The following online facilities are offered as standard by most banks:

- View transactions

- Check account balance

- Make a payment

- View standing orders

- Bill-payment service

However, there are still a number of distinguishing features that set apart the various online banking services available in the Irish market, which are summarised below.

RaboDirect

- RaboDirect is Ireland's first online bank, and remains the only Irish bank to offer a "100% no fraud online guarantee";

- Customers are provided with a Digipass, a small handheld device that generates a unique access code which expires within 36 seconds. According to RaboDirect, this is far more secure than the static codes used by many other banks;

- It offers an interest rate of 5% (variable CAR) on savings from €1 up to €10,000.

Bank of Ireland

- Introducing a number of new online facilities over the next few months, such as the ability to make international payments and to set up standing orders;

- Customers can customise their statements and perform cheque searches.

AIB

- Online customers can make international payments;

- Customers can buy and sell shares online through Goodbody stockbrokers;

- Customers can set up, amend and cancel standing orders online without having to contact a customer service adviser;

- Customers are provided with a "code card" which has 100 one-time codes, as an extra security measure.

First Active

- Recently launched a purely online account, First Active eSavings, which currently offers a market-leading rate (5.22% variable AER) on deposits from €1 to €15,000;

- Third-party funds transfers can be set up online.

Halifax

- Customers can apply for a current account online;

- E-mail confirmation sent to customers when payments and standing orders are set up online, as added security layer;

- Customers can change statement frequency and personal details online

National Irish Bank

- Customers can apply to receive text alerts to let them know if their pay cheque has been deposited or when their balance falls below a certain level, or if a payment or transfer cannot take place because of insufficient funds.

Permanent TSB

- Free text alerts to notify internet banking customers of major transactions

Ulster Bank

- Customers can create and cancel standing orders online;

- Purely online eSaver account also available.

Northern Rock

- Demand Online is a savings account operated through the internet and is currently offering a rate of 4.5% (variable AER). The minimum opening balance is €1,000.