International Mobile Banking Updates - Feb 5

Mobile banking market in China growing rapidly, report finds
"There are 150 million Chinese using mobile banking services, transacting more than US$550 billion a year through their mobile devices, according to a Celent report published yesterday. China thus accounts for 40% of mobile banking users worldwide. By 2014, the Mobile Banking Trends in China report estimates the number of users to reach nearly 500 million and transaction volume to exceed US$1.8 trillion."

Mobile banking sees a surge of new entrants
"During the quarter ending September 2012, the branchless banking segment saw more than 31.4 million transactions and Rs139 billion was managed through branchless banking channels, according to the State Bank of Pakistan. In an analysis of this fast growing segment, the SBP reports that branchless banking players registered a growth of 25% in mobile wallets; 7% in number of agents; 11% in number of transactions and 21% in value transacted during the July-September 2012 quarter."

Mobile banking rings up net victory
"THE number of Australians now using mobile banking has exceeded 6 million, with the pace of take-up coming at a faster rate than internet banking. While it took nearly four years for the 6 million figure to be reached for internet banking users, mobile banking hit this number in a little over three years, according to new figures released by financial services consultancy the Market Intelligence Strategy Centre."

Vipera in mobile banking project with Italian retail bank
"Vipera said it has been awarded a mobile banking project with an Italian retail bank, in conjunction with leading professional services firm. Vipera did not name the Italian retail bank, the company it has co-operated with to win the deal, or the value of the contract. The project would allow the bank to offer its customers full access to their bank account details enabling them to make credit card and utility bill payments and to instantly transfer funds anywhere in the world, it said."

QIB unveils its new look Mobile Banking application
"QIB - the leading Islamic bank in Qatar - has unveiled its new look Mobile Banking application which enables customers to access a wide range of services via their smartphones. QIB Mobile Banking is available on the iPhone, BlackBerry and smartphones using the 'Android' operating system. QIB Customers now have access to an extensive array of services that can be accessed anytime, anywhere."