International Mobile Banking Updates - April 23

Mobile malware and your money
"You might have anti-virus software on your computer, but have you considered protecting your smartphone or device? According to the international software house for antivirus security solutions, G Data Software AG, on average 6 915 new malware strains were created every day in the second half of 2012. The report states the number of new malware strains in the tools category, which includes online banking tools, has increased enormously in 2012."

bKash Offers Mobile Banking for Bangladesh
"bKash's CEO Kamal Quadir made the case for the e-commerce company at D: Dive Into Mobile, during the last of three "Global Voices" sessions."

ICICI Bank & Vodafone launch new mobile application
"India’s largest private sector lender ICICI Bank on Wednesday launched a mobile banking application christened as 'M-Pesa' in association with Vodafone India, one of the leading telecommunication service providers. 'This launch is line with the bank's objective of achieving greater financial inclusion,' said Rajiv Sabharwal, Executive Director - ICICI Bank."

Mobile financial services: Visa to launch innovative product in expanding market
"Bullish about the mobile banking scene in Pakistan, Visa Inc – a global payments technology company – is soon going to launch its own mobile financial services (MFS) platform in Pakistan, The Express Tribune has learnt. The product will use VisaNet technology and function on ‘interoperability’ model – a first in Pakistan’s mobile banking market. VisaNet is the world’s largest retail electronic payments processing network, handling an average of 150 million transactions every day, according to the company’s website."

South Africa’s mobile money industry remains innovative and diverse
"Mobile Money Africa returns to Johannesburg in May. South Africa remains one of the most diverse regions in Africa for its proliferation of successful mobile money business models being championed by banks, MNOs (mobile network operators), third party providers and retailers. This is according to Emma Pearce, director of the upcoming, annual Mobile Money Africa conference and exhibition, which will again gather the continent’s leading industry experts in Johannesburg from 28-29 May."

INSIGHT: How tech has transformed banking services in East Africa
"In the past, for a customer to transact any business with their bank, they had to make a trip to a banking hall. Not so these days. Customers can carry out business with their bank using mobile phones or via the Internet. Technology has dramatically transformed banking beyond the traditional brick-and-mortar concept. Many Kenyan banks are now offering Internet and mobile banking services. In fact, local banks have been at the forefront (even by global standards) of adopting technology to drive business volumes and enhance customer service."

Are banking apps up to it?
"Do banking apps deliver a full banking experience? LIRON SEGEV rates and ranks the functionality of the big four South African banks as they go mobile. Mobile banking apps in South Africa have seen phenomenal uptake by customers. But are they all things to all bankers? And which financial institution has the best features on its app? I set out to find out by comparing the features of the various banking apps."

Credit union's Deposit Anywhere™: A Canadian first
"A first in the Canadian financial services market, Central 1 Credit Union and three Canadian credit unions - including Meridian, Ontario's largest credit union - are launching Deposit Anywhere™, a new mobile banking application that makes it easy to deposit a cheque using a smartphone."

International Mobile Banking Updates - Dec 7

Cash-Lite: Mobile Money Expands In Nigeria
"Last week, following regulatory approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the United Bank of Africa (UBA) launched U-Mo, a mobile banking product that will be accessible to more than 80 million people across Nigeria. Now, almost half the country's population will be able to transfer and receive funds using their cellphone -- without having to have a traditional bank account with UBA."

HDFC Bank, Vodafone India launch mobile banking product for rural coverage
"It's a brief moment in the wintry sun for the handful of curious residents of Jhalsu village as a cavalcade of cars descends there on a quiet Saturday morning. Jhalsu is a dusty hamlet with a population of about 3,500 people and is about 35 km north of Jaipur in Rajasthan. The Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Dr K.C.Chakrabarty, is here along with senior officials of HDFC Bank and Vodafone India, to have a look at their pilot project on financial inclusion through mobile banking and get a first hand impression from villagers."

HSBC Mobile Banking App Ranks No. 1 in UAE App Store
"HSBC's mobile banking solution received an outstanding vote of confidence from its customers as the app achieved a ranking of No. 1, in the Finance category, on the UAE Apple app store, within 48 hours of launch. The new mobile banking app was also rated amongst the Top 25 most popular "Free" apps.

HSBC UAE recently launched its new Mobile Banking solution in UAE, delivering the bank's Internet Banking platform customised for smartphone screens. HSBC customers, owning any Apple device, now have access to most of the same functions as desktop users via any GPRS, 3G and wireless (Wi-Fi) network. Using the new digital solution, customers in the UAE can view account details and transaction history, transfer funds between HSBC UAE accounts, access exclusive credit card offers in the UAE and worldwide, make credit card and bill payments, view exchange rates, and more."

Etisalat Afghanistan Launches "mHawala" Mobile Financial Services Powered by Telepin Software
"Telepin Software, a leading provider of mobile money transaction platforms, today announced that Etisalat Afghanistan has commercially launched mHawala, its new Mobile Money Services platform. Telepin's Cayman Transaction platform will be used by Etisalat Afghanistan for a full mobile financial services (MFS) offering that includes central bank cooperation, banking ecosystem participation, utility merchant involvement, and salary disbursement, which enables complete mobile banking capabilities and future cross-border money transfers."