MADISON, WI—Credit union members who use online banking services are definitely interested in account

aggregation, according to a study released by CUNA & Affiliates (CUNA), and NFO WorldGroup Financial Services. The

study shows four of ten online banking members are interested in aggregation, a technology that enables consumers

to view their online financial accounts and information at a single location on the Internet.

Awareness, interest and use of online account aggregator services is just one chapter in the new 75-page

research report entitled Internet Account Aggregators—Threats & Opportunities. Other chapters include an

overview of online aggregation technology, the one-stop shopping concept, a detailed demographic and financial

service use profile of current users and those interested in the service, and strategies and implications for

credit unions to consider.

Two-percent of member households (roughly 840,000) say they are currently using online aggregation services, and

an additional 12%, or 5 million member households, are both online and interested in account aggregator services.

Estimates of the current market suggest that current aggregator service use is less than that reported by survey

respondents—somewhere in the 400,000—500,000 member household range.

"It looks like there is some confusion about what online account aggregation consists of," says Vicki Joyal,

CUNA’s vice president of Market Research & Information. "The difference between reported and estimated actual

account ownership suggests that members need more information about account aggregation—what it is, how it works,

its benefits and its drawbacks."

According to Katy Slater, vice president of Consumer Information Services for NFO WorldGroup Financial

Services, "although current use of aggregation services is low, awareness and interest are substantial enough that

credit unions should consider the feasibility of this service offering. There is clearly a market in which to sell

a robust aggregation service."

Given that an additional 5 million online member households are interested in account aggregation services, the

market is sure to grow. In fact, TowerGroup estimates that the aggregator marketplace will reach 4.5 million by

2005.

There are obvious service and revenue opportunities to providing online account aggregation services. For

example, access to a member’s entire financial services portfolio presents tremendous cross-selling opportunities.

But the potential loss of your credit union brand and Web site traffic are obvious threats to those who

choose not to employ aggregator services.

"Credit unions will definitely need to decide what role they want to play in the online account aggregation

marketplace," says Joyal. "This report provides background information and identifies potential target markets, so

it’s an excellent tool for those credit unions looking to expand member use of their aggregation service as well as

a good starting point for those interested in becoming aggregators. In addition, this report provides critical

information for those that have yet to make a decision on offering an aggregation service."

To order Internet Account Aggregators—Threats & Opportunities, call CUNA Customer Service at

800/356-8010, ext. 4157, and ask for stock number 23280-QEA. Single copies are $295 each for credit unions, with

multiple copy discounts available. The report price for non-credit unions is $395 each.

With its network of affiliated state credit union leagues, CUNA serves more than 90 percent of America’s 10,700

credit unions, which are owned by more than 80 million consumer members. Credit unions are not-for-profit

cooperatives providing affordable financial services to people from all walks of life. For more information, visit

the CUNA and Affiliates’ Web site at

http://www.cuna.org.

NFO WorldGroup Financial Services, formerly PSI Global, is a marketing and consulting firm focused exclusively

on financial services. They have provided unique "voice of the consumer" insight and analysis across all types of

market research for more than 30 years. NFO WorldGroup (NYSE: NFO) is the largest custom marketing research firm in

North America and is among the top three research organizations in the world. NFO WorldGroup is a member of The

Interpublic Group of Companies.