Scotiabank will be the premier banking partner on Microsoft's portal MSN.Ca.

Consumers who bank online will have access to personalized content and services via a specialized Scotiabank portal site. Businesses will have one contact point for developing e-commerce solutions using Scotiabank's knowledge of financial transactions and Microsoft's technology expertise.

"Our partnership with Microsoft signals a move into the next generation of electronic banking services, dedicated to developing personalized financial Internet applications for Canadians, and customized e-commerce solutions," said Albert Wahbe, Scotiabank's executive vice-president, electronic banking.

Consumers will be able to combine news and information with their personal financial information from Scotiabank to create a personalized online financial web page.

For Canadian businesses, Scotiabank and Microsoft Canada will deliver e-commerce services, including site design, merchant payment products, site hosting, and electronic marketing services through Microsoft Canada and MSN LinkExchange.