Mobile Banking Updates - Feb 8

Bank of America close to 2 million mobile banking users
"Bank of America's web-based mobile banking service is close to reaching 2 million users, up 1 million over May 2008. The number of mobile banking users represents 10 percent of the bank’s 29 million online banking users"

Barclays tightens mobile banking security
"Barclays has become the first UK high street bank to offer free security software to its mobile banking customers, in a deal with anti-malware vendor Kaspersky Lab. Customers logging into the Barclays.mobi site can download the free software, which includes anti-virus, anti-spam and anti-theft protection, by clicking on the 'Kaspersky offer' link."

Is This the Year Mobile Banking Goes Big?
"2009 is shaping up to be the year that mobile banking takes off. Again. Yes, we know you’ve heard this one before. Soon everyone will be checking their account balances and transferring funds from their cell phones. But whereas in the past the only thing banks had to show for these claims was mobile services that they’d spent millions developing, this time they’ve got a crucial asset in their favor: customers."

Smart Phone Mobile Tools Seen as Client Magnets
"Banks and aggregators say that mobile financial services, and especially tools that run on smart phones, are not just a way to improve customers' access to their accounts but also are a lure for new customers."

Branching Out: Mobile Banking Finds New Users
"You may not want to learn how much smaller your bank account has gotten. But banks are making it easier than ever for consumers to access account information on their mobile devices. Big banks are offering new services or improving existing ones that allow people to access their accounts while on the go."

Gemalto and mChek Join Forces to Serve Mobile Payment Markets in South Asia
"Gemalto, the world leader in digital security, today announced its partnership with India-based technology partner mChek, a leading provider of mobile security, banking and payment applications, to bolster the range and choice of secured mobile banking solutions available on Gemalto SIM cards to markets in South Asia."

Industry Analysis on Mobile Banking Now Available From The Mobile Marketing Association
"The Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) (www.mmaglobal.com) today announced the publication of its Mobile Banking Overview; an educational resource designed to provide analysis of the unique marketing opportunities and attributes that the mobile channel represents for the financial sector."