Site.SEEING: Internet-only bank site is easy to use

Northwestern Financial Review, Apr 1, 2001

Internet-only bank site is easy to use

First Internet Bank of Indiana has an attractive, fast-- loading, highly-functional site. As the country's first state-- chartered Internet-only bank, you would expect this site to be among the best. And it is. The site is regularly cited by Smart Money and Gomez, Inc.'s Internet Banking Scorecard as tops in the industry.

Started in February 1999, the $205 million, Indianapolisbased bank attracts customers from all over the country. Its aggressive rates on certificates of deposit, IRAs and credit cards would appeal to anyone. In early March, the bank was offering a checking account that paid 4.5 APY. Like most two-year-old de novos, the bank has yet to make a profit. In early January, David Becker, the bank's chairman and CEO, said he expects to achieve profitability by the end of the year.

The site's demo feature loads quickly and does a very good job of giving a prospective customer a feel for what it would be like to do business with First Internet Bank. The site also offers detailed privacy and security statements, which are easily accessible from the home page. The home page also features a link to an easy-to-use search engine.

The home page is remarkably simple. This clean look reinforces the notion that the Web site is clear about its purpose. Sometimes bank Web sites obscure their main purpose with too many links, fun features and moving graphics.