Only 20% of the Internet banking services rendered by the HSBC Bank Armenia are actually used, Astrid Clifford, CEO, HSBC Bank Armenia told NEWS.am-Innovation. According to her, the Armenian economy is based on cash payments, which is an obstacle to the sale of services.

Referring to survey results, Ms. Clifford said that women use Internet banking service more often than men. In Armenia 23% of women and 19% of men use the services.

She said that clients can use all the services, except for receiving cash, but they prefer visiting the bank. The HSBC Bank Armenia plans to ensure access to specific products for clients to enable them, for example, to apply for a credit card in an on-line regime.

Ms. Clifford also said that the bank plans to bring the number of Internet banking users up to 10,000 by the end of this year.

Active Internet banking users are more important for the bank, as they can get registered without actually using the services, she said. Ms. Clifford pointed out that poor awareness among Armenian clients may be one of the reasons.

T.P.