The UK Payments Association (Apacs) has found that more than five times as many people are accessing their bank accounts online than were eight years ago.

Its research revealed that over 21 million people were using online banking in 2007, compared to less than 3.5 million in 2000.

Reflecting on the findings, the trade body's director of communications, Sandra Quinn, predicted the figures to grow further in coming years.

"We expect more and more people to use online banking to make payments rather than just checking balances, particularly in light of the recent introduction of the new faster payments service," she said.

Apacs also found that online banking fraud had dropped, but Ms Quinn advised consumers to be aware of scams involving emails falsely claiming to be sent from banks.

Last month the association found that £354 billion was spent on plastic cards in the UK in 2007, with 62 per cent of that going on debit cards.


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