First Niagara Launches Free Online Bill Payment, Powered by CheckFree

Recent studies show that Americans pay more bills electronically than by mail and that online bill payment is now used by an estimated 12 million households. First Niagara expects that with the move to free online bill payment, an estimated 30-40 percent of its customer base will enroll in the free service. Since 2001, First Niagara provided its online bill pay service for free to its Relationship Checking Account customers. Today First Niagara eliminates its $5.95 online bill payment fee and all Consumer Banking customers can now pay their bills online for free. Additionally, small business banking customers will receive up to 15 online bill payments per month for free. Through the use of technology from CheckFree, First Niagara customers can now experience the convenience and control of receiving and paying electronic bills or e-bills from about 300 billers, including credit cards, utilities, telephone/cell phone companies and loan issuers. First Niagaras customers can receive and view their e-bills online and schedule payments using their checking or money market accounts. Additionally, First Niagara customers can make payments from their computers to anyone to whom they would write a check, such as individuals and small businesses. To find out what bills are available online, consumers can visit www.checkfree.com . All First Niagara online bill payment customers are protected by The CheckFree Guarantee. According to recent customer studies sponsored by CheckFree Research Services, online bill payment customers are almost 2.5 times more likely to stay at their primary financial institution and are almost 1.5 times more satisfied with their banking institution and the services it offers than those who do not utilize online banking/bill payment. Consumers who currently use online bill payment services said that the amount of time it takes them to pay bills has been reduced by one third compared to writing paper checks.