This question assumes that the issue is one of confidence rather than of market forces. As recently as two years ago, two of the UK high street banks were actively discouraging their customers from requesting Internet banking by suggesting that it was insecure. Two years later, and using the same technology that was available then, these same two banks are now spending large marketing budgets encouraging their customers to bank online. The one major technological problem that acts as a barrier to widespread online shopping is the payment mechanism. This is not because they need credit, but rather because they need an electronic payment mechanism.
Credit cards are currently the only game in town.
Although payment cards, in some cases based on smart card technology, are in use in some European countries, there are no internationally accepted alternatives to the credit card. The general acceptance of the credit card as the Internet payment mechanism of choice is further evidence of the North American influence. Schemes such as Gismo and PayPal are electronic payment mechanisms specifically designed for retail consumers shopping via the Internet. A major boost to e-commerce would be provided by governments either endorsing such schemes or introducing state equivalent schemes. Regulators are the hedgehogs on the information superhighway.