Business Financial Services Banking Services

Banking and Finance on the Internet Mary J. Cronin, Editor From Wall Street to Main Street and around the world, financial institutions of all types and sizes are branching out into cyberspace. What was once the electronic frontier— the Internet— is now a high-stakes competitive arena for everyone from multinational investment houses to data processing conglomerates to mutual fund giants to local community banks. Millions of financial transactions race through the Web daily, and the number grows exponentially each year. So, the question is no longer when are financial institutions going online, but how. Banking and Finance on the Internet analyzes the technological developments and electronic strategies that are driving full-scale online commerce into the financial services sector. Edited by Internet expert Mary J. Cronin, Ph.D., with contributions from online innovators at leading firms worldwide, the book examines the impact of Web-based commerce on key issues and challenges for financial services, such as: " Virtual banks" and the new products and services they are developingBringing mutual funds and stock trading to the WebSmart cards, e-cash, and other electronic payment options and their implications for digital trustElectronic commerce strategies and products of major credit card and financial clearinghousesThe role of standards and strategic partnerships in creating new opportunities for retail and commercial banks, brokerages, international firms, and investment and financial services companiesThis collection combines the strategic vision of industry leaders with the implementation experience and hard-won insights of financial entrepreneurs and technologyinnovators to provide a dynamic overview of this fast-moving competitive arena. Banking and Finance on the Internet will help you see beyond today’ s e-commerce headlines to evaluate the fundamental issues involved in moving financial services to the Internet.

In recent years, the delivery of financial services has changed consistent with technological advances that have occurred. On-line banking, on-line trading and brokerage services, and capital markets are available and utilized in varying degrees in the industrialized nations of the world. Beyond the availability of services on-line, E-Finance is redefining the cost and competitive structure of financial services. This convergence of technology and financial services provides opportunities for emerging markets to leapfrog in the development and delivery of financial services. This paper identifies issues arising from the spread of E-Finance including the readiness of telecommunications infrastructure, public policy and regulatory requirements, and financial sector development approaches. It hopes to stimulate dialogue on the role E-Finance can play in supporting the World Bank's overall mission.