International Mobile Banking Updates - Jul 25

South Africa: FNB Takes Banking to Facebook 
"South Africa's First National Bank announced on Thursday that its mobile banking customers will now be able to do their banking through social networking site Facebook. It is a first for South Africa, allowing the bank's customers to link their Facebook profiles to their cellphone banking profiles. Once linked, they can access the 'FNB Banking on Facebook' application, which will allow them to check their balances, purchase prepaid products including airtime, SMS and BlackBerry bundles, as well as the option to view Lotto and PowerBall results."

Digicel to expand mobile banking to Caribbean
"Already the fastest growing telecommunications major in the Caribbean, Digicel has recently entered into a financing deal that could see it well positioned to expand mobile banking technology across this region. In an announcement released by the Silicon Valley based M-Via, a mobile banking firm which touts itself as the company that revolutionised how immigrant and unbanked families save and share their wealth, the Digicel Group was identified as the leader of a US$17 million financing round initiated by M-Via."

Banks boost mobile banking
"Agreements signed between telecoms companies and banks look set to shore up a nationwide campaign to boost mobile banking services in the country. While the cash-less initiative poses challenges, such as a lack of infrastructure and connectivity problems in rural areas, industry players are optimistic that mobile money will go a long way in bridging the divide between the banked and unbanked segments of the population."

Rackspace UK Banking Study: Progressive Mobile Computing Strategy Is Key Competitiveness Differentiator
"Investment in mobile computing capabilities by UK banks and financial institutions has become a significant determinant of competitive advantage, according to research revealed today by Rackspace Hosting RAX -2.77% , the service leader in cloud computing. Providing customers with mobile apps is now viewed as being crucial to having a competitive advantage by 63 per cent of financial services organisations."

Mobile Banking Updates - Apr 7

ClairMail Talks Security (Part II): The Importance of Business Controls for Consumer Confidence
"This week was a big week for the international mobile financial services industry. We at ClairMail announced our new Mobile Connectivity Architecture (MCA) - a new way of connecting the mobile channel (and thus the consumer) to nearly all core bank systems, setting in motion our ultimate vision of bank customers being able to complete nearly all bank interactions without ever having to leave such a convenient communication method."

The Very Mobile Future of Banking
"Take a look at these videos and interactive demos and you’ll swear the future of banking hinges on the marriage of two ideas: 'mobile' + 'touchscreens.'

Commonwealth Bank, based in Australia, sees the near future of banking built around interactive touchscreen technologies like Microsoft’s Surface and Apple’s iPad. The Aussie bank’s vision includes augmented reality, geolocation, biometrics and mobile payments. 'Anyone. Anywhere. Anytime.' It’s not hard to imagine that some people might be banking like this by 2013, but most people probably won’t catch up to this highly urban/upscale prediction until some time after that.”

m-Via Mobile Payments Present at Under the Radar Mobility 2009
"Like Western Union, but for the 21st Century…. m-via lets you transfer funds to unbanked family and friends anywhere in the world. Missed seeing them present at Under the Radar today? See their company description and Bill’s presentation below:"

Monitise Americas Publishes White Paper on the Critical Mobile Banking Decision
"Monitise Americas, the leading mobile banking and payments provider, today announced that it is making available its white paper, “The Critical Mobile Banking Decision”. The paper examines how mobility should be regarded as a strategic solution that can offer a solid return on investment. It also makes the case for selecting a provider that can offer a proven, integrated system that supports a long-term growth vision."