Mortgagebot LLC, the online mortgage spinoff from M&I, has introduced an online widget for its clients (see Fairwinds CU version inset). The widget allows users to keep current mortgage rates visible on their desktop.

Typically, it would appeal primarily to someone currently in the market for a mortgage or refi where an 1/8 difference in rate can add up to thousands over the life of the loan. 

So far, seven of Mortgagebot's 600 clients have posted the widget at Yahoo's widget center; however, many more offer the service through their websites.

The first widget posted on Yahoo was uploaded Aug. 28 for Northwest Savings Bank and has been downloaded 711 times. In total, the Mortgagebot widget has been downloaded 2,200 times.

• Northwest Savings Bank (national), 711 downloads since Aug. 28
• Fairwinds Credit Union (Florida), 215 downloads since Sept. 27
• Vista Federal Credit Union (California), 330 downloads since Sept. 27
• Gateway Community Bank (Iowa, Nebraska), 275 downloads since Oct. 2
• Northwest Bank (national), 351 downloads
  since Oct. 3 
• Macon Bank (North Carolina), 216 downloads
  since Oct. 12
• Riverside Bank of Florida, 127 downloads
  since Oct. 12

For more information on creating a desktop presence, read Online Banking Report #85, Grabbing Desktop Mindshare. Also see our previous coverage here.