An On-Line Time Line: B of A and Home Banking

Bank of America was among the first North American banks to post a site on the World Wide Web, and has become one of the first banks to enable customers to pay bills and perform other transactions through the Internet and other on-line channels.

Here is a history of the bank's effort to bring these products to market:

December 1994: Launches first site on the World Wide Web, with information only. The site's theme is "Build Your Own Bank." it encourages viewers to register their financial interests so that they may view information customized to their preferences.

May 1995: Joins with NationsBank to purchase Meca software, the Fairfield, Conn.-based manufacturer of Managing Your Money. The financial management software will become a cornerstone of the bank's home banking product offerings.

June 1995: Creates a new division, the interactive banking unit, to coordinate introduction of new remote banking channels.

June-July 1995: Through interactive banking unit, decides to pursue development of three services simultaneously: PC home banking through Managing Your Money software, an access point on America Online, and a stand-alone Internet Web site.

Late summer, 1995: Tests prototypes of the new Web sites among bank employees, including many who have never tried home banking and who are not familiar with the Internet.

October 1995: Conducts an intensive, two-week test of its Web site designs with consumers in Northern and Southern California. The product is adjusted as testers give their feedback.

January: Has Web site overhauled, but transactional capabilities are still lacking.

February: Introduces bill payment by telephone.

May: Has final versions of the new, transactional Web sites tested by both bank employees and outsiders. Remaining kinks are smoothed.

June 3: Posts new site on the World Wide Web, with more than 2,000 pages of information and banking functions. An analagous access point on America Online is posted, under the service's "Personal Finance" area. Bank of America-branded Managing Your Money software is simultaneously introduced. Customers can pay bills, transfer money among accounts, and check balances instantly, through the Internet, America Online, PC software, or the pay- by-phone service.

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