Technologies of payment rather than technologies of connection are the real trigger for the expansion of electronic commerce on the Internet. This article discusses "smart cards," highlighting Mondex, the electronic purse developed in the United Kingdom. Predicts that cash will be replaced by "e-cash," which is cheaper to make,…

More than 30 million households own PCs and more than 20% of these use PCs to manage their finances. This article examines the Internet and financial services, consumer needs, and differentiation in service products and predicts future trends in retail financial services (cheaper niche products, cross-border selling, selling knowledge, payments,…

Electronic ground was broken in 1995 with the development of the completely Internet-based bank Security First Network Bank. This article discusses the need for developing online services, outlines the reasons for the formation of an Internet-based bank and argues that to remain competitive financial services providers must provide easier customer…

A user survey of 60 company Web sites (electronic commerce, entertainment and leisure, financial and banking services, information services, retailing and travel, and tourism) determined that 30% had facilities for conducting online transactions and only 7% charged for site access. Overall, Web sites were rated high in ease of access, content, and…

A survey of Singapore-based firms in computer/information technology, hospitality, manufacturing, retail, travel, publishing, and banking/finance that use the Internet for business found that most of the respondents use the Internet for marketing and advertising, customer service and support, information gathering, and, to a lesser degree,…