Online mortgages are becoming increasingly popular. As more and more people gain access to the Net, the lenders have been trying to catch up with demand. The drubbing bank stocks have had this year has also added a big impetus to this drive. Analysts across the world were pointing to the relatively unsophisticated Web sites many banks had at the beginning of this year and the banks were not slow to take heed.

However, Web-based business is still a very small part of any lender's portfolio. Many potential customers are not yet confident enough about issues such as security to provide their details online. In addition, many borrowers seem to like the comfort of face-to-face interaction.

It is virtually certain that over the coming years, more and more business will be conducted over the Net. The sheer convenience of being able to apply for, say, a loan, without having to leave your desk, or indeed lift a phone, is likely to prove overwhelming to increasingly IT-literate homebuyers.

According to Bank of Ireland, the Internet mortgage market could be worth £1.5 billion by 2005, with 75 per cent of all mortgage choices being influenced in some way by the Net. So, how do the Web sites of the Irish lenders shape up?

Overall, the Irish Internet mortgage market is not as advanced as its UK counterpart. There, "call me now" buttons, advice pages, questions and the ability to make a full application over the Net are relatively common.

Perhaps the bank that has moved quickest is AIB. It has tried to overcome the problem of face-to-face interaction by launching a "call now" button on its site, which allows potential borrowers to ask to be called back at a specific time.

It has also just introduced WAP technology, allowing mobile phones to access the site. Other features include economics advice from AIB and a jargon buster field, which explains terms such as gazumping as well as advice on buying a home from AIB's subsidiary, Goodbody Stockbrokers and various estate agents.

It is also one of the few sites where advisers have Net access and can see your application as you proceed through it should you need help.

Bank of Ireland's site is less advanced. It focuses more on the Net being an adjunct to its branch business. The site allows a full application, has information, mortgage quotations and a range of other services.

ICS, the pioneer of Internet mortgages in Ireland, is still further ahead than its parent company. Its site will be introducing WAP capability at the end of this month.

Irish Permanent is planning a relaunch of its site. At the moment, online mortgage approval, a repayments calculator and application form are all available.

EBS's site is also undergoing a major overhaul. At the moment it is basically an information site.

First Active's Irish site only really provides information, an application form and a calculator. It is planning a major overhaul.

Irish Mortgage Corporation's site is very useful for anyone considering taking out a mortgage. It provides a broad range of information on the rates available from all the different lenders, as well as a calculator for all the various rates.