Mobile Banking Updates - Mar 21

Smartphone Banking Gains Popularity
"Smartphone banking has been gaining popularity here, with local lenders churning out a number of new services based on the new gadgets loaded with various applications, which has changed the business culture in the banking industry.

Since Apple launched the iPhone service here in November, smartphone banking users are increasing dramatically, forcing lenders to develop new products to deal with such demand.

The Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) is leading the trend. The state-run lender has been providing various services for iPhone customers, such as phone banking, foreign currency rates and event information since January. The lender plans to extend its services to other products, such as Omnia and Motoroi."

Government Officials Struggle to Set Rules for Mobile Wallet
"Government officials are struggling to rewrite Internet rules for the smartphone era, and every step forward seems to be a painful leap from a shot in the foot.

The Ministry of Public Administration and Security insists that all financial transactions on smartphones and other data-enabled mobile devices should be subject to the same security requirements that control online transactions by computers, a position backed by the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS).

However, the Korea Communications Commission (KCC), the country's converged regulator for broadcasting and telecommunications, is concerned over the approach when the existing Internet rules are blamed for Korean computer users stuck with outdated technology and security vulnerabilities."

Arkansas.gov Becomes the First State to Offer Mobile Payments for eGovernment Services
"Making government payments while on the go just got easier, thanks to a new mobile Web site for Arkansas.gov. With today’s launch of http://arkansas.gov/m, Arkansas is the first state to provide secure payment processing specifically for smartphone users.

'We are committed to using multiple delivery platforms to provide easy access to government services for all Arkansans'

The Arkansas.gov mobile Web site is part of the official Web site of the state of Arkansas. Starting today, the Arkansas.gov mobile site features secure payments for three high-volume online government services: inmate trust account deposits; probation and parole supervision and restitution payments; and Pulaski County property tax payments."

Syniverse Achieves New Mobile Messaging and Mobile Banking Records
"Moving an average of almost 1.3 billion messages per day in the fourth quarter of 2009, Syniverse Technologies (NYSE:SVR) says it continues to see significant growth of the company’s application-to-person (A2P) and peer-to-peer (P2P) message delivery across its network.

'Mobile messaging clearly is a force in today’s mobile ecosystem,' said Tony Holcombe, President and CEO, Syniverse. 'The rising number of messages that Syniverse delivers on a daily basis leaves little doubt that mobile subscribers are relying more on their mobile devices and associated messaging as a primary way to stay connected with friends, families, employees and customers.'”