Looks like, some real money has started rolling in virtual world of finance.

Many financial institutions large or small are rushing to open virtual branches, offering higher savings yields and lower interest rates to entice consumers to switch or stay.

As per reports, it is estimated that nearly 80 million US adult Internet users will conduct at least some of their banking activities online this year, an increase of 9.5% over 2006. And this number would reach 101 million by 2011.

With the new change in trend, financial institutions from banks to insurance companies are trying to move more business online, where the operating costs are lower and profit margins higher.