Abbey National Offshore launches Internet Banking Service & refreshed website

"These services will give personal banking customers access to their accounts and the ability to carry out transactions from a PC anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said David Siddal, Director, Retail Banking, Abbey National Offshore. "The new Internet Banking Service is quick and easy to use and has been designed to complement more traditional methods of communication between the customer and Abbey National Offshore."

Abbey National Offshore, the offshore arm of Britain's sixth largest high street bank, says the moves are in line with growing consumer demand for electronic communication.

"It is envisaged that by the end of 2002 more than 490 million people worldwide will regularly use the internet," said Siddall. "According to Computer Industry Almanac, over 30% of the UK population log on regularly, with almost 20% managing their bank accounts online."

Key features of the new Abbey National Offshore Internet Banking Service include the ability to view updated account balances and statements, search past transactions, action transfers between Abbey National Offshore accounts, request external payments worldwide or cheque withdrawals.

"This online access to Abbey National Offshore accounts is easy to use and additional help is available by phone or online giving customers a peace of mind guarantee," said Siddall.

To maximise security, the Abbey National Offshore Internet Banking Service is set to the industry standard of 128 bit encryption. In addition, Abbey National Offshore offers customers a security guarantee against potential online fraud, as long as they have taken all the necessary safeguards to protect their password and Internet ID.

Existing and new customers can get a demonstration of the service by simply clicking onto the Abbey National Offshore website www.anoffshore.com and onto the Homepage section - 'How do I bank online?'

"This service will give customers worldwide more control, saving them time and making their day-to-day banking much easier. We have a customer-focused culture, and have tried to ensure that the refreshed Website and new Internet Banking Service adds real value.

"Customers can now view new products, current interest rates, and also manage their bank accounts every day of the year, wherever they are and whenever they want. Bringing the bank to our customers' fingertips is a major step towards our overall aim of making our customers' lives easier."

ENDS