Barnett Hires KeyCorp Exec To Lead Electronic Banking

Barnett Banks Inc. has found a successor for Catherine Corby, a prominent electronic banking executive who left two months ago.

The company has hired William F. "Sam" McLimans to be director of electronic and self-service delivery. He reports to Lee Hanna, chief retail delivery executive.

Mr. McLimans came to the Jacksonville, Fla., banking company from Key Services Corp., the technology unit of KeyCorp. He had been senior vice president in Key's call center services group and managed the infrastructure for home banking and an Internet site.

Before his time at Key, Mr. McLimans was senior vice president and chief information officer at Goldome Savings Bank, Buffalo.

He said he was attracted in part by Barnett's history as an alternative delivery innovator.

"Barnett has always been high on the list of banks I've watched because of their electronic delivery strategies and strong market presence in Florida," he said.

In his new post, he manages development and support of electronic delivery channels ranging from personal computers to automated teller machines.

He also is responsible for Barnett's Internet strategy and represents the company at Integrion, the home banking consortium comprising 16 banks and International Business Machines Corp.

Some projects getting Mr. McLimans' immediate attention include: arranging for Barnett's Web site to take consumer loan applications; introducing banking through Intuit Inc.'s Quicken and Quickbooks software; and offering a product using Home Financial Network's software, Home ATM and Home Pay.

"Taking technology ... executing on it, and making it a viable product, channel, or service for the customer is the key," said Mr. McLimans. "And the strategy to be able to do that is paramount."

He added that he is particularly eager to find out "what the channel of choice will be for the customers of the future."

His predecessor, Ms. Corby, was a director of Integrion and initiated high-profile experiments at Barnett, including an interactive television trial with Time Warner Cable. After some delays, Barnett has rolled out TV- based banking services to about 140 customers, and it expects to expand the user base this year.

Ms. Corby left Barnett to become managing consultant in the retail banking division of Earnings Performance Group, a consulting company based in Short Hills, N.J.

Although she does not know Mr. McLimans personally, Ms. Corby said he starts with a good foundation.

"Barnett had no alternative delivery strategy," she said, "but instead had several different channels. We organized these and integrated them."

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