Defining the proposed factors for small business online banking: Interviewing the IT professionals

Small business customers that use electronic services are potentially more profitable than those who do not. 1 For banking and financial institutions, understanding small business customers' online behaviours and preferences will be one of the key drivers to successfully reach this segment efficiently and economically. Following a proven construct development methodology, this preliminary study completes the first steps by conducting interviews with information technology professionals. These information technology professionals were directly involved in the support of websites operated by several large banking organisations located in the southeastern United States. The information gathered from the subject group provides a foundation for the discussions as to how those organisations support, or fail to support, the delivery of electronic banking to small businesses, factors are proposed to define the construct of what constitutes successful small business online banking relationships.