Dave Sullivan
Northern News Services

Hay River (Feb 11/02) - Kandis Jamieson's enthusiasm for online banking wasn't dampened from being unable to log on the day she agreed to talk about the technology's convenience.

Kandis Jamieson thinks everyone should bank online. - Dave Sullivan/NNSL photo

The problem was not with phone lines or the bank's Web site. It turned out her computer was broken.

A former Royal Bank loans officer now running a refuse and sewer pumping business with her husband, Jamieson has been online with the Royal since leaving the bank about four years ago.

She does all her personal banking by computer, and recently moved her business banking online. Jamieson can barely remember the last time she was in a bank, and it was to meet for lunch with former colleagues.

"I pay all my bills online. Sears, Mastercard, Stittco, and the town.

"It's more convenient and a lot quicker, especially if you count the time to warm up the car and drive to the bank."

Besides, she says, people are too busy these days. They deserve a break at lunch hour, and shouldn't have to spend it at the bank.

On this particular day online banking is especially attractive: it's -39 C outside.

Jamieson also likes how online banking helps the business.

"We get paid instantly, and we never have to worry about NSF cheques."

Each morning the bank faxes her a list of customers who've paid their bill.

She has a lot of confidence in the system's security.

Logging on is slightly more inconvenient than using an instant teller, because the banking card's 16-digit number has to be typed in. But Jamieson has pretty much memorized the number. She logs on about once a week.

"If more people knew how easy it is, they'd do it."

Time is at a premium in the Jamieson household. After-school time is for helping her children with homework, and two of them are in hockey.

"Every night of the week we have something happening."

But with online banking, "you can do it in the middle of the night if you want to."