10 Apr 2006
HSBC and First Direct are to launch a mobile banking service this summer to allow customers to access account details in real-time and top-up pre-pay phones.
Customers of the banks will be able to access account details via the MoniLink system run by UK cash machine network Link.
Further reading
While other banks currently offer text messaging services that provide account balance updates sent out intermittently, this will be the first time a UK bank provides real-time access statements and balances via a Java application.
'We already have a text banking service which sends out around 3.3m texts a month,' said Jonathan Etheridge, head of e-futures at First Direct.
'But we recognise that the mobile phone is a platform that will be an important channel for the future. It will be like using a cash point on your mobile phone.'
The MoniLink system, which will be available to all HSBC and First Direct debit card holders later this year, will also allow people to top-up pre-pay phones and potentially other third party payments.
'Customers will be able to move money instantly to top-up phone accounts. There are no definite plans but we hope we will be able to use it for other low-value payment services in the future,' said Etheridge.
The Java application and phone will be linked to an individual's card and a five-digit pin number will be used to authenticate customers.
Have your say on this article
Newsletters
Latest stories from Applications
Latest videos
You may also like
Applications jobs
Technology Patent Wars
Case studies from large organisations across all sectors
... And rich media, and flexible working, and peaks in traffic ...
Upcoming Events
Join us for this Computing web seminar, in which the Head of BI at the Co-operative Group Nick Colebourn will be explaining just how he reigned in the Group’s sprawling database estate and how significant savings were realised and data quality improved as a result.
Date: 31 May 2012
Time: 11:00 AM
Live June 13th 11:00am: Register now. During this web seminar we will be looking at the sorts of incidents that can bring data centres grinding to a halt and what can be done about them.
Date: 13 Jun 2012
Time: 11:00 am
Receive the latest jobs direct to your inbox
Are you being paid what you are worth?