Bank of Valletta said yesterday that new deposit accounts can now be opened through its internet banking channel.

Customers can open savings accounts, term deposit accounts, current accounts, EasySave accounts, cheque reserve accounts and Premier deposit accounts.

The bank also announced that income tax payments and social security contributions may now be settled through the bill payment facility available on BOV internet banking or by calling the BOV customer service centre on 2131 2020. The service is free of charge and subscribers will only be required to provide the payment reference which will be featuring on all bills.

This reference incorporates all the taxpayer's and payment-type information and is verified for validity at keying-in stage, thereby ensuring that no mistakes are made in the data-input process. Upon receipt of payment, the Commissioner of Inland Revenue will mail a formal receipt.

The bank said its internet banking customers will also be able to link their new accounts to existing cashlink cards. In this way, customers will be able to access and manage accounts they open on the internet through their card.

Personal customers may themselves enable or disable the use, through the bank's 24x7 services, of accounts held in their name. This can be done directly, either through the internet or customer service centre.

Ray Azzopardi, head of multi-channel banking, said that for those accounts where an introductory reference is required, such as in the case of customers who do not already hold a current account, full details of a referee will be requested and clients will be informed that the account is operative once the information requested from the referee is received.

Customers opening accounts through BOV 24x7 services will also be requested to produce an authenticated copy of their ID document within 15 days if it is not already held on the bank's records.