Banking on business: banks do more than take business deposits.

• Author: D'Oro, Rachel

When it comes to money management, Alaska businesses don't have to go it alone.

Behind every new deal, behind every expense and all the lonely accounting hours, is a financial institution ready to ease the growing pains and smooth the way for expansion.

Banks are eager to be your equal partner. And increasingly, they've made their business-related products and services hard to resist.

The offerings are vast and often versatile, particularly at larger institutions such as KeyBank, National Bank of Alaska, First National Bank of Anchorage and Northrim Bank. Most credit unions work only with individual clients although some, like Alts Federal Credit Union in Sitka and Mat-Su Valley Federal Credit Union, have limited commercial services.

Banks are the best bet, however, for businesses that want a full range of services. Here, then, are a few of the many goods that some of Alaska's largest bank's provide, beside the expected commercial loans, checking accounts and escrow services. Call them for more specific information:

Online Banking

Computers have made it possible to make fewer trips to your local branch. Most banks offer a full range of dial-up online services you can access 'round the clock from home or from the office to move funds between accounts, initiate wire transfers, check balances, and pay bills and federal business taxes.

KeyBank offers business-friendly PC software called KeyView. The program lets clients make a range of transactions, view account information, place stop payments - and download data for reports, research and audits. The bank's Web page (www.key.com) is more suited for individual and small business accounts, although KeyBank is introducing Internet access for commercial clients, says Brian Nerland, senior vice president of Commercial Banking in Alaska.

Northrim Bank, which acquired eight Alaska-based Bank of America branches this year, has developed an Internet banking service to replace its dial-up service. Northrim On-Line, for individual clients, and Business OnLine, for commercial clients, are menu-driven systems that are easier to use, bank officials say.

"PC banking has served its purpose but we're ready to move on," says Caroline Jennings, manager of sales and service. "This Internet service is really cool, and totally Northrim. It gives customers more of a choice. And they're not limited to bank hours."

Lockbox Services

Need help processing a high volume of customer payments? Many banks will set up a...