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More Financial Service Ideas of 2006

Continuing where the previous post left off, here are the remaining entries from Springwise’s Top 10 Financial Service Ideas in 2006.

Green insurance. Ecoinsurance (www.ecoinsurance.co.uk), a service provided by Co-operative Insurance, offers a 10% discount on insurance for vehicles that emit less than 100 grams of CO2 per kilometer. Co-operative invests in reforestation and renewable energy projects to offset 20% of the CO2 produced by each vehicle covered by ecoinsurance (based on an average passenger car with average annual mileage).

Ultra personalized banking. Flexi Cards (www.flexicard.com.tr), provided by Garanti Bank, allow customers to personalize the look of their bank cards and a whole lot more. When applying for a card, customers can manipulate over ten different parameters, including reward rates and types, interest rates, and card fees.

Banking for women. Raiffeisenbank Gastein (www.gastein.raiffeisen.at) is Austria's first bank designed exclusively for women. The concept is based on studies showing that women approach finances differently than men do. The bank features a lounge-like interior with a play area for children. Female employees take time to explain products and build strong relationships with customers.

Pay-as-you-go computing. Microsoft FlexGo (www.microsoft.com/whdc/flexgo) makes it easier for people with modest incomes to acquire a computer. Customers pay a portion of the purchase price up front. Computing time can be purchased only as needed, using prepaid cards. When a certain amount of computing time has been purchased, the customer owns the computer outright.

Sharing home ownership. SharedSpaces (www.sharedspaces.co.uk) is an online network designed to help co-buyers find each other. Homebuyers join forces to purchase homes they could otherwise not afford. Shared ownership reduces individual purchasing and maintenance costs, enabling users to enjoy the benefits of home ownership sooner rather than later.

Springwise has published Top 10 ideas for 2006 in these additional categories: automotive, tourism & travel, life-hacking, eco business, fashion & beauty, telecom & mobile. Look for additional categories to be added over the next few days. When ideas are good, they often adapt and spread from one industry to others.

Posted by Nelson T. on December 30, 2006 8:33 PM

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