By Sarah Left, 16 February 1999 00:20
NEWS UK bank, the Woolwich has launched a financial services package offering Internet and telephone banking to its retail customers. Called Open Plan Services, it is the first time the Woolwich has given customers the ability to conduct transactions over the Internet. Account holders can transfer funds, keep track of investments and set up electronic checks. A Woolwich spokesman said: "Basically, you can be your own banker." Customers can access the free service via the Internet, telephone or the traditional counter. The Woolwich began piloting the project in September and now claims to have over 1,000 pilot users. The company is exploring the possibility of offering the service through interactive digital television and kiosks. This also the first time the Woolwich has offered telephone banking. The bank began recruiting and training operators in August, and opened a call centre in Clacton, Essex. It currently employs 85 operators, but hopes to have the number up to 400 by the end of the year. "We're not expanding in a great rush," said the spokesman. "We're taking a retail attitude rather than a traditional banking attitude. We don't want a situation where the demand grows faster than our ability to provide customer service."
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