Internet-Only Bank Moves From Tenth to Fourth on Gomez Ratings and is Praised for its Customer First Attitude
First Internet Bank of Indiana (First IB) this week jumped six places to number four in Overall Score in the newest edition of the Internet Banker Scorecard, published online by Gomez Advisors Inc.
First IB also captured the scorecard’s top ranking in On-Site Resources, the category that rates the range and depth of a bank’s online offering. This is the Bank’s first top-five finish overall and its second win in the On-Site Resources category. First Internet Bank, which only opened its e-doors in February 1999, has quickly become one of the most competitive and highly ranked banks on the Internet.
Gomez Advisors Inc., a leading industry analyst for online financial and e-commerce services, based First IB’s rating on its ability to provide access to a broad suite of loan and savings products in addition to the standard checking accounts.
First IB’s rating in the Internet Banker Scorecard has improved steadily since it received a number 20 overall score in the first quarter scorecard and a number 10 overall score in the second quarter scorecard. Since then, the comprehensive Internet-only bank has topped banks including Bank One, Huntington, Citibank, Bank of America, and Wingspanbank.com as it has expanded its product line and enhanced the functionality of its website.
“By designing First IB around its customers, we have developed a particularly extensive line of banking products,” said David B. Becker, Chairman and CEO of First Internet Bank. “We were ranked number one in On Site Resources when we opened our doors and maintain that position today.”
Becker cited its recent ATM Surcharge Refund program as just one such customer-focused initiative. Each month, First IB refunds up to $6 per customer for surcharges incurred at other banks’ ATMs. The Bank, which owns no ATMs and operates no branches, instituted the refund to make banking more convenient and affordable for its customers.
“Since our launch earlier this year, we have made important changes to our accounts and our website, and we will continue to refine and improve our offering to our customers. Our customers truly are our most important asset,” added Becker.
According to Gomez Advisors, the 78 institutions polled for this edition of the Internet Banker Scoreboard offer their retail customers Web-based account lookup, transfers, and bill payment, functionality that goes beyond that offered by most US banks. Currently, the Scorecard focuses on Internet-only banks and banks with $2 billion or more in deposits. The complete Internet Banker Scorecard is available through the Gomez Web site at http://www.gomez.com.
About firstib.com
First IB offers a full suite of banking services that includes checking, money market savings, certificates of deposit, loans, bill payment services, credit cards, and ATM and check cards. Through an affiliation with E-LOAN, First IB makes competitive mortgage products available to its customers. In addition, First IB will be introducing a line of IRAs in November.
First IB offers significant customer benefits over traditional retail banks including real-time processing of all transactions and continuous services available 24/7 via the Internet, ATM, and touch-tone phone. Customers also enjoy industry leading interest rates on checking, savings, money markets and certificates of deposit.
Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, First Internet Bank is the first state-chartered Internet bank with accounts insured by the FDIC. It is the first “Extended Value Online Bank” to deliver a full range of real-time Internet banking products with personalized interactive services, as well as offering competitive rates. Its business model enables customers to conduct Internet banking sessions in a real-time environment and to better manage their own finances.