Enhanced on-line capabilities will make banking from home even easier, according to Firstar officials.

The banking company announced this week that its customers will be able to connect to Microsoftr Money 98 software through its Web site at www.firstar.com. With the new connection, transactions that customers make on-line will automatically be entered into their personal finance computer program.

John Russell, market president for Ames, said this connection would save time for clients.

“Let’s say you pay your bills with the Internet,” Russell said. “Normally you’d pay your bills, and then you’d have to reload the information into your Microsoftr Money personal finance program.

“By paying your bills [on the Firstar Web site], it automatically does that,” he said.

On-line banking features currently offered include loan applications, account transfers, on-line brokerage, bill paying and account balance inquiries.

“[Customers have] 24-hour access to personal finances,” Russell said.

The connection to Microsoftr Money is made possible through the Open Financial Exchange specification. OFX is a messaging format designed for the exchange of electronic financial data over the Internet, according to a press release.

Jason Stone, alternative delivery manager for Firstar, said Quicken’s next release will also have the OFX certification.

Russell said he expected an increase in the use of the on-line banking because of Microsoftr Money’s popularity, especially among the Iowa State community.

“We do know that with the university population and the student population, we do have higher-than-normal usage,” he said.

Firstar has offered basic on-line banking since June 1997, Stone said.

Russell said there have not been any security problems in the Ames area during that time, but it is an issue the company is always aware of.

“There’s actually less fraud with electronic transactions than paper transactions,” he said. “With [an ATM card], you have the risk of someone losing their purse or billfold. With the Internet, you don’t actually have a physical card or paper transaction.”

Stone said the OFX certification was another step for increased security.

“Security continues to be a hot topic with the Internet,” he said. “We always want our customers to know that is our No. 1 priority.”