By Jonathan Russell
Online banking will become more important in the future, an information provider has said.
According to Online Banking Report, the service is "essential" for gathering business over the internet and will increase in significance as people shift to online dealings.
In a statement, the organisation claimed that online banking "will grow in importance as we move towards the post-branch era when all accounts will be opened online and over the phone".
But Online Banking Report, which provides information and advice to executives in the financial sector, also said that the service needs to be improved and has released a report explaining how this might be done.
Recently, government group Consumer Focus said that energy customers who are billed online rather than by prepayment meters can save money.
Spokesperson Zoe McLeod said that paying by direct debit could save £110 annually and making online direct debit payments could up the savings to £190.
