| BUSINESSWEEK ONLINE : NOVEMBER 8, 1999 ISSUE | ||||||||
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| FINANCE
The Centurion Takes on the Web BLUE CREDIT CARD ''Smart card'' works with PC-linked card reader to ease online shopping PROS: Will ease reluctant users into Internet shopping. Chip on card can fuel merchant tie-ins. Strong security features. CONS: Low card interest-0% for six months, then 9.99% to 15.99%--make profitability doubtful. AmEx BROKERAGE Cheap or free online trading PROS: Keeps existing customers from straying to online brokers; draws new customers to buy mutual funds, insurance, and financial plans. CONS: Loss leader; AmEx planners will have to sell hard to offset free trading. MEMBERSHIP B@NKING Online bank offers top CD rates PROS: Creates opportunities to cross-sell charge cards, insurance, and planning. CONS: High interest rates likely to draw fickle, rate-hungry depositors who'll desert AmEx for the next high-rate offer. DATA: AMERICAN EXPRESS CO., BUSINESS WEEK _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ |
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RELATED ITEMS Don't Leave Home without a Freebie TABLE: The Centurion Takes on the Web INTERACT E-Mail to Business Week Online | |||
