Sir, - Your Editorial of March 1st rightly lauds Telecom Eireann's decision to position itself as a player in emerging e-commerce initiatives. However, it also suggests that the major Irish banks are unwilling or unable to support similar initiatives. Not true.
AIB acquires several million transactions a year over the Internet, all through the SSL protocol, a current industry security standard. We work as a key partner with a number of domestic and international business customers, including America OnLine. We handle transactions over the Internet in many different currencies and are one of the few banks in Europe with this capability.
AIB is constantly working to improve the range and scope of the products we provide to our customers. We have developed an extremely successful Internet banking service, and a range of other e-commerce products targeted at the personal and commercial sectors. We have established a number of strategic partnerships with companies operating in related business areas.
E-commerce is a new and exciting business arena. There are many complex issues to be resolved before its full potential can be realised. AIB Bank is fully committed to the sector from all business perspectives. We will continue to work with our customers and all relevant organisations to successfully position Ireland at the centre of e-commerce. - Yours, etc., Billy Andrews,
General Manager, Electronic Banking. AIB Bank, Bankcentre, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.