Eight percent to 9 percent of the bank's customers have online banking accounts, above the industry's goal of 6 percent. I view it almost as another branch. Capital plans to include more features including loan applications, Neuman said. We're also looking at customers being able to sign up for checking online. Associated began online services with brokerage accounts, and in February its Web site began offering regular banking functions such as account balances and fund transfers.
Online bill paying is in the works.
More ways to access the bank means more business. Privacy regulations make it difficult for banks to increase their online abilities, Baylake's Hanson said. For example, Baylake wants to e-mail bank statements but must develop a system to confirm that the customer received the statement, he said. The bank also hopes to start services for s mall business. Still, Internet banking is becoming a given for more customers, Hanson said.