Online Finance Awards 2003 Shortlist

Increased awareness of investor's needs, but still little consensus on the best way to tempt investor's online is one of the key findings of this year's Online Finance Award judging. The judging panel has completed initial assessment of entries to come up with this year's shortlist (see below). In particular, the panel of judges was looking for:

- Overall use of technology, functionality and site tools
- Support and service levels on offer to users
- Comprehensiveness of products featured on the site
- Levels of security
- Clarity and innovation in both site design and functionality
- Ease of use for intended users
- Appropriateness of site for target market

Now in its fourth year, the Online Finance Awards are an established part of the financial calendar. Commenting on the entries, Deborah Benn, chair of the judging panel commented: "There were some excellent entries this year, which reflect well the current sophistication of investors' needs. However, we still found wide variances in certain categories, which suggests there is still little consensus as to the best way to attract investors online." The result was smaller shortlists in categories where judges found clearer definition between those that, in the opinion of the judges, had got it right and those that had not. Certain categories, such as financial trading, investment and sites aimed at independent financial advisers, showed a more uniform approach. "These sites were more difficult to judge due to the high levels of excellence, and where it was difficult keeping the shortlists down to a manageable number," said Benn. Shortlisted entries will now be assessed further to decide the winner and highly commended entries in each category. The results will be announced at a special Award's dinner on Thursday, 27th November 2003 at the Victoria Park Plaza in London. For information on the dinner contact Mike Jones on 0207 968 4530 [email protected]. Further information on the Awards is available at www.onlinefinanceawards.co.uk.

SHORTLIST ONLINE FINANCE AWARDS 2003

Best Fund Supermarket b2b
Selestia
Cofunds
Fidelity FundsNetwork

Best Fund Supermarket b2c
Ample
Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers
Fidelity Investments

Best Offshore Provider b2c
GAM
Invesco Perpetual
Norwich Union Int.
Prudential

Best Online Bank and Building Society Site b2c
Barclays Bank
Coventry Building Society
Egg
Smile

Best Online Financial Adviser Site b2b
Friends Provident
Invesco Perpetual
Scottish Widows
Selestia
Standard Life
The Exchange

Best Online Financial Trading Site b2c
City Index
Deal4Free
Financial Spreads
Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers
IG Index
TradeIndex

Best Online Investment Provider b2b
Fidelity
Gam
New Star
Prudential
Selestia
Standard Life

Best Online Life & Pensions Provider b2b
Friends Provident
Prudential
Scottish Widows
Sipp Centre
Standard Life

Best Online Mortgage Provider
Halifax
Mortgage Express
Charcolonline
Coventry Building Society

Best Share Dealing Site b2c
Barclays Stockbrokers
Comdirect
Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers

Panel of Judges:

Chair: Deborah Benn, financial journalist
Nicola Mitchell, managing director of Mitchell Moneypenny
Rory Curran, managing director of 1st Software
David Lascelles, founder and co-director of the Centre for Study of Financial Innovation
Denise Holland, marketing manager, IBM UK Finance Section
Peter Ballard, managing partner at Foolproof
Ken Scott, ceo of Intellexis
Nick Baker, director Egg Design
Martin Fox, director Egg Design
Peter Massey, founder director of Budd UK
Julie Henderson, editor of IFAonline
IFAonline