Chairman Joseph Zahra said that as from December 2, customers would have the choice to bank via the internet, 24 hours a day, by phone from wherever they are in the world, or through a dedicated customer service centre.

Mr Zahra said the new channels were the result of more than two years of hard work, and they would provide more convenient ways to access BoV accounts, using the latest technology and security.

"These new channels empower customers to such a high degree that, over time, they will revolutionise the way customers conduct their banking transactions," he said.

Some 400 users are already making use of the bank's internet banking as well as other channels.

The bank is offering the complete bundle of services for Lm3 a year. Customers would be given a 'securekey', a modern handheld electronic device, and state-of-the-art information security protection.

BoV executive head of IT Victor Denaro said customers would be able to access their accounts by logging on to the bank's web- site and view their account balance, list and download transactions, transfer funds from one account to another, order statements, view encashed cheques on screen, effect payment to third parties, make bill payments to major service providers, set a standing order, report lost or stolen cards, order cheque books, foreign currency and traveller's cheques, calculate loan repayments and ask for information on charges and fees.

Customers may opt to view the information either in English or Maltese.