Brokerages will be happy to tell you all the products and financial solutions they can offer you: It's entirely possible this could be a real solution. Assets that take more time to sell without losing value, like real estate, are more illiquid and fall on the other side of the spectrum. If you like the features of a big-bank checking account but aren't satisfied with its savings rates, you can always take that money to a credit union or online bank. But, you have to be a member in order to open an account. It's easy to link your internet accounts to services like PayPal, and even to accounts at other banks, so you can have the best of both worlds. While it's true that online transactions can lead to credit card fraud and stolen information, most banks do their best to make transmissions secure. The statement will list all of your transactions as well as any fees charged to your account and interest your money has earned.