National Bank is launching a new platform on its interactive Direct.N@t site currently accessible via the bank’s Web site at www.nbc.ca.

The technology, which was developed by Cognicase and IBM, offers several new functions, including a consolidated balance sheet, the webdoxs Internet document delivery service, and mutual fund transactions.

The consolidated balance sheet option enables clients of the National Bank or one of its subsidiaries to access information on all their accounts from a single interactive site, without having to navigate from one site to another.

The webdoxs Internet document delivery service enables clients to receive documents, such as utility bills, electronically. Participating bill issuers at this time are National Bank MasterCard, Bell Canada, Bell Mobility Cellular, Vidéotron, CIBC Visa, Royal Visa, Scotia Visa and TD Visa.

The new site also offers clients the possibility of trading their National Bank Mutual Funds without having to go through a brokerage firm. Clients can buy, sell or exchange their fund units without having to pay transaction fees. Daily updated information also lets clients monitor the performance of their funds.

With the new version of the National Bank’s Internet banking services, clients can also carry out a large number of banking transactions on their computer.

Armelle Fortin, senior manager – virtual bank at the National Bank, said that the bank’s new platform on its interactive site is ushering in a new era in Internet banking services. “This is the first in a series of moves that will allow the bank to position itself as a Canadian leader in providing financial services on the Internet and to continue the tradition of excellence that began with its launching of the first Web site in 1997,” Fortin stated.