Cash machine network Link and systems integrator Morse are preparing to launch their mobileATM service in the UK.

The service will provide mobile phone users with on demand access to personal banking information.

Alastair Lukies, managing director of mobileATM, says the new service represents an important milestone in the evolution of electronic banking.

‘The ATM is the most common interface used to access banking services worldwide. In order to make sure that many people benefit from this service we have simply replicated this user experience on the mobile handset,’ he said.

Integration with a number of UK banks and building societies is ongoing, but mobileATM promise the service will be up and operating before the end of the year.

According to LINK, all users will need to do is register and download a mobile application to their phone to get services including balance enquiries and mobile top ups. Other services are expected to follow.

'Future information services will be along the lines of the ATM,' Lukies says.

'They will include things like recent transactions, mini-statement type services, and text alert services that will give the consumer the chance to request things like notification when they are in a certain distance of their overdraft limit.'

Duncan McIntyre, chief executive of Morse, says  mobileATM is the result of two-and-a-half years of intensive development work.

‘Bringing this solution to market is an important first step for our joint venture with LINK and we look forward to its continued success,’ he said.