EDITOR'S NOTE: THE LEGACY REMAINS

In this issue, we're pleased to present findings from the American Banker/Tower Group 1995 Survey of Technology in Banking.

Taken together, the results paint a picture that is sometimes at odds with the image projected by the most visible, technology-savvy banks. Industrywide spending on technology continues to increase, for example, but the bulk of the dollars continue to support older mainframe-based systems. Despite the hype about banking in cyberspace, nearly half the industry said it had no plans to offer Internet access. And while imaging systems are increasingly common in banks, the volume of paper - checks and all manner of documents - continues to grow as well.

But the survey does offer happier results for those who believe technology is a key element in a strategy to beat the competition and improve customer service. Many banks are now moving fast to obtain the systems they need to track customer profitability and build relationships with their customers. And the industry plans to jack up spending over the next three years on newer technologies like networks of personal computers and data warehouses.

To read how the survey was conducted, turn to page 19.

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