Webwatch

The pace of development in internet banking is picking up rapidly. Halifax has launched Intelligent Finance (IF), which promises a radical approach to money management as well the latest technology. IF, headed by Jim Spowart, who took Direct Line into the savings market and Standard Life into mortgages, is applying for a patent on the software used in its product.

The service will be available from July, and aims to cut borrowing costs and maximise returns on savings not only by offering competitive rates, but by offsetting savings against borrowings. IF will deduct any savings balance you have from borrowings, such as mortgages and credit cards, charging interest only on the balance. One innovation is that it will be possible to have a zero per cent mortgage. Those whose savings outstrip a mortgage - as may be the case with older customers - will be charged nothing for their borrowing.

The account is billed as an internet product, but it will also be possible to operate it by telephone and by the new wap technology mobile phones. Free Internet-compatible wap phones are on offer to the first 150,000 customers who agree to have their salaries credited to the accounts. To register for IF call 0845 609 4343, or visit the website.

Abbey National is offering its existing banking and savings products on the Internet, with a few bells and whistles added. For example, it will allow customers who want to transfer their current account from another bank to Abbey to request the service online; Abbey will switch all the direct debits and standing orders. You can register at Abbey branches, cash machines or by calling 0845 765 4321. Still to come from Abbey however, is Cahoot, a separate Internet bank account promising to 'target a new customer segment'.

Sharedealers can buy and sell shares at the flat rate of £10 from tomorrow through online execution-only service iDealing. The company plans to maintain low charges by keeping overheads to a minimum. This means that while other sharedealing services are fighting to offer the most comprehensive content packages on their sites, iDealing provides a stripped-down service with links to other sources of information, although it does include portfolio analysis.

It is starting with just 12 employees - a fact that may alarm sharedealers who have experienced delays and system failures with other, better staffed online services. But Foster Bowman, managing director of iDealing, says his staff will easily cope with up to 15,000 dealing accounts. iDealing offers real-time transactions on a nominee account basis. In addition to the £10 flat fee, customers must pay a quarterly account charge of £5. A minimum of £500 is required to open an account.

Charles Schwab is offering a saving of up to 40 per cent to online traders after reorganising its dealing structure. Minimum commission for Net trading is now £12.

DLJdirect , another online broker, will refund stamp duty on UK share trades - 0.5 per cent per trade - for all new customers for a month from opening an account.

E*Trade is offering a commission-free trading day on 26 May. You must register by 20 May.

Business and investment information service Hemington Scott is offering UK company information free to all users until the end of June. This service, Business Plus, normally costs £10 a month plus VAT.

Such is the diversity of Internet business that it is even possible to visit a site specially for motorcycle insurance. Bennetts, a specialist in this type of cover, is offering to quote the best rate from 15 insurers through its new site, which also has an online payment facility.