PORTLAND – Banknorth Group Inc. announced Thursday it has introduced online banking for its more than 1 million customers in six Northeast states.

The Portland-based banking and financial services company said the launch would enable customers to conduct banking transactions online 24 hours a day and pay bills electronically.

“It’s part of a major e-commerce initiative we made a commitment to last year,” said William J. Ryan, Banknorth chairman, president and chief executive officer.

Banknorth has banking subsidiaries in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York, including Peoples.