Fun and finance are gaining in popularity among Internet surfers, according to the quarterly Consumer Internet Confidence Index published by UK bank Barclays.
The Index - which charts people's use of and confidence in the Internet - has risen for the second consecutive quarter, from 100 points in December 2000 to 104.7 points in February 2001 and to 105.1 points in May 2001.
Research for the Index was carried out by NOP Solutions and finds the number of people using the Internet to carry out their banking increased from 23 per cent in December 2000 to 31 per cent today. Use of Internet for games playing has also risen from 29 per cent in December 2000 to 35 per cent today.
The research indicates that once people are comfortable banking online their usage remains stable - 18 per cent of Internet users says they bank oiver the Web at least once a week. This figure has remained relatively constant over the past six months, says Barclays.
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