E-Banking Security Dilemmas of Users Living In Rural Areas – The Case of Konin County in Wielkopolska

The aim of the study was to identify selected threats to e-banking security in the opinion of rural residents, on the case of Konin County. Available e-banking services were analysed against the background of cybercrime threats. The research was conducted in the year 2019. In the spatial scope, it concerned Wielkopolska and the territory of the Konin County, which consists of 14 municipalities, including 5 urban-rural municipalities and 9 rural municipalities. Using the method of diagnostic survey, on a sample of almost 400 people invited to the study, the results were collected. The majority of respondents were rural residents. The survey questionnaire consisted of 22 closed questions and information data. Suggested answers were programmed according to a five-point Likert scale. The study used Pearson’s chi-square statistical test of independence, comparative and descriptive analysis. Calculations were performed in MS Excel. As a result, a relatively high level of interest in e-banking among the residents of Konin County was indicated. More than 90% of respondents, primarily rural residents, use online banking. This is especially applicable to retail payments, as well as successive control of the household budget. E-banking’s usability is mostly determined by: time saving, a widespread availability of services and convenience. Despite the awareness of risks, the level of security of online banking inspires confidence among respondents. Therefore, social and legal responsibility of the banking sector for electronic transaction security is recommended. This is justified by the majority of respondent opinions that traditional banking will be eliminated in the future by e-commerce tools, including e-banking.