Magazine launches www.NorthWesternFinancialReview.com

A new website is now adding more value to NorthWestern Financial Review subscriptions. The regional magazine launched a new web site on Dec. 1 at www.NorthWesternFinancialReview.com. The magazine also began publishing a weekly e-newsletter on Thursday afternoons..NorthWestern Financial Review, which has been a leader among print magazines since it was created through the merger of Northwestern Banker and Commercial West 20 years ago, is now offering substantially more news, opinion and data through electronic media.."Bankers will find the web site intuitive and uncluttered," commented publisher Tom Bengtson. "The site enhances the value we offer current NorthWestern Financial Review subscribers. The internet gives us an opportunity to showcase the magazine before a vastly expanded audience.".The central feature of the web site is the NorthWestern Financial Review blog, made up of editorial commentary from the magazine staff. Writers Tony Telschow and Bengtson contribute to the blog several times per week, providing a running commentary on industry events ranging from conference coverage to interesting bank advertisements. The blog is also the place for industry dialogue. Begun in early November, the blog has already attracted several comments..The web site also includes basic information for readers and advertisers. Job hunters might appreciate the site's classified advertisements. Readers who wish to nominate colleagues for any of the magazine's popular honors editions will find background information including lists of previous winners. Each year, the magazine honors bankers with Banker of the Year (Jan. 15), Rising Star (June 15 and July 15) and Outstanding Women in Banking (Nov. 15) features..Paying subscribers receive special value from the web site. A "premium services" portion of the site provides access to magazine archives, quarterly state ranking information, and free classified ad placement on the web site. Subscribers simply click on the desired service and enter their subscriber number (located on the top line of their magazine mailing label) where prompted.."I am particularly pleased to be able to offer these services to our loyal, paying subscribers," Bengtson said. "The state lists are very popular with our readers and now with the technology of the web, we can offer quarterly data for each of the 14 states we cover.."In addition, we know people will find the electronic library with its accompanying search function to be very useful," Bengtson said..Web site viewers who want access to these premium services are welcome to purchase a subscription; the annual subscription rate remains $94 per year..In conjunction with the new web site, NorthWestern Financial Review has begun publishing a weekly e-newsletter. It is free to anyone who signs up with their e-mail address on the NorthWestern Financial Review web site. The sign-up box is located in the upper right corner of the home page..Each newsletter links to the best industry articles published during the last week elsewhere on the web. NorthWestern Financial Review's editorial team scours the web, including the blogosphere, government and regulatory sites, news sites, think tanks and more in search of thought-provoking, informative or simply entertaining material related to banking.."Through the magazine, e-newsletter, web site and blog, NorthWestern Financial Review is able to offer a comprehensive package of industry information tailored to community bankers in the Upper Midwest," commented Bengtson. "Each component complements the others. By utilizing new media, NorthWestern Financial Review is able to add additional meaning to its motto: More information, more opinions, more often.