FNB takes mobile banking to Africa

"FNB has expanded its digital banking services into Africa by launching and integrating its banking app and online banking services into its subsidiaries on the continent. Outside South Africa, FNB currently has operations in Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho, Tanzania and Mozambique." Continue Reading

International Mobile Banking Updates - Sept 18

HSBC customers hit by online banking outage
"Customers of HSBC were unable to access online banking for a period of time this morning due to an IT-related failure. Customers vented their frustrations on Twitter on Friday, complaining that they are unable to access their online and mobile banking accounts. Laura Harper ‏(@LauraJHarper24) tweeted: '@HSBC_UK_Help please can you sort out your online business banking. Going very slow this morning & I have people waiting to be paid!'"

Bank? What bank? Orange, Visa and the changing face of Africa's mobile money
"In a bid to expand its reach into Africa — in many ways the unexplored continent for financial services — US-based Visa has cut a deal with mobile giant Orange, bypassing the formal banking sector and taking advantage of a very African innovation. As of last month, subscribers to Orange's mobile money system, Orange Money, in Botswana have been able to link their mobile money accounts to the Visa network, opening up access to Visa's services even to those with no bank accounts at all."

Kiwibank Business wins top award with a 'stand-out' entry; planning SME mobile banking app for October launch
"Kiwibank has taken out the Supreme Award at the 2013 AUT Business School Excellence in Business Support Awards held last night in Auckland. It beat 41 finalists in the only national performance measure available to the business support sector. Winners were announced in 11 categories, with the Supreme winner chosen from amongst them."

Cosmos Bank launches mobile banking
"In yet another achievement, the fastest growing Urban Co-op Bank Cosmos launched mobile banking service for its customers on last Saturday at the hands of Shrinivas Patil, Governor of Sikkim. The Chairman, Krishnakumar Goyal, Vice-Chairman, Milind Kale, Managing Director, Vikrant Ponkshe, Jt. Managing Director, Suhas Gokhale, Directors of the Board, Members and Customers of the Bank were present for this function. In his inaugural speech, Governor Patil invited Cosmos Bank to open its branches in Sikkim. He also proposed that the bank should spread the web of its branches in North and North-East India too. Governor Patil alsohoped Cosmos Bank will reach the topmost position amongst the co-operative banks."

Kapital Bank launches a mobile banking application built on TranzWare Mobile Banking for Apple iOS smartphones
"WiKapital Bankth help from Compass Plus, Kapital Bank (Azerbaijan) has finished building their own mobile banking application for iOS, and successfully published it on the Apple App Store. The new application is built on TranzWare Mobile Banking and enhances the previously developed applications on the same platform for Android and Java. The application will increase the number of people using the mobile banking system, which can now be fully operated on all Apple mobile devices. This will result in improving the quality of provided services and expanding the remote banking capabilities for Kapital Bank’s customers."

Is Mobile Banking Safe And Cyber Secure In India?
"Mobile banking in India is moving towards an acceptance level. However, till now very few people and institutions are comfortable in using mobile banking in India. Mobile banking in India is still not popular according to RBI. There are certain shortcomings of mobile banking in India that are still left unaddressed. For instance, mobile governance in India is still not well established. M-governance in India is essential before mobile banking can be successfully implemented in India. We have no regulatory framework for m-governance in India."

Electronic, mobile fuels FNB growth
"FirstRand has reported its financial results for the year ended June 2013, noting 20% growth in normalised earnings to R15.3 billion, up from R12.7 billion in 2012. FirstRand’s main retail and commercial division, FNB, contributed the largest portion to the group’s earnings, reporting a 22% rise in normalised earnings to R8.16 billion, up from R6.67 billion in 2012. FirstRand’s other divisions – Rand Merchant Bank and WesBank – reported a 21% and 10% jump in earnings, respectively."

Top Image Systems Recognized as a "Sample Vendor" in Gartner Hype Cycle for Digital Banking 2013 
"Top Image Systems Ltd. TISA, a leading ECM (Enterprise Content Management) and BPM (Business Process Management) and mobile image processing solutions provider,announces that the Company was included as a sample vendor in the Mobile Commercial Remote Deposit Capture and Mobile Consumer Remote deposit categories listed in the "Hype Cycle for Digital Banking, 2013" by Alistair Newton published on July 31, 2013 by Gartner, Inc.. Top Image Systems develops and markets a broad portfolio of mobile content processing solutions, including MobiCHECK for mobile remote deposit capture, MobiPAY for bill payment via mobile devices and the MobiFLOW platform for capture, recognition and processing of structured and unstructured data in files of virtually any size and format. Top Image Systems' mobile content processing solutions are fully integrated with its industry-leading eFLOW(R) multichannel intelligent content capture, workflow and delivery platform."

Retailers to accept 'mobile' payments next year
"Shoppers will next year be able to use their mobile phone to pay in just 12 seconds at stores such as WH Smith, Lidl, Superdrug and McDonald's, The Telegraph can disclose. A major deal has been struck to allow thousands of retailers across Britain to support Zapp, a new mobile phone payment app backed by Britain’s biggest banks."

Banking on the move
"Mobile banking is a bridge that can connect unbanked and underbanked segments to a plethora of financial services. Research indicates that half the world is underbanked and uses informal channels to access financial services, whether it be saving or borrowing money or sending money home. In addition, a lack of formal tools and services drives the underbanked to carry and use physical cash to conduct all financial transactions. Contrary to conventional wisdom, ‘unbanked’ does not necessarily mean that they lack financial access. This is especially true for the population at the bottom of the pyramid, who at times prefer to use informal channels despite having access to formal services."

Why mobile banking is more on paper and less on mobile
"'There is substantial potential for mobile based payments,' said Raghuram Rajan in his first speech after taking over as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. True, there’s surely potential for mobile-based payments in India. But the question is how long will it take for us to fully use that potential? 'There are a large number of registrations, but if you see the number of transactions are not corresponding to the number of registrations. It’s mostly the urban immigrant workers who use mobile payments/banking most,' a head of transaction banking with a PSU bank told Firstpost on the condition of anonymity."

International Mobile Banking Updates - Aug 6

More payments via mobile devices in 2015: report
"Online payment transactions handled by Chinese mobile payment service providers will exceed 9 trillion yuan in 2015, according to an industry report published on Monday. In 2012, the country's mobile banking sector handled 800 billion yuan in online payment transactions, an increase of 265.3 percent from a year earlier, according to a report published by the Internet Society of China, Xinhua news agency reports."

VIPERA PLC : Vipera – KPMG Commercial Partnership Agreement
"Vipera announces today that it has concluded an agreement with KPMG Advisory Spa ("KPMG"), a leading consulting and IT services company in Italy. Under this agreement KPMG, who are looking to expand their business in the area of mobile services and mobile financial services, have become a commercial partner and system integrator of Vipera's mobile financial services and solutions based on Motif."

Knocking on the M-commerce Door
"The past few months have seen more telcos inserting themselves into the mobile money and mobile commerce value chains. In Spain, Telefónica SA announced partnerships with financial institutions CaixaBank and Santander to create a new business in mobile banking, including a mobile wallet. (See Telefónica Brokers Mobile Money Alliance.)"

Surprising FNB mobile device stats
"FNB recently revealed that 76% of their clients visiting their online banking services are using an iPhone or iPad – much higher than all other brands put together. FNB launched its new website on Sunday 14 July, aimed at creating a consistent experience across all devices. The focus on a mobile friendly experience is very evident in the new design. Around 10% of FNB’s banking clients are currently accessing the website via a mobile device – up from 4% a year ago."

Software quality problems show need to “shift left”
 "In the private sector, software errors are causing both financial and reputational damage. A study by software quality specialist SQS identified private sector businesses in the banking, retail and mobile sectors, more likely to suffer software malfunctions than public sector organisations."

Bank of Kigali launches mVISA-Rwanda
"The Bank of Kigali, in partnership with Visa, has launched a new mobile banking platform, mVISA, an interoperable mobile branchless banking solution. BK mVISA is a digital wallet that targets 55 per cent of the country’s population of 10.5 million that currently have mobile phones."

ANZ Extends Mobile Financial Services to Unbanked and Underbanked Consumers with Mobiliti Reach from Fiserv
"Fiserv, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISV), a leading global provider of financial services technology solutions, today announced that Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ), a $642.12 billion asset banking group, has launched an extensive mobile banking and payment service in several nations in the Pacific."

Aussie Bank Crowdsources Product Ideas in Mobile App Challenge
"Westpac will invest $50,000 to develop two concept apps from the public. The bank already has an aggressive mobile strategy, and is threatening to shake things up further with more bold moves like this before year’s end."

Kenya: Press Releases: Barclays Bank Offers Bulk Mobile Payment Solution
"Barclays Bank has partnered with mobile telephony service provider Safaricom to offer a mobile banking service that enables corporate clients to disburse bulk payments such as salaries, dividend payments, per diem allowances and pension payments to various beneficiaries through their mobile phones."

Canadians growing increasingly comfortable with mobile payments
"Mobile payments have gone mainstream in Canada. According to a report a by Technology Strategies International, more than half of smartphone owners in the country have used their phones to make payments this year. The bad news, according to the report titled "Canadian Payments Forecast — 2013," is that most of these mobile payment transactions have been for e-commerce purchases or bill payments via mobile banking apps and mobile banking websites. In other words, they're not happening in brick-and-mortar stores."

Updated: Westpac Australia online, mobile banking services still down
"Westpac Australia has confirmed that its online and mobile banking services are experiencing intermittent issues today. Westpac said its services were restored at 7pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) on Thursday night after being down for most of yesterday."

Mobile Banking Updates - Aug 1

What Are the Best and Worst Mobile Banking Apps?
"There’s something perversely satisfying about depositing a check in bed. While in a recumbent position, I’ve been known to whip out my iPhone, launch my bank’s app, snap a photo of the check’s back and front, type in the amount, and boom. My money wings its way into my account while I return to reading Entertainment Weekly on my iPad. Alas, not all mobile banking apps make it that easy. And a new report from Xtreme Labs, entitled the “U.S. Banking Apps Report: Customer Reviews,” shows that some banks are doing are a better job than others with their mobile apps."

FFIEC may be prepping guidance for mobile banking
"The word going around is that the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council could introduce guidelines on mobile banking security within the next 12 months. But while that particular aspect of mobile payments may be in the regulatory eye, experts do not expect strictures to be more broadly applied."

Mobile Banking Trends: Find Out What is Hot and How to Stay Protected
"The security precautions for smartphone and tablet banking are the same as those for your PC. Smartphones are not inherently more risky, except for one important thing: It’s a heck of a lot easier to lose a phone than a computer. The likeliest way for a hacker to access your bank account information is if they have your phone in their hands. To guard against this, always maintain a password protected system, and if you have to, use security software to wipe the phone clean so valuable data can’t be stolen."

Is Technology Making an Impact in the Banking Industry?
"With TV, music and shopping available with the merest swipe of a screen, it's vital that the banking industry adapts to meet the needs of tech-savvy customers. Considering the focus on the banking industry of late, and the much-talked-about state of the economy, the banking industry's ability to adapt to changing technology could be vital to its recovery from the economic downturn."

More from F.N.B.: mobile banking update
"Earlier this month, I wrote about how F.N.B. Corp.’s online banking tools played into its acquisition strategy. F.N.B. (NYSE:FNB) upgraded its offerings late last year, adding bill payment and remote deposits to its mobile-banking capabilities. Executives talked strategy but were holding off on numbers: I figure CEO Vince Delie might give a progress report during the second-quarter earnings call Wednesday and I was right."

Anywhere/Anytime Access to Online Banking Solutions Driving Increased Uptake of Mobile Platforms, Says ABI Research
"ABI Research forecasts that cumulative online ID and authentication shipments into the banking market vertical will total 1.6 billion in 2018; an increase of 945% when compared to 2012. Cumulative shipments include secure USB tokens, standalone OTP generators, portable smart card readers, and mobile device software applications. Of the 2018 shipment total ABI Research forecasts that mobile software applications will account for 81% of the total 2018, which only accounted for a mere 22% in 2012."

Founders Federal Credit Union Enhances Online, Mobile Banking with Fiserv Solutions
"Fiserv, Inc. (FISV), a leading global provider of financial services technology solutions, today announced that Founders Federal Credit Union (Founders), a $1.6 billion credit union headquartered in Lancaster, S.C., has expanded its relationship with Fiserv in order to enhance its members' digital banking experience. Founders has deployed Corillian Online and Mobiliti from Fiserv to deliver feature-rich online, mobile and tablet banking services."

International Mobile Banking Updates - July 23

Over 80 million people in Middle East and Africa will turn to mobile banking by 2017
"Experts predict that mobile banking in the Middle East and Africa will jump from 19,8 million to 82,1 million users by 2017. Over the last five years the developing world has experienced substantial growth in the adoption of mobile technology. Emerging markets offer not only new possibilities for traditional banking but major potential for transformative banking."

BMI Bank launches mobile banking service
"Bahraini retail and commercial banking institution, BMI Bank recently announced the launch of a new service to help enhance its customers experience when interacting with the Bank. mBanking, the Bank's new mobile banking service, will enable customers to carry out most of their regular banking transactions in a convenient, safe and secure environment simply using their smartphones."

China Mobile and China UnionPay present NFC payments service
"Chinese bank card association China UnionPay and China Mobile, a mobile network operator, have rolled out their NFC payments service in over 14 cities, including Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou in the country. Available for Android devices, customers can send and receive mobile payments at participating merchants equipped with UnionPay QuickPass contactless POS terminals with the help of an NFC SIM card and mobile wallet application, as reported by the Nfcworld.com."

New tax sparks fears for the future of Uganda's mobile banking
"The Ugandan government has levied a 10 percent tax on mobile banking transactions, in a move some have criticized as being short-sighted and potentially harmful to the country's expanding mobile money industry. The country's finance ministry hopes to raise $12m from the mobile banking tax, which went into effect in early July. At least some of this money will come from remittances, which, according to finance minister Maria Kiwanuka, amounted to $767m last year. But the vast majority of mobile banking customers live in Uganda, and faced with rising transaction costs, many are starting to rethink the system altogether. This could spell trouble for Uganda's emerging mobile banking industry and the economic potential it represents."

FNB strides towards mobile banking
"FNB says that 10% of its banking clients accessed its website via a smart device over the past year to June 2013, up from 4% previously. The bank went live with its revamped website on Sunday (14 July 2013), aimed at an improved user experience and a responsive design enabling scalability to multiple devices. 'At least 900,000 clients have accessed FNB.co.za via a smart device and 10% of banking clients are accessing via a smart device…and growing. It was only 4% last year,' FNB CEO of Online Banking Lee-Anne van Zyl told BusinessTech."

Malaysia’s New Mobile Banking Platform: Poised for Success
"Bank Negara Malaysia has recently launched a new mobile payment channel called MyMobile through its wholly owned subsidiary Malaysian Economic Clearing Corporation (MyClear). For the kickoff, MyMobile has teamed up with the country’s three largest banks, CIMB, Maybank and Public Bank, as well as the three largest mobile operators, Maxis, Celcom and DiGi, who collectively represent 93 percent of the country’s market."

Paying mobile dividends, digital payments giving banks a run for their money
"Australia's big four make up a cosy oligopoly without any real competition, say the critics. But now cashed up global giants are muscling in to the mobile payment space. The likes of Apple, Google and PayPal are on the offensive giving consumers and merchants plenty of new options to choose from."

Judge dismisses legal action to shut down Safaricom’s M-Shwari service
"An injunction sought by Faulu Kenya, a Kenyan micro-finance provider, to shut down Safaricom’s M-Shwari mobile banking service – pending the outcome of a court case – has been dismissed by a judge according to local press reports. As part of its push to broaden the range of M-Pesa services, Safaricom launched a banking service last November in partnership with the Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA). Dubbed M-Shwari, which runs on the M-Pesa platform, the service offers loans and interest on deposit accounts."

RBC announces RBC Secure Cloud: The first cloud-based mobile payments solution in Canada
"RBC today announced its RBC Secure Cloud mobile payments service (patent-pending). This new technology, a first in Canada, will allow clients to more safely and securely pay for purchases using their mobile devices. Keeping sensitive client data secure with RBC in the cloud, not on the phone, makes RBC Secure Cloud a safer, faster, more flexible solution. RBC will bring RBC Secure Cloud to market by the end of the year with debit and credit on a number of smartphone platforms."

TD thanks customers for eighth straight J.D. Power Award in customer satisfaction
"A leader in responding to customers evolving needs, TD Canada Trust has built a stellar reputation for exceptional customer service and convenience. Building on its commitment to delivering convenience to Canadians, TD Canada Trust has received the highest ranking in customer satisfaction among the Top Five banks for the eighth straight year by the J.D. Power 2013 Canadian Retail Banking Customer Satisfaction Study(SM). TD Canada Trust performs well in all seven factors, including channel activities; account information; facilities; product offerings; fees; financial advisor; and problem resolution."

International Mobile Banking Updates - July 15

BPI sees mobile banking transactions rising rapidly
"THE Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI) anticipates a sharp rise in mobile banking transactions this year. In a statement sent by e-mail, BPI executives said that since the first launching of their mobile banking application in 2011, more than half of mobile banking enrollees transact with the bank using their mobile apps. According to BPI executives, the number may rise further in the wake of the adoption of the latest version of the BPI Express Mobile App."

Mashreq Qatar launches smart banking with Snapp mobile banking app
"In its efforts to continue leading the banking space, the region's leading financial institution, Mashreq Qatar has officially launched state-of-the-art mobile banking app 'Snapp'. The fully-functional mobile banking service can be downloaded free of cost and is available to customers on Android and iOS platforms throughout Qatar."

Citi PH's mobile banking app offers 'one-time PIN'
"Citi Philippines has launched a "one-time personal identification number" (PIN) feature in the Citi Mobile banking app. Citi clients can now get a "one-time PIN" via SMS or on the online security device, offering greater convenience when making online banking transactions. The "one-time PIN" is a unique six-digit PIN that serves as a dynamic second-level authentication and allows users to access their account details and complete online transactions on their computers, tablets or mobile phones."

Polish banks unveil mobile payments standard
"Mobile payments looks set to receive a boost in Poland after six banks announced they will collaborate to create a new standard in the country. Alior Bank, Bank Millennium, Bank Zachodni WBK, BRE Bank, ING Bank and PKO Bank Polski intend to build a common infrastructure including standard authorisation and settlement. The system will be open to all market participants, including other banks, and will support abilities such as mobile cash withdrawal from ATMs and mobile money transfer."

Westpac launches home loan approval via mobile
"In a first for New Zealand and Australia, Westpac NZ customers can apply and secure approval for a home loan within minutes via their mobile phone. The new capability is part of the latest update for Westpac’s mobile banking app and is available now. Customers can fill out a home loan application, submit it and receive approval all via their phone. The entire process, including receiving the approval, takes just minutes and adds a new dimension to weekend house hunting, participating in auctions and the planning process in buying a home."

Africa's first Bitcoin wallet launches in Kenya
"Africa's first Bitcoin transfer service has launched in Kenya, piggybacking on M-Pesa, the country's highly successful mobile banking platform. The service, called Kipochi, will allow Kenyans to move money abroad while dodging the hefty transaction fees charged by companies like Western Union and MoneyGram. Kipochi -- which means purse in Swahili -- describes itself as a lightweight, easy-to-use Bitcoin wallet. Users only need an email address, phone number and passport or national identity number to sign up and can currently transfer up to one bitcoin a day using the service -- although this is expected to increase soon."

FNB revamps online banking
"First National Bank has given its online banking portal an overhaul. The new site is more minimalist and allows clients to use the full, online service on smartphones and tablet computers, in addition to laptops and desktops. The new website will be available to consumers on Sunday."

Santander unveils mobile banking service for small business customers
"Santander Business Banking has rolled out a new mobile banking service for small business customers, in a bid to offer convenient online payment channel to execute various banking services through their mobile phones. In order to access banking services through mobile phones and handheld devices with internet access, customers will have to register to Santander Online Business Banking, prior to sign up for the mobile banking service."

Kenya: CIO 100 - Old Mutual's Mobile Based Unit Trust Proves to Be a Hit in Kenya
"The last seven years have seen the mobile phone become quite a useful tool in East Africa, and especially in Kenya, where M-Pesa has become a global case study of the impact of mobile money. On Twitter, Carole Kimutai, editor - Management Magazine says "I am so amused watching bank CEOs brag about mobile banking. I remember how scared they were of M-Pesa. Times really change!" Mobile also emerged also prominently featured at the third CIO East Africa CIO 100 Annual awards and Symposium in Kigali, Rwanda."

International Mobile Banking Updates - Nov 13

Mobile banking expands to include microfinance
"Mobile banking in the Philippines is expanding into microfinance to serve the lower-income market outside of the country’s major urban centers. Tricia Dizon, head of financial services at Smart Communications, said in a statement the telecommunications giant was helping launch mBank Philippines."

Mobilink to launch mobile financial services
"Mobilink is all set to enter the mobile banking segment as Waseela Bank – sister concern of Pakistan’s largest cellular operator – has obtained central bank’s approval to launch Mobile Financial Services (MFS) in Pakistan, sources familiar with the matter said and the company’s spokesperson also confirmed on Tuesday. A subsidy of Orascom Telecom – Mobilink’s parent company – Waseela Bank is said to launch its MFS operations by December this year; the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) issued the licence on Monday, according to sources."

Leading Pakistan Mobile Banking Provider Uses IBM Cloud
"The FINANCIAL -- IBM announced that Monet, one of Pakistan’s leading mobile-commerce providers, has selected a customized IBM cloud-based solution that will enable the company to enhance service efficiency and expand its presence across the country. Launched in 2012, Monet provides banks, mobile network operators and branchless banking agents in Pakistan with a technology platform that offers end-users a simple interface through which they can access a wide range of financial services on their mobile phones."

Mobile banking to overtake online
"More people will be banking on their mobile phones and tablets than online within five years, Westpac group executive, retail and business banking, Jason Yetton says. Mr Yetton said the explosive growth in mobile banking over the past two years, with more than 1.58 million Westpac customers using their devices for transactions, will accelerate. Westpac estimates that the number of payments made across its digital platforms will exceed one billion transactions within five years, with a total value of $6.8 trillion."

Good banking apps can make consumers jump ship: ANZ Bank
"The quality of a banking app can have the power to make consumers switch banks, according to ANZ Bank's Group General Manager for Innovation Peter Dalton. All the major Australian banks have poured money into customer-facing mobile application development as smartphone and tablet penetration continues to soar. Around one in 10 ANZ Bank customers do their banking exclusively on their mobile devices. Its competitors are all going through similar growth in mobile banking, with Westpac boasting 1.58 million customers engaging the bank through mobile devices."

Federal Bank rolls out mobile fund transfer facility to merchants
"Federal Bank has launched a funds transfer facility to merchants and enterprises through mobile phone. The Kochi-based private sector lender’s IMPS-Merchant Payment Service, in association with National Payment Corporation of India, will enable customers to use their mobile phones to access bank accounts and transfer funds."

PC Financial to launch a mobile banking app “in the upcoming months”
"While some Canadian banking institutions are already plugging away at mobile payments, PC Financial is wrestling with launching a mobile app. The Loblaws driven financial service, provided by CIBC, has approximately 2.3 million customers and some people have been requesting an app for months. Having a mobile banking app is basically standard these days. Offering simple features like checking account status, transfer funds, find ATM’s or contacting the closest branch makes the banking experience a more pleasant one."

Going mobile
"First National Bank customers are now able to track their spending habits, check their balance and make electronic bill payments from their smartphones. FNB has created an enhanced Online Banking System and also introduced Mobile Banking. 'For generations, personal service has been the signature of The First National Bank of Brundidge,' said John Ramage, senior vice president of FNB."

Use of Mobile Banking Continues to Grow: Canadian Bankers Association
"The Canadian Bankers Association (CBA) today released the results of its latest study on How Canadians Bank, which explores the role that modern technologies are playing in consumer banking. The results reveal that Canadians continue to embrace new approaches to banking and see these innovations as adding value to their daily banking. Going forward, the research suggests change will continue, driven by the convenience of the Internet, and led by younger generations who tend to be the first adapters."

Mobile Phones Empowering the Rural Poor through Mobile Banking
"Mobile phones are as numerous in Rwanda as the beautiful panoramic views of its famous 'Thousand Hills'. This was all the more confirmed as Vestine Nyirabagande, Urwego Opportunity Bank’s (UOB) client, sat with a mobile phone on her lap. She laughed when asked how many of her neighbors have mobile phones. 'I don’t think there is anyone in this area who doesn’t have a mobile phone!' she said."

St George customers getting smarter and smarter with their banking
"The St George Bank says it is seeing an “unprecedented demand” from its customers wanting to do as much of their banking as possible on their smartphones, and that more than 60,000 of its 400,000 mobile banking customers are already only using their smartphone to do their banking."

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."

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."

International Mobile Banking Updates - Jul 2

Mobile Banking: Is it a Banking Solution To The Unbanked in Africa?
"Banking the unbanked especially in African countries has for along time been a major predicament. Due to the low level of technology, illiteracy, under development, and lack of proper awareness, the banking sector has been lagging unlike others such as IT and other sectors in the industry."

Emerging economies embrace banking innovations
"When it comes to reaching the unbanked in developing countries, there's room for all players. Worldwide, the unbanked population is estimated at 2.5 billion adults, including 80 percent in Africa, 40 percent in India and 64 percent in rural China. The established means of reaching out to the unbanked in such markets is the ATM. And research indicates that over the next five years, China, India and Africa will be three of four biggest markets for deployment of new or replacement ATMs — with North America rounding out the list."

Connected consumers go where banks haven't
"iWallet, PayPal, apps may grow faster than banking innovation. The banking industry has been given a warning: beware of new competitors stealing traditional financial services via technology. Consumers with mobile devices have the potential to access financial services outside bank offerings, says Bob Hayward, a keynote speaker at the Retail Financial Services Forum in Sydney last week."

Rise of the 'Smartphonatics'
"A recent report by ACI Research and the Aite Group identified a new category of smartphones users, or “Smartphonatics”, who change their financial, payment and shopping behaviour as a result of owning a smartphone. The report is based on a survey of 4 200 consumers, in 14 countries, in the first quarter of this year. The survey was conducted in order to gain insight into the worldwide adoption patterns for mobile banking and payments."

CIBC Continues its Leadership in Mobile Financial Services with the Launch of New Text Message Alerts
"CIBC today announced it has launched powerful new text message (SMS) customer Alerts, continuing its leadership in mobile financial services. The new Alerts bring important financial information to clients at a time and place that's convenient for them through their smartphone, or through email or online banking, to help clients manage their day to day finances. The Alerts range from reminding clients about upcoming credit card payments and due dates so they don't inadvertently miss a payment, to information on future-dated bills or transfers to ensure clients have adequate balances and can avoid late payment fees. Text message Alerts to mobile devices, combined with CIBC's award-winning Mobile Banking, empowers clients to effectively and conveniently manage their finances, wherever they are."

Sungard introduces new ‘solution’ to improve banking services
"As the global financial crisis continues to take its toll on financial institutions and countries worldwide, Sungard introduces its Ambit Core Banking Solution that aims to help banks improve their management processes. Ambit Core Banking Solution “is a universal banking system that provides comprehensive instrument and product coverage for retail deposits and lending, commercial banking, trade finance, and treasury management,” Sungard said in a statement."

Kiwibank’s iPhone App Puts A Service Rep In Everyone’s Pocket
"Kiwibank has released its mobile banking app for iPhones. The app is part of a suite of online innovations pouring from the bank intended to revolutionize how people bank online. Kiwibank’s first iPhone app has been much anticipated. While most of the world’s big financial institutions have had smart phone apps deployed for months, even years, Kiwibank was among the few holdouts. But it was worth the wait."

FNB banking app hits transactions landmark
"Since launching its mobile banking application on the 20th July 2011, FNB has seen over R4 billion in transactions go through the app. This is according to Michael Jordaan, who announced the figures this afternoon (26 June 2012) via his Twitter account."

International Mobile Banking Updates - Mar 6

FNB integrates mobile banking with Facebook
"FNB today announced that its customers can now buy FNB Vouchers using Cellphone Banking and send to friends on Facebook. FNB Vouchers on Facebook is another first by a bank in South Africa. FNB Vouchers are targeted at Facebook users in South Africa. This innovative product enables FNB customers registered for Cellphone Banking to send gifts to their Facebook friends — the recipient of the FNB Voucher can redeem it as Prepaid Airtime or convert it to cash by using the bank’s eWallet service."

Reaching the Poor: Mobile Banking and Financial Inclusion
"In a recent Slate article, Jamie Zimmerman and Sascha Meinrath lament the exclusion of the poor from Kenya’s much-touted expansion of mobile money, exemplified by the growth of M-PESA. Citing our early empirical analysis of the adoption of M-PESA, the authors correctly note that in 2008, many of the poor did not use the service. Zimmerman and Meinrath infer from this pattern of adoption that poor households are made worse off by M-PESA’s success."

Mobile banking’s Sh1.5tr boost to formal economy
"Mobile banking has succeeded in bringing about Sh1.5 trillion into the formal economy, indicating the potential of mobile phone-based financial transactions to bridge the gap left by the mainstream banking system. Tanzania has about Sh2.3 trillion in circulation at any given time, the formal banking and financial system holds about Sh13 trillion, but experts say most of the liquidity is in the informal circulation."

Mobile Banking in Australia
"M-banking involves conducting account balance and transaction history inquiries, fundstransfers, billpayments, stocktrades, portfolio management, as well as insurance ordering, via a mobile device."

International Mobile Banking Updates - Feb 21

Standard to expand African mobile services
"STANDARD Bank plans to expand its cellphone banking and payment services in Africa to tap into a growing middle class that is expected to fuel one of the highest growth rates among emerging markets. The bank, which already dominates in processing mobile transactions in SA, would use a mobile payment platform developed locally but which would be tailored to meet the unique conditions of various markets on the continent."

FNB's mobile money solutions a hit across Africa
"Mobile banking is taking off in Africa, with FNB recording a 150% jump in transaction growth for its cellphone banking service and 1,384% growth for eWallet for the month of December 2011 when compared to the previous December. The bank's customers conducted 2.4 million cellphone banking transactions during December 2011 in Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Swaziland and Lesotho, to the value of R214 million as compared to R986,000 transactions in December 2010."

The Rise of Mobile Banking in the UK
"In the UK, the number of smartphone users accessing a bank account via their device has increased by 86 percent over the past year. In the three month average ending December 2011, over 4.8 million smartphone users accessed bank accounts on-the-go, compared to 2.6 million in December 2010."

Africa sprints ahead with mobile banking
"With all the right ingredients for a successful banking on-the-go eco-system to develop, Africa is the leading the way in mobile banking. Visa's 2011 US$110 million purchase of South African mobile financial services infrastructure provider, Fundamo, certainly let the cat out of the bag. While most of the world might still be feeling their way around mobile banking, many African countries are making giant strides forward in this space and it seems likely that this is where mobile banking models are going to evolve."

International Mobile Banking Updates - Oct 16

Future lies in mobile banking, says SBI
"Every banker dreams of being able to introduce an initiative that no one has done before, when he or she gets to the helm. What is your dream?

I am too much of a practical person, so I look at it from what can be done. But having said that, I feel we need to do something more in the space of mobile banking. We need to make it much more popular than it is right now because that is the banking of the future. Mobile banking might have failed to take off and this is not because of lack of systems and procedures. Those things are in place. It is just that the general public is not very convinced about mobile banking. Bankers have to play a major role in popularising this. Otherwise, the future of banking will bypass India. I think, going forward, mobile banking will be more preferred than internet banking."

Mobile Banking Services Launch Chart a New Era
"THE launch last week of mobile banking services by Econet Wireless Zimbabwe and Telecel Zimbabwe has charted a new era in delivery of banking products to the public, analysts have observed. Zimbabwe, which has for long lagged behind in terms of ICT development, seems to have turned a new corner, with new forms of banking anticipated to foster financial inclusion of the unbanked population."

FNB rises to dominant position in mobile banking for Southern Africa
"As local and international banks roll out technology to provide efficient and remote banking services in Africa, South Africa's First National Bank (FNB) has managed to dominate the Southern African region. Outside of South Africa itself, First National Bank (FNB) has expanded the eWallet mobile banking service to Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland and Zambia, with plans under way to expand the service to more countries in the region."

Mobile Banking Zooming In Australia: In 10 Years will it be Ubiquitous?
"Is it possible that within 10 years, mobile banking and mobile payments will be entirely ubiquitous? Careful with those “In 10 years...” predictions. This reporter has heard that in 10 years, America will be on the metric system, cars won’t run on gasoline and the Minnesota Vikings will win the Super Bowl. However, George Lawson, head of merchant acquiring for Westpac, believes that in 10 years mobile banking will have made quite a dent."

CUA to overhaul online, mobile banking
"Indian-based IT services company Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has expanded its scope of work with CUA, taking out the contract for the new online banking system. TCS also won a contract with CUA this year to replace the credit union's home-grown core banking system with the BaNCS platform. CUA chief Chris Whitehead said that the selection of TCS for the online revamp made sense given its existing work on the core banking system."

Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) Makes Mobile Banking Deal
"Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) has entered into a joint venture with the telecommunications provider America Movil to provide Latin Americans with mobile banking services. The alliance named Transfer will involve an investment of $50 million, and will begin in Mexico by the first quarter of next year."

International Mobile Banking Updates - Sept 13

FNB launches new mobile payment method
"Pay2Cell is FNB’s latest mobile banking offering, which take a lot of admin out of making deposits and transfers into FNB accountholder’s accounts.

Pay2Cell allows FNB accountholders to make payments to other FNB clients using only the recipient’s cellphone number- no branch code or account number required, allowing customers to keep their banking details private. This could be yet another innovative idea that will see the migration of banking clients moving towards more technological means of making payments."

TD Canada Trust poll says only 8% of Canadians use mobile banking
"A recent survey from comScore suggested that 12.3% of Canadian mobile subscribers (24.5 million) have accessed banking, credit card, insurance or brokerage account information from their device. They didn’t give a breakdown of how many were for each category but TD Canada Trust stepped up today with their own poll. The 'Everyday Banking Poll' reached out to 1,000 Canadians between August 3rd – 9th and found that only 8% actually use mobile banking."

UPDATE: Rogers Communications Files Application To Start Bank >RCI
"Rogers Communications Inc. (RCI), Canada's biggest wireless phone company, plans to start a bank, primarily focused on credit, ...
--Rogers intends to start a bank
--Move into nascent, fast-growing mobile-banking market
--To be called Rogers Bank"

Banking on m-banking
"Like in many other countries, people in Bangladesh started believing in mobile banking, which was introduced on May 15 by Dutch Bangla Bank Ltd (DBBL). BRAC Bank introduced the service on July 21. Mercantile Bank and Trust Bank are also going to introduce m-banking throughout the country with the help of the government union information centres.

A total of 12 banks are in the race to introduce the service, while two are in the final lap of implementation. It was possible for approval from Bangladesh Bank and the telecom operators have also come forward to help the banks."

Mobile banking fast replacing cash and cheque transactions
"Financial transactions involving cash and cheque are gradually diminishing with currently only 49 per cent of all deals being carried through this medium. This is happening due to the increasing adoption of alternative channels like credit and debit card, ATM, online transactions and now the mobile. According to a report by Boston Consultancy Group, the share of traditional cash and cheque-based transactions is to fall to a low 15 per cent by 2020."

Mobile Banking Updates - Jun 29

Mobile Banking Growth Opportunity 'Substantial'
"Smartphones and tablets have already upended the consumer electronics industry (having reached near-equal penetration to e-readers and netbooks, according to Parks Associates). And they're expected to have a residual effect on the mobile banking world as well. According to a study from Chadwick Martin Bailey and iModerate Research Technologies, more than half of smartphone and tablet owners use their devices for some form of mobile banking. At the same time, the 39% of people who plan to purchase one of the devices will use it for banking."

Mobile a key factor in consumer banking: study
"Mobile banking is quickly becoming the future of banking statements, and a new study found that mobile is now a factor when consumers are choosing banks. The study, which was conducted by financial consulting and research firm Mercatus LLC, reported that consumers are now using mobile platforms as a major consideration for banking. This study aligns with recent developments in financial banking."

FNB reports soaring African m-banking uptake
"The South Africa-based outfit says it subsidiaries have experienced massive take-up of m-banking services with year-on-year growth of 376% in Zambia, 277% in Botswana, 204% in Namibia and 473% in Swaziland. Nearly two thirds of its customers in Botswana now use mobile banking, nearly half of those in Namibia and Zambia and 11% in Swaziland."

Will E-Banking Close Your Bank Branch?
"Bank branches are being shuttered across the country as more consumers switch to electronic banking, since they tend to attract an older demographic, one more used to paper checks and deposit forms. But younger consumers are increasingly edging closer to mobile and online banking, with 30- and 40-somethings trailing closely behind. A study from Boston-based industry watcher Mercatus states that mobile banking platforms are a major consideration when choosing a bank."

Smart Strategies for Dumb Phones
"Yeah, yeah. Allison Landers knows all about smartphones and how quickly they've been proliferating. As an executive in Key Bank's online and mobile services division, Landers is more than aware that iPhones, Blackberrys and Androids have been the driving force behind the faster-than-expected rate of adoption for mobile financial services these past two years.

But since launching mobile banking services in 2009, Key has not exclusively catered to this subset of tech-savvy customers. The bank doesn't even offer an iPhone application yet, keeping most of its focus on less flashy offerings: an SMS text-based service and a website designed specifically for mobile phones. This lets Key reach more customers than it could through services intended just for those with smartphones."

Will banks avoid the mistake of DIY internet banking platforms and opt for shared mobile banking?
"Everybody is looking at the cloud right now. This might be a private cloud that sits within an organisation, the public cloud which harnesses software on the web or a community cloud where companies with similar needs share software that doesn't give them any differentiation. The third option is of particular interest to me because I recent interviewed a couple of senior executives at the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (Swift). This is a messaging service currently used by over 8000 finance organisations. "

Mobile Banking and Lottery Tickets

Don’t queue: Bank by phone
"This week, FNB added Lotto tickets to the range of things its mobile users can buy — an impressive “turn the other cheek” approach, considering that FNB was forced to close its “million a month” savings accounts because the Lotto saw it as an infringement of its government monopoly."