Canadians are accessing the Internet in greater and greater number in order to use financial services.

According to ACNeilson Canada, and the eleventh edition of its annual survey of Canada’s Internet population, more than half (59%) of all Internet users currently access online financial services. This is up two points from 2004, and represents a steady increase since 2002. Growth in the use of online financial services since 2002 has been fuelled by an increase from both female and male Internet users, the report indicates.

In fact, female Internet users have been steadily closing the gap with their male counterparts since 2002. The growth in online financial services use by females over the past four years has outpaced the growth shown by male Internet users (+12 points and +5 points respectively since 2002).

Checking  account balances was a top reported online service, used by 53% of all Internet users. However, the strongest gains compared to last year’s study came in the areas of paying bills (44%) and checking credit card balances (36%), both of which increased four points over 2004, according to the report.

ACNeilson's Internet Planner report includes data, analysis and commentary highlighting potential trends and opportunities for the future of Internet use by Canadian consumers. ACNielsen, a VNU business, provides measurement and analysis of marketplace dynamics and consumer attitudes and behaviours.