Internet bill payments almost double

Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank has announced that it has seen a significant increase in the number of consumers choosing to pay their bills online over the last 12 months. In 2007, more than 1.9 million online bill payments were made via the bank’s BillPay website representing a year-on-year increase of more than 70 per cent.

Commenting on the increase, Graham Long, Head of Payment Services at Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank said: “Our 2007 figures highlight the growing number of Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank’s business customers choosing to enable their customers to make payments online and the increasing number of consumers who are choosing online payments due to the convenience this channel provides.

“The growth we have seen over the last few years clearly indicates that the internet is fast becoming the preferred bill payment channel for many.”

The bank’s BillPay website was launched in July 2000 and has proved to be very popular. The service is used by Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and also utility companies, local authorities, housing associations, and debt collection agencies.

Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank is the market leader for online payments and currently more than 200 bill issuers, including 125 local authorities, enjoy the benefits of the web-based collection service.

BillPay is a cost effective option for organisations issuing bills, providing them with a highly effective payment collection solution without the hassle and expense of setting up and managing their own system. In addition consumers receive the benefit of paying their bills when it is convenient, from the comfort of their home, 24/7.