MSFDC’s Web site does a good job explaining their approach, so take a trip to www.msfdc.com as soon as you can spare 15 minutes. The Web includes four electronic bill presentment mock-ups: a mortgage statement, an electric utility bill, a cell phone bill, and the credit card statement shown below.

Summary Page: MSFDC divides the screen into three areas using “invisible” frames (no borders):

1. Biller’s logo and advertising message runs across the top of the screen.
2. Navigational menu is on the left.
3. Statement detail is in the middle frame.

Itemized Purchases: This screen contains the statement detail. Since the Web provides far more statement “real estate” than a paper form, billers will be able to present information in a much more readable format using colors and other graphical clues. Statements may also contain promotional messages and offers from the biller or its marketing partners. This could be an attractive advertising medium for the merchants whose charges are itemized on the current statement.

Finance Charges: On this screen the issuer details APR and finance charge calculations. Again, with more real estate to work with, issuers can do a better job explaining the detailed calculations, and provide links for more information. Issuers can also make promotional rate offers from this screen.

Terms and Conditions: This screen provides the “back of the statement” legal and regulatory fine print. Links can be imbedded into the text to send users to the issuer’s Web site for clarification on any term.

Contact: Bryce Hausmann is Business Development Manager at Microsoft, 206.936.4091, bryceha@microsoft.com.