International Mobile Banking Updates - July 1

Kenya: Barclays Bank Launches Mobile App
"In Kenya, The Star reports that Barclays Bank of Kenya has introduced a mobile banking app (BarclaysKenya), said to have similar functionality of the financial institution’s full online banking platform. The service is freely available and accessible to customers who have registered successfully for Barclays Internet Banking writes The Star."

Mobile-solution company Tagit to expand in the Philippines
"SINGAPORE-based mobile-solution company Tagit is planning to expand its business in the Philippines by offering mobile-banking application software to banks, its top official said. Sandeep Bagaria, chief executive officer of Tagit, in a recent interview with the BusinessMirror said he is talking with some banks in the country and offer mobile banking applications using Tagit’s Mobeix platform software."

NAB opens digital wallet and takes aim at CBA’s Kaching
"National Australia Bank is poised to kick off digital wallet trials with payments rivals Visa and MasterCard, as it assesses plans to take advantage of growth in mobile banking. The bank will also unveil its response to Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s Kaching payments app at the end of next month, after an internal trial. NAB’s executive general manager of digital and direct banking, Antony Cahill, said the bank was focusing on developments for smartphones and tablets after 76 per cent growth in uptake of mobile banking among its customers in the past 12 months."

High street banks unveil Zapp mobile payments system
"VocaLink has today unveiled a new mobile payment service backed by the UK's major high-street lenders, which provides the infrastructure behind Bacs, Direct Debit and Mobile Top-Up. VocaLink, which is owned by a consortium of 18 banks and building societies, including Barclays, RBS, Lloyds, HSBC and Santander, has named the service Zapp and set up a web page touting its advantages to businesses and individuals at zapp.co.uk."

Money On The Move Has Africa Clicking
"The ability to transact, to withdraw, deposit and manage personal finances anywhere at anytime is an attractive proposition for consumers. This is one of the core advantages of mobile banking services that mobile service providers and financial institutions are looking to invest in- and transfer to their markets. Another driver behind the market is the intention to bridge the gap between Africa’s increasing number of un-banked citizens and its banked community, particularly in terms of access to banking services."

Mobile banking doesn't pay off: Credit Suisse
"Banks are spending too much on digital banking, despite the rapid growth in customers managing finances on their mobile phones and tablets. A report by brokerage Credit Suisse said competition among banks was spurring on a massive investment in mobile technology although it was yet to have little material benefit to the banks. Mobile banking still accounts for less than 10 per cent of the value of digital transactions, despite the number of mobile banking customers surging to 6 million earlier this year."

Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking arm to roll out mobile card acceptance
"Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking is to develop a suite of mobile card acceptance solutions aimed at small retailers and business owners. The brand has announced a partnership with Monitise, which will see the release of the mobile point of sale (mPOS) payment products, while also intending to offer additional banking services and businesses solutions."

Some 50% of account holders prefer mobile banking
"THE Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI) on Thursday said the bank anticipates double-digit growth on mobile-banking transactions this year, its top official said. Carlo Gatuslao, BPI vice president and head of Channel Marketing and Sales Division, said more than half the number of account holders make use of their mobile-banking applications or apps to transact with the bank. BPI launched its first mobile-banking apps for Apple and android smartphones in 2011."

International Mobile Banking Updates - Mar 6

ACLEDA Bank Earns Celent Model Bank Status for its Fiserv-Powered Mobile Banking Initiative
"Fiserv, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISV), a leading global provider of financial services technology solutions, announced today that its client, ACLEDA Bank, PLC., was named a Celent Model Bank for 2013. Celent selected ACLEDA, headquartered in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, based on its successful initiative to bring mobile financial services to consumers without banking relationships, which the bank accomplished using Mobiliti Reach™ from Fiserv."

Mobile banking passes 6 million . . . fast
"Using a mobile phone for banking passed through 6 million users in Australia in the September quarter 2012, which was six months faster to that mark than Internet banking a white paper has revealed. While Internet banking took 15 quarters (3.75 years) to be adopted by 6 million users in Australia, mobile banking took only 13 quarters (3.25 years) to reach the same mark."

Banks moving towards mobile banking
"Bankers and software designers are meeting in Singapore to discuss how to take advantage of smartphones and tablets to expand their business. Banks are shifting investment, from brick and mortar branches packed with staff to slick IT solutions. Singapore software company Tagit is tailoring solutions differently for emerging markets like Indonesia and the Philippines, and banks with established networks in developed countries like Japan and Australia."

New Research Reveals China’s Potential for a Mobile Banking Revolution
"Researcher Patrick Ainslie calls it ‘handshakes over hetongs’ (the Mandarin word for ‘contract’). It’s an opportunity, an open challenge even, to reach 250 million people in China and potentially transform their lives. Ainslie is part of a team of researchers at New York-based social enterprise Reboot, which recently published a study, based on extensive field interviews, on designing financial services for China’s marginalized groups."

 The Moving Target of Mobile Banking Service
"When my colleagues and I talk about mobile banking, we are struck by how many banks operating in mature markets could learn from Africa. Despite the infrastructure challenges – and in some ways because of them – many African banks display a real commitment to innovation in service. Standard Bank of South Africa, for example, is working to provide “inclusive banking” – banking services for the previously unbanked. These customers may not own smartphones, but they can now deposit money and pay for utilities using the phones they have."

Mozido Appeals To Politicos For Action On Mobile Banking
"Gregory Corona, president and chief executive officer of Mozido LLC, has reached out to two top administration officials to run interference for his company with the Bank of Jamaica over a mobile banking deal with the credit union league that has been stalled by regulatory review. Texas-based Mozido operates a local subsidiary, Mozido Jamaica, managed by Kavin Hewitt."

Only three weeks left to register for the third Annual Mobile Banking Southern Africa Conference
"With only three weeks left to register for the third Annual Mobile Banking Southern Africa Conference 2013, we invite all financial, retail and IT professionals dealing with mobile banking and mobile payments to secure their seats at this high powered event. Registrations are filling up and the conference once again promises to be a full-house."

International Mobile Banking Updates - Jan 10

Vietnam prepares for mobile banking push
"Vietnamese payment switch operator Smartlink has called in Singaporean vendor Tagit to help it build a mobile banking service. Tagit says that its Mobeix platform will be available to over 40 million card holders belonging to Smartlink's more than 50 member banks."

Asian corporates slow to adopt mobile banking despite consumer success
"The use of mobile phones to access account information has been gaining some level of popularity among retail consumers. Yet, despite the plausibility of scenarios drawn up by banks and the unambiguity of research results, an Asian response from corporate clients has yet to materialize. In 2007, North American Wells Fargo decided to introduce the service to its corporate clients as well – the first to do so among all the major banks. While many of its peers quickly drew up plans to jump on the bandwagon, the financial crisis refocussed their attention on more pressing issues."

Mobile Banking Use in U.S. Soars, Still Far Behind South Korea, India
"We learn that and much more from the latest Customer Loyalty in Retail Banking report just released by Bain & Company, a consultancy. The researchers have looked into 14 markets around the world and have surveyed 5,200 American consumers to gauge their traditional banking habits and attitudes toward newer channels, such as mobile banking. The report is full of interesting data, so I thought I should give you the bits and pieces I found most revealing of the current state of mobile banking in the U.S. I do, however, strongly encourage those of you who are in the m-payments industry to review the whole paper—there is a lot to be learned in it."

International Mobile Banking Updates - Jan 1

Tagit, Smartlink launch mobile banking service in Vietnam
"Singapore-based mobile technology company Tagit in collaboration with Vietnamese payment switch operator Smartlink has introduced aggregated mobile banking service, which will benefit 51 banks in Vietnam and millions of mobile users. The partnership is expected to provide new growth opportunities for the mobile payments ecosystem. More than 40 million domestic bankcard holders and 120 million mobile users will be benefited when Smartlink jointly will implement mobile services with its member banks across the country."

Mobile banking accounts touch 1.8 million mark
"Mobile banking accounts have jumped to 1.8 million mark depicting a remarkable growth of 25 percent during July-September 2012, according to Branchless Banking (BB) Newsletter by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Wednesday. The BB customers conducted almost 31.5 million transactions worth Rs 139 billion during the quarter. The average size of each transaction was Rs 4,420 while the average number of transaction per day increased to 0.349 million."

Norwegian bank mobile banking app attracts 10% of customers upon launch
"Norwegian bank Sparebanken Vest has revealed one in every ten of its online customers are now using its mobile banking application, following its launch on 4 October, with more than 500 new registrants joining every day. Sparebanken Vest uses Encap’s Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) two-factor security authentication tool for its mobile banking app, which delivers a simple and easy registration and login process, aiding uptake along wide the convenience factor of being able to bank on the move."

International Mobile Banking Updates - Sept 4

Nimbus‚ Finaccess join hands to offer mobile financial services to unbanked
"Nimbus Holdings and Finaccess entered into an agreement today to enable various businesses of Nimbus with a ubiquitous distribution network throughout the country — specifically in the rural parts and comprising over 500 dealers and sub dealers — to offer an end to end mobile financial service provided through the Hello Paisa Network."

Mobile Banking and Payments for Emerging Asia Summit 2012
"Bringing Senior Mobile Banking & Payments Stakeholders Together to Reach Commercialization. Clariden Global will be hosting a 2-day summit, Mobile Banking & Payments for Emerging Asia Summit 2012 - themed "Unleashing the Potential of Mobile Channels to Penetrate Emerging Markets in Asia,, on 8 to 9 October, at Conrad Bali."

DBBL launches Mobile Banking in partnership with Airtel 
"Dutch-Bangla Bank Ltd Saturday formally launched mobile banking in partnership with Airtel Bangladesh Ltd, said a press release. As per the permission of the Bangladesh Bank, only a commercial bank can launch mobile banking services in Bangladesh. Under this initiative, Airtel subscribes will enjoy mobile banking services such as, cash-in, cash-out, remittance collection, salary disbursement, mobile top-up facility and person to person money transfer using DBBL mobile banking account."

Middle East consumers embrace mobile wallet services
"Mobile wallet services, which enable payments via mobile devices, are a potential growth industry in the Middle East, according to experts. While Asian markets look to be ahead of the pack, with a quarter of Japanese mobile users already managing their finances and paying for products via a mobile wallet, there is good potential for increased adoption in the coming year in the Middle East region, according to a study on mobile device usage by TNS, a technology and business strategy firm."

Nedbank app hits Play Store
"Nedbank has finally launched its mobile banking application, although only on Android-powered smartphones for now. The app, known as the Nedbank App Suite, has been available to the bank’s staff since the end of June and can now be downloaded from Google’s Play Store. The Nedbank App Suite includes online share trading as well as the ability to do corporate batch authorisations, reset business banking passwords, check balance enquiries and make payments."

Bank offers remote sign up
"Consumers sitting at home in their pyjamas can sign up to a bank without having to go near a physical main street branch. BNZ's upgraded iPhone app, launched today, allows anyone to join the bank using just an internet connection and a camera phone. The development follows the lead of TSB Bank, which pioneered a similar sign-up system in April with its [my]bank app. Would-be customers take a photograph of their passport or driver's licence, a recent bill or statement, and a self-portrait holding their ID."

Kwame Pianim calls for stronger regulations of mobile money and banking services
"Economist, Kwame Pianim is calling for stronger regulation of mobile money and mobile banking services in the country. This follows what he describes as a worrying trend of unfair competition posed by Telcos to other service providers. Mr. Pianim who is also the Board Chairman of Electronic payment Provider, E-Transact explains to JOY BUSINESS, mobile financial service-delivery is being unduly affected by the dual role of Telco’s."

Tagit helps MayBank Singapore offer mobile banking
"Since going mobile is the hottest trend, Maybank Singapore followed suit by offering mobile banking services Maybank mBanking App using Tagit’s proprietary Mobeix platform. The mobile banking service from Maybank is unique because of the level of personalisation it offers, and allows the users to connect to social media platforms for better service. This is possible because Mobeix works on a new design approach to mobile banking. Maybank’s mobile banking app is available for download in the Apple App Store starting August 24."

SA’s FNB Expands Mobile Services Through Cell C
"FNB and Cell C have announced that FNB Cellphone Banking customers are now able to buy Cell C SMS and Data bundles on the channel. Until now, the only Cell C product that was offered was prepaid airtime. FNB is the first and currently the only bank to enter into a partnership with Cell C to enable its customers to purchase SMS and Data Bundles. Shadrack Palmer CCO, of FNB Cellphone Banking says, 'This is an opportunity for us to increase our product and service offering to meet the needs of all our customers, especially on products that are currently in demand in the market. It is also an opportunity for us to attract new customers.'”

Mobile banking set to become user-friendly
"Banking transactions on mobile phones are set to become easier in a few days time. You will just need to key in the service code ‘*99#’ in your mobile to initiate funds transfer and check the balance in your bank account. To begin with, about 20 banks will offer the service code based mobile banking facility to customers who are subscribers of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. State Bank of India, Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank and Union Bank of India will be part of the initial roll-out."

Mobile Wallet awareness is on the rise in Canada, but security is still a concern
"Canadian smartphone users, specifically those who access the various mobile banking apps, have reached a “critical mass” when it comes to being aware of the ability to pay for products and services at the point of purchase via their device. According to SRG’s Digital Life Canada Survey this key demographic represents about 4 million Canadians. Their study was conducted of 1,000 Canadians sometime in the spring of 2012."

Did you know you have five ways to bank with your mobile?
"Variety’s the very spice of life, that gives it all it’s flavor —English poet William Cowper Spoilt for choice: This is how you would feel when you think of making a mobile banking transaction. There are five options you can choose from. If you are not sure which mobile banking option you should choose, the following are a few simple ways to help you decide which option suits you better."