(ATM) card holders using their cards to pay telephone, electricity and cable television bills a week from today.

There is no charge for the new service.

The bank has been testing the service in an on-going pilot programme with its staff for months, ensuring that the service runs as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Once fully tested next week Wednesday, the Bill Payment facility will be available to all BankCardPlus card holders.

To be eligible for the service, customers must fill in a bill payment application form that is available as of today at any Butterfield's Bank branch or the card services department, 3rd floor of the Head Office building.

Mr. Wendell Emery, senior vice president, retail, said, "At the Bank of Butterfield we strive to ensure that our clients' needs are fully addressed.

We've introduced this facility in direct response to client requests, as voiced in recent customer surveys.'' Mr. Emery added that the bill payment service will offer a greater convenience for customers, making the payment of bills much easier in this electronic age.

Cross town rival, Bank of Bermuda launches the same service for its customers today.

Butterfield's Bank officials said that a number of other special services are still under review and will eventually be made available to customers.