ATM machines, so you make deposits electronically or by mail. Your virtual bank may reimburse your ATM fees for using other banks' machines. However, there may be a limit to the number of transactions a virtual bank will cover each month.