Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate internet-only banks’ (IOBs) adoption by French consumers and attempt to understand the factors that influence consumers’ initial trust in this type of service. Design/methodology/approach A non-probability convenience sample of potential IOBs adopters from France was used to test a structural equation model that analyzed the antecedents of initial trust and usage intentions of IOBs. Findings The study shows that trust is a major influencer in IOBs’ adoption in France. It has also been found that consumer familiarity with internet banking, high perceived structural assurance, perceived website quality, bank reputation and relative advantage are critical factors influencing IOBs’ initial trust formation. Research limitations/implications This study shows the applicability of the initial trust-building model in the context of IOBs and underlines the importance of factors such as familiarity, reputation and perceived quality in the context of online banking services in France. Practical implications This paper provides e-banking companies with the most important factors that contribute to build the initial trust of customers. E-banks need to focus on making themselves known and promoting their brand more effectively through advertising and advocacy. Originality/value This study contributes significantly to the marketing research related to consumer trust and brand reputation, as well as to the electronic banking literature. The results show the importance of initial trust in the context of services and the main factors that influence it, including a key branding variable such as reputation. The paper also focuses on the IOBs’ adoption in France, a market understudied compared to the USA, and seeks to understand the mechanisms associated with the initial formation of French consumers’ trust toward it.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how an e-bank’s structure (click-and-mortar bank vs internet-only bank) influences the consumer’s evaluation of website quality, and to identify the most significant website features that influence online trust and lead to consumer loyalty. Design/methodology/approach A non-probability convenience sample of 476 online bank users (248 click-and-mortar and 230 internet-only bank users) was used in this study. An online survey was conducted. Structural equation modeling and multi-group analysis were used to analyze the data. Findings Findings suggest that e-trust and e-loyalty levels depend on the e-banking structure. Click-and-mortar-based online users were found to have more trust and loyalty in their online banks than internet-only bank users. Findings demonstrate that website features are evaluated differently according to the e-bank structure. Information design and interactivity are very important for internet-only banks, and their effect on online trust seems to be higher. On the other hand, website personalization was evaluated as more important for click-and-mortar banks and had a stronger impact on online trust. Practical implications To promote the trustworthiness of their websites and retain customers, internet-only banks should make the experience more tangible for users by developing a pleasant online experience. Personalization is an important variable that can enhance the consumer’s engagement with the brand. Click-and-mortar banks should enhance their interactivity by providing a continuous and consistent experience across different channels of distribution whether online or in-person and provide more interactive tools on their websites. Originality/value This study contributes significantly to the marketing research literature related to consumer trust as well as to the electronic banking literature. It is the first study to compare customers of click-and-mortar banks with customers of internet-only banks when evaluating website features. It also explores the impact of the e-bank model on the relationship between website features and online trust and customer loyalty.

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how variables like propensity to trust, website usability, social influence, customer awareness about internet-only banks (IOBs) and perceived compatibility influence customers’ initial trust formation toward IOBs’ acceptance. The model is based on the technology acceptance model, diffusion of innovation theory and theory of reasoned action. Design/methodology/approach A non-probability convenience sample of 239 IOBs’ potential adopters from France was used to test the structural equation model between initial trust antecedents and IOB’s usage intention. Findings Findings confirm the important role of trust in initiating customers’ relationship with IOBs and show that social influence, compatibility and website usability contribute the most to IOB’s initial trust formation. Indeed, it has been found that the level of consumer information about IOBs and propensity to trust have a moderate impact on consumer’s initial trust. Results revealed that there is a general lack of consumer’s awareness about IOB’s services features. Practical implications To promote the trustworthiness of their sites and services to potential consumers, IOBs should enhance WOM by using social network applications. IOBs need to develop marketing communication campaigns in which they can educate potential customers about IOB’s features. In addition, IOBs should demonstrate to their customers that IOBs’ banking system is consistent with their current lifestyle. IOBs are encouraged to develop a favorable impression by investing heavily on their website usability and information design. Originality/value This study contributes significantly to the marketing research literature related to consumer trust and electronic banking literature. Indeed, only a few marketing studies have been conducted about IOBs. The results show the role played by initial trust formation in the case of IOBs. In addition, it points out the importance of five trust cues: individual cues, knowledge cues, institutional cues, cognitive cues and social cues (social influence).

The authors integrate theories from macromarketing, economics, and sociology to develop a conceptual model assessing the effects of international trade and economic development on physical quality of life (PQOL), individual freedom, and the environment (carbon dioxide [CO2] emissions and environmental performance). The study introduces new measures of individual freedom and environmental performance to the macromarketing literature. Research hypotheses are tested on time-lagged data from 104 countries using structural equation modeling. Results suggest that international trade is associated with economic growth that enhances the well-being of people and their ‘‘visible’’ natural environment but with a deleterious impact on global warming through increased CO2 emissions. Increases in PQOL and individual freedom are associated with lower CO2 emissions and improved environmental performance. These findings have important implications for public policy makers, marketing academics, and practitioners.