Based on chip technology, smartcards can hold many types of information, ranging from signature prints to medical details. Some e-cash mechanisms provide anonymous transactions, with no central record keeping, raising a public policy debate which is discussed later. However, while enthusiasts and sceptics disagree on how quickly the market will develop, smartcards have the potential to affect payments franchises as dramatically as credit cards have done. An intelligent agent is a software tool that will seek, filter and package information on a customized basis. It will follow instructions by the user but, over time, it will also learn the user's interests, schedule and buying habits.
Intelligent agents are already available in the financial arena.
PrimeRate 7 allows consumers to search the Internet for the best rates on personal banking products, such as mortgages, car loans and deposits.