While no decision has been made in terms of which OEM will supply the bank with desktops, HP secured the NAB's server-side custom in October.

Asked what guidance Microsoft had given the bank in terms of when a full version of Vista would be available, Burgin described the situation as "an ongoing conversation", but with a strong to preference to get XP bedded down before attempting any further work.

In terms of negotiating maximum value from Microsoft's licensing regime, Burgin confirmed the bank had evaluated Linux as a potential alternative.

"We have a good relationship with Microsoft. It continues to develop. If Microsoft could shrink wrap [integration] ...that would be fantastic. But I think that's a utopia. I don't know whether that aspiration will be realized."

Burgin declined to specify the cost of the upgrade.