Sainsbury's predicts boom in online banking
There has been a boom in popularity for purchasing financial services online, according to a new report, with even greater numbers predicted to do so next year.
According to Sainsbury's Bank in the year June 2005 to 2006, 4.8 million people will have completed a financial application online.
In contrast to last year, this equates to a rise of one million online bankers, or an increase of 23 per cent.
Sainsbury's suggests that increasing amounts of web users (62 per cent of adults are now online), increasing awareness of the internet and better security systems have contributed to the rise.
Kevin Barrett, director of e-commerce, Sainsbury's Bank, said: 'The internet has become an important life tool, playing an increasing role in the way we conduct our daily affairs – whether it's shopping, booking a holiday or sorting our finances.'
The survey also adds that lunchtime is the most popular time of day for consumers to do some e-banking. | 
