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Irish surfers hesitant to bank online
10.07.2007
A mere third of those who use the internet on a daily basis choose to use it for their personal banking, according to a recent survey carried out by Amárach Consulting on behalf of Halifax.
However younger generations of web surfers are more likely to bank online, with 40pc of those aged between 25 and 34 logging on rather than queuing up, and 44pc of those in the 34-44 age category.
Though younger customers are logging on to their banks' online portal, the majority (62pc) use it only once a week, or two to three times a month.
Time saving is a critical factor in the uptake of online banking, with almost 50pc of those surveyed citing it as an important reason.
42pc say they enjoy the convenience of logging on to bank while 30pc see it as a hassle-free alternative to waiting in line and filling out forms.
Unsurprisingly, the most common reason (78pc) for using online banking is to check an account balance. 58pc of online banking users choose to pay bills this way while 45pc use it to pay their credit card.
James Moore, Head of E-Commerce at Halifax said: "In our own experience most of our current account customers open their account at one of our branches, but then about a third are using our online service to manage their account.
"It's all about giving the customer choice in how they deal with us. We are growing our branch network and investing in telephone and online banking facilities that provide excellent service to customers."
Although Halifax is growing its online banking presence, only 11pc of those surveyed felt that physical bank branches would ever be replaced by their online equivalent.
By Marie Boran
Though younger customers are logging on to their banks' online portal, the majority (62pc) use it only once a week, or two to three times a month.
Time saving is a critical factor in the uptake of online banking, with almost 50pc of those surveyed citing it as an important reason.
42pc say they enjoy the convenience of logging on to bank while 30pc see it as a hassle-free alternative to waiting in line and filling out forms.
Unsurprisingly, the most common reason (78pc) for using online banking is to check an account balance. 58pc of online banking users choose to pay bills this way while 45pc use it to pay their credit card.
James Moore, Head of E-Commerce at Halifax said: "In our own experience most of our current account customers open their account at one of our branches, but then about a third are using our online service to manage their account.
"It's all about giving the customer choice in how they deal with us. We are growing our branch network and investing in telephone and online banking facilities that provide excellent service to customers."
Although Halifax is growing its online banking presence, only 11pc of those surveyed felt that physical bank branches would ever be replaced by their online equivalent.
By Marie Boran
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Business