Bank Of Valletta has become the first bank in Malta to offer on-line banking services, bank chairman Joseph F. X. Zahra announced last Wendesday.

BoV last week launched an integrated suite of 24x7 delivery channels. The bank's customers may now bank over the Internet, telephone or through a dedicated customer service centre. These channels have been developed to offer BoV's customers convenient and secure access to their banking needs anytime, anywhere. This suite includes the new BoV Internet Banking service, allowing customers 24x7 access to their accounts through the internet, a new state-of-the-art customer service centre, and a new BoV Telephone Banking service. These channels together create a virtual branch that will provide customers with personal service, using latest technology and security.

Around 400 users are already making use of BoV Internet Banking and other channels and BoV will start accepting applications from next month. He added that the significance of the new money management channels goes beyond the impressive technology that lies at the heart of these systems.

The services are being offered as a complete bundle. Customers will be given a BoV Securekey - a modern handheld electronic device that is simple to use and provides state-of-the-art information security protection.

IT executive head Victor Denaro explained that customers making use of BoV Internet Banking will be able to access their bank accounts by logging on to www.bov.com.

An extensive range of services allows customers to view their account balance, list and download transactions, transfer funds from one account to another, order statements, view encashed cheques on screen, effect payment to third parties, make bill payments to major service providers, set a standing order, report lost or stolen cards, order cheque books, foreign currency and travellers' cheques, calculate loan repayments and ask for information on charges and fees.