BANKDIRECT LAUNCHES NATIONAL INTERNET BANK
Online bank redefines value in personal banking
DALLAS (June 16, 1999) - BankDirect announced today the launch of its
Internet banking web site at www.bankdirect.com. BankDirect is an independent Internet banking division of
Dallas-based Texas Capital Bank. BankDirect will provide no-fee, high interest
checking, savings and money market accounts and free bill pay service to
consumers nationwide. BankDirect is also touting increased customer benefits
including convenient online services, enhanced customer service and higher
interest rates.
Jody Grant, Chairman and CEO of both Texas Capital Bancshares Inc. and
BankDirect turned to his former company, EDS, to help establish BankDirect. "We
are especially delighted to have EDS as our information technology partner,"
Grant said. "EDS, which provides support for all of BankDirect's banking
platforms, is a major shareholder of Texas Capital Bancshares." Prior to
launching BankDirect, Mr. Grant was Executive Vice President and CFO of EDS.
BankDirect plans to invest its acquired deposits via traditional lending
capabilities available through Texas Capital Bank. "Our marketing strategy is
designed to gather deposits from across the country very rapidly," said Rose
Hultgren, president of BankDirect. "We believe that our experience and
established ability to deploy these assets give BankDirect a significant
advantage over our Internet-only banking competitors," she said.
BankDirect's "no branch" model also provides a distinct advantage over
traditional banks. "For the most part, traditional banks rely on branch
locations to generate and conduct business, but the Internet revolution has
forced them to offer online
banking services to their customers," Hultgren said. "These banks cannot
effectively compete for online-only customers because they have too much
invested in the branch location system; BankDirect is targeting that online-only
customer," she said.
"BankDirect is the proud realization of a vision driven by research and
creativity. We did a lot of homework to make sure BankDirect gives consumers the
specific online services and features they want," Grant said.
"Of the consumers we polled, 90% identified 24-hour customer service as a
'most desired' feature from an Internet bank," said Rose Hultgren. "We believe
we have raised the bar for customer service by offering a 24-hour, seven day a
week live support hotline. It differentiates BankDirect in the online
marketplace," she said.
BankDirect also delivers more convenience by enabling customers to check
their balances and perform banking activities 24 hours a day. "Our research
showed that today's customer wants a better alternative to the corporate banking
giants," Hultgren said. "We give them the ability to bank on their own terms -
anytime, anywhere."
Another incentive to consumers offered by BankDirect is the ability to earn
higher interest rates. By operating without the need or expense of
brick-and-mortar branch offices and staff, BankDirect offers consumers 3.25% on
checking accounts and 5.25% on money market accounts -- significantly higher
rates than those offered by traditional banks. And the accounts have no monthly
maintenance fees.
Here's how it works: customers bank electronically. Deposits are made via
direct deposit, wire transfer or can be mailed directly to BankDirect via
postage-paid envelopes. Cash withdrawals are made through ATM machines or by
cashing account checks. Bills can be paid directly through BankDirect's free online bill paying service.
Customers can even open accounts with a credit card.
Virtual banking, according to many experts, is positioned to revolutionize
the banking industry. In 1998, 6.9 million households were banking online. By the year 2000,
that number is expected to grow to 16 million; by 2002, 24.2 million. Many
expect the online banking surge to rival the current online brokerage craze.
BankDirect is being marketed through an aggressive advertising and
promotional program that features online, print and radio advertising utilizing
the tagline "BankDirect -- Easy. Money."
"BankDirect will be a major influence on Texas Capital Bank's growth
strategy," Grant said. "We're very well capitalized, and BankDirect provides a
very efficient means to build a national banking presence."
"Given the anticipated growth for this market, our commitment to customer
focused services, and live, around-the-clock support, we believe we're in a
unique position to emerge as a leader in this new era of banking," Hultgren
said.
BankDirect is the national Internet
banking division of Texas Capital Bank, a Dallas-based bank that
provides banking services to businesses and high net worth individuals. Texas
Capital Bank is privately owned and operated by the holding company, Texas
Capital Bancshares, Inc. BankDirect is located on the World Wide Web at
www.bankdirect.com.
Contact Information:
Rose Hultgren
BankDirect
214-932-6690