Internet domain name specialist CentralNic (LON:CNIC) says the introduction of the .BANK domain name will help combat online fraud.
Today, the firm revealed that the .BANK domain names are now available through its London-based division CentralNic FinTech; this new end-part to Internet addresses is an alternative to the likes of .COM and .CO.UK forms part of a restructuring of the Internet by regulator ICANN, the group said.
More and more industries are adopting top level domains (TLDs) specific to their business types, such as .design, .college, .bar, .tickets and .host, it added.
"CentralNic FinTech will take the time to ensure that all eligible banks around the world understand how to get a .BANK domain name while they assist through every phase of the application process," said Craig Schwartz, managing director of fTLD Registry Services, which established and operates the .BANK TLD on behalf of a coalition of banks and financial services trade organisations
Ben Crawford, CentralNic's chief executive, added: "As the Internet becomes increasingly vital for the global banking industry, the .BANK top-level domain addresses a number of urgent needs.
"By making it easier for consumers and search engines to distinguish legitimate bank web sites, the .BANK designation will help combat online fraud, improve consumer protection and simultaneously reduce the burden of security costs for the banking community."
The .BANK domain has strong industry support with over 4,000 .BANK domain names already requested, and endorsers including the British Bankers Association, the American Bankers Association, the Financial Services Roundtable, the Institute of International Bankers and the International Banking Federation.