Can you say, "regulatory arbitrage"? I knew you could... Cheers, Bob Hettinga --- begin forwarded text Sender: e$@thumper.vmeng.com Reply-To: "networks@vir.com" <networks@vir.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Precedence: Bulk Date: Fri, 1 Nov 1996 11:02:33 -0500 From: "networks@vir.com" <networks@vir.com> To: Multiple recipients of <e$@thumper.vmeng.com> Subject: mbanx - 128 bit SSL transactions I just finished reading about mbanx www.mbanx.com They're a new bank (owned by the Bank of Montreal) which offers services including bill payment and account transfers using the Internet. One of the most interesting things about their service is that they only permit transactions using Netscape with 128 bit SSL. When I heard that I immediately assumed that I had to go out and buy it, but apparently they will supply it to me for free if I don't already have it (so they said when I talked to them on the phone anyway). Unfortunately, they seem to have a $13.00 a month fee, so it's no wonder they aren't worried about giving you 128 bit Netscape. It's a shame that despite the fact that branchless banking is probably saving them a lot of money on infrastructure, they still feel it's necessary to charge a premium. However, I must add that, in the information I have, it is unclear whether the $13.00 fee is standard or whether it is an option to replace transaction charges. I've got more information coming in the mail so I'll try and keep everyone posted. Alan Majer networks@vir.com --- end forwarded text ----------------- Robert Hettinga (rah@shipwright.com) e$, 44 Farquhar Street, Boston, MA 02131 USA "The cost of anything is the foregone alternative" -- Walter Johnson The e$ Home Page: http://www.vmeng.com/rah/