Steve Sheinheit, executive VP of corporate systems architecture with Chase, says one of every four expense dollars is spent on technology. Last summer, the company relaunched its Web site to make it easier to use. Next year, the company will add the ability to view returned checks and to file merchant charge-dispute forms online. Prudential Insurance Co. of America is using the Internet to expand into other lines of business, including financial services. The company's PruOnline site lets customers access information about account balances, insurance policies, and money-market and mutual funds.
Consumers can also get insurance quotes, pay bills, and transfer funds at the site.
The ultimate goal, says Prudential, is improved customer service. An insurance subsidiary of Sisters of Mercy Health System St. Louis, a health care provider, is experimenting with an online enrollment service to let its business clients who get insurance also register for health-care coverage. Sisters of Mercy will likely partner with other companies to expand beyond enrollment services, too.