ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1999 JUL 29 (NB) -- By Steve Gold, Newsbytes.
Net.Bank [NASDAQ:NTBK], the Web-based bank, says the number of
individual accounts on its service has doubled to 40,000 in the last
six months.
As a result of this growth, the bank has enhanced its Web site at
netbank.com to allow new customers to interactively track
their account applications online, rather than have them wait for their
account activation packs through the mail.
Net.Bank offers more than three percent interest on its NetValue and
other checking accounts. This is despite the fact that the NetValue
account is free of regular charges and only requires a starting balance
of $100.
In return for the initial deposit, account holders get free checks and
an ATM card free of all charges worldwide (excluding where the ATM
owner imposes a charge at the point of sale).
Andrea Thabit, a spokesperson for the bank, told Newsbytes that one of
the most appealing aspects of an online bank is that it can be accessed
internationally. "This makes the bank attractive to ex-patriots (of the
US)," she said, adding that Net.bank now has account holders in 20
countries other than the US.
Thabit said that due to a lack of real estate overhead, the bank can
offer excellent rates of interest to customers, both on checking and
savings accounts, and loans.
"The bank has been profitable for the last five quarters as well, which
we think is a major feature, because not too many Web-based operations
are profitable," she said.
Plans are in hand for Net.bank to introduce several other new
facilities for customers in the coming months. These will include check
and document imaging for online viewing of all account documents; an
instant messenger system in which customers, while online, will be able
to immediately send and receive e-mail with a customer service
representative; online check reordering, and new systems that allow for
faster credit approvals.
Fully FDIC insured, the bank also offers a range of services, including
free unlimited online bill payment, free unlimited ATM use, Visa and
MasterCard credit cards, online brokerage services and mortgage
facilities.
Reported by Newsbytes.com, newsbytes.com . |
