E-commerce has skyrocketed in recent years, but banks have remained wary of the opportunity. Since customer relations and employee welfare are important to banks, they have tried to steer clear of the Internet as a source of revenue. According to a Massachusetts research firm, however, 8.9 million loans and credit cards will be obtained over the Internet by 2003. The recent influx of new businesses has been snatching customers off the Internet before they can get to the bank; banks are now trying to protect their turf by joining the e-commerce community. However, banks are now faced with the decision to develop in-house online communications or to partner with other novices in the field, vying for access to new customers. Through either in-house efforts or partnerships, banks will need to develop integrating technology that will eventually eliminate human involvement in lending transactions to improve speed and efficiency.