Natwest will try selling by interactive TV.

JERSEY CITY -- National Westminster Bancorp said Wednesday it has entered into a partnership with Eatontown, N.J.-based Comcast Cable Communications Inc. to sell financial services via interactive television.

The Jersey City-based subsidiary of National Westminster Bank PLC said it will sell mortgage products through a pilot program at one of its branches in Monmouth County and in selected real estate agents' offices.

The program, which will link customers to service representatives via telephone, is expected to begin at the end of January. The $25 billion-asset bank hopes eventually to sell mortgage products and other financial services to customers at home via television sets. The bank said subscribers will need a settop converter box and a telephone near the television.

"This is a very personal way for the bank to interact with its customers," said John Tugwell, Natwest's chairman and chief executive.

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