The HP/BEA banking solution is designed to simplify application infrastructure throughout the enterprise while extend the lifetime of IT investments. One customer, Norway's Sparebank, claimed a 12-percent increase in customer satisfaction over a two-year period with the two companies' eBanking solution.

“By blending BEA’s single, integrated application development and management platform with the cost-effective, high
performance HP environment, SpareBank 1 is geared for limitless growth," said Ketil Berg, Systems Manager, SpareBank 1 Group, one of the largest providers of financial products and services in Norway.

SpareBank 1 Group has total assets of $5.5 billion, and has increased its brand awareness steadily, to the point where the bank is now recognized as the most familiar financial brand in Norway, the company says.

The company's eBanking environment offers customers a wide range of online services, besides the typical account administration, transfers, and bill payment, the company reports. Customers can also manage their stock trading, mutual funds, life insurance, pension, and credit card, all within a self-administered, 24x7 environment.

But the eBanking channel is in its relative infancy compared with the more mature and established branch and telephone-banking environment. SpareBank 1 recognizes that to stay ahead of its competitors, it needs to develop, test, and launch new, rewarding eBanking functionality quickly and cost-effectively.