"Internet-only bank offering online banking services. "
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"first-e the internet bank has now closed its internet banking channel in the UK. This followed a decision by Banque d'Escompte, which operated in the UK under the "first-e the internet bank" trade mark, to concentrate on its core French market where it has operated successfully since 1936.
UK customers were notified on Sep 6 2001 by e-mail, in accordance with first-e's standard Terms and Conditions and given assistance to either close their accounts completely or transfer their funds into an investment account which was exclusively negotiated with Self Trade, the UK subsidiary of Direkt Anlage Bank.
The accounts and balances of the small number of customers who did not contact us or make alternative arrangements are securely held by Banque d'Escompte in Paris (Swift banking code ESCBFRPP). Of course this money remains the property of customers who can claim it at any time. The transfer of the remaining balances and subsequent account closure must be requested by signed letter or fax which may be downloaded in either PDF or Word format. We regret that transfer and/or account closure requests by e-mail cannot be accepted.
It is no longer possible to access first-e accounts on-line and payment tools such as debit cards and cheques book have been withdrawn.
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