When it comes to online banking, you don't want to take chances

By David Lazarus

Oct. 29, 2013 12:15 PM PT

Jutta has a simple-enough question: How safe is online banking?

And there’s a simple-enough answer: It depends on whom you bank with. As with all things Internet, what counts is the company you keep.

For example, I feel pretty comfortable saying you’ll be safe enough shopping on Amazon’s website. But I wouldn’t steer you toward some fly-by-night e-commerce site that looks like it’s run out of someone’s basement.

ASK LAZ: Smart answers to consumer questions

Online banking is the same. All the big guys in the banking world are relatively trustworthy, so the question is really which one provides the most convenience, or the lowest fees?

For what it’s worth, Consumer Reports gives its top marks to ING Direct, which is now Capital One. And for more, check out today’s Ask Laz video.

If you have a consumer question, email me at asklaz@latimes.com or contact me via Twitter @Davidlaz.