Banks lose interest in the web

The internet has lost its appeal for UK banks because of lack of customers, according to a report published today.

The study, published by Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, found that expectations from ecommerce have halved since last year because of poor customer demand in online banking and other financial services. The study said banks are not expecting huge savings or returns on investment from their websites any more.

According to Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, 42 per cent of financial institutions blamed the lack of customer interest in internet banking for their disappointment in ecommerce.

The report concluded that any internet initiatives will now receive a much more critical response than last year. It said: "E-initiatives are now treated the same as any other strategic option and nearly half of the respondents said other initiatives have taken priority."