Study shows online banking very popular; bill pay gaining fast

MILWAUKEE – According to a new survey of 3,000 U.S. adult Internet users, three out of four adults go online to help manage their finances. According to the survey, some 37.5 million U.S. adults bank online, up from 29 million last year. It also showed that 19.5 million U.S. adults pay bills online, up from 12.5 million last year. “Personal banking is the most popular financial activity, and bill payment is the fastest growing sector within online banking,” said Thomas Miller, senior consultant for the Dieringer Research Group, which conducted the survey. A good indication that online banking is going mainstream is that it is moving down the income levels. The median income of online bankers has fallen 18% in two years, from $62,500 in 2000 to $51,500 this year. The survey also found that online banking users are more likely than other online adult users to seek and apply online for credit cards, personal loans, and mortgages. Credit unions have been using online services to try and obtain their members’ e-mail addresses for marketing purposes, and they may want to continue trying. The survey found that 18% of U.S. consumers say their bank has an e-mail address for them, but only half of that 18% say they actually receive e-mail from their bank. Consumers said they would be most open to receiving e-mails alerting them of critical account activity, such as reaching credit limits. For more information on the survey call (800) 965-4636. This is the eighth year Dieringer has conducted the survey.