The current Maybank2u.com site which has made its presence since year 2001 will soon be replaced with a new facelift version – dubbed Maybank2u.com 2.0
Is the 2.0 suffix signifying a Web 2.0 goodie or simply means version 2 of the application release? Well, guess I’m not the right person to answer this question. Let’s walkthrough the changes spotted in the current beta release accessible at https://www.maybank2u.com.my/mbb/m2u/public/personalBanking.do
Public Site Facelift
The most significant change that a site needs, in order to present a new impression to users in quickest manner, is by revamping the UI design.
Old Maybank2u.com home page
New Maybank2u.com 2.0 home page
As claimed, the Maybank2u.com 2.0 is designed for 800px width. However, I’ve tested the new home page with 800×600 px resolution, but the layout in width doesn’t fit nicely without horizontal scroll bar.
Web 2.0 HTML Style
While the old Maybank2u.com site layout is written with plenty of <table> tags, the new Maybank2u.com 2.0 is rewritten with the Web 2.0 coding style – layout organized using <div>, buttons are written using <ul> and <li>.
The rounded-corner menu buttons at top are also created using Nifty Corners without using any image.
It also has style sheets written for mobile web browser and printer. I’ve tested Maybank2u.com 2.0 in my P1i. Though no significant mobile browser readability effort is spotted, but at least the whole site neatly flows down segment by segment without horizontal scroll bar.
Missing Banner Images
At present, the Maybank2u.com 2.0 home page has a big blank space below the top menu, which supposes to be fitted with 3 banner images.
However, these 3 images are not configured to accept HTTPS connection. Thus, being rendered as blank white space.
New Login Page
Old Maybank2u.com login page
New Maybank2u.com 2.0 login page
The presentation of error message is improved. When there’s any login authentication error, the error message is visibly shown above the username text field. In the old design, error message is shown below login button; kind of weird.
Improved Online Banking Interfaces
In general, there’s no new feature spotted in the online banking site. However, presentation of all the services is reorganized into an improved usability manner.
Old Maybank2u.com online banking landing page
Old Maybank2u.com 2.0 online banking landing page
There are descriptions for each of the functionality in the online banking site. Unlike previously when Maybank2u.com first getting its hype, many people were in doubt about what the 3rd party transfer actually means.
Maybank Windows Live Agent
Now, Maybank has employed a Windows Live Agent called Agent M, to bring up the customer relationship channels to a new level.
If you’re using Windows Live Messenger, you can add the Agent M at m.m2u@maybank.com.my. Once added, you can start posting your questions related to Maybank banking to Agent M, and hope he gives you an answer.
Bear in mind that, the Agent M is just a robot (read about Windows Live Agent), there’s no real human answering your questions. So, don’t pose silly questions in the recorded conversations 
Only Accessible via HTTPS at This Moment
At present, the Maybank2u.com 2.0 beta is parked under /mbb path. So, there’s no way to access the home page without going through HTTPS. I believe the implementation team will not enable HTTPS for public home page when Maybank2u.com 2.0 goes live, or else good luck to the loading time.
Java Behind
The underlying platform is still powered by Java (yo… say yes to Java). My guess is, the MVC framework is powered by Struts.
No Significant Web 2.0 Excitement
Besides the Web 2.0 HTML/CSS site coding, there’s no significant Web 2.0 user interaction feature spotted.
However, this is justifiable, as the online banking site will also be accessed from old browsers such as IE 5.5, which has limited asynchronous communication support in the JavaScript engine.
Don’t be surprised, I’ve seen banking institutions still having Windows 98 PCs in their environment
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