2nd Jul 2008 09:00
2 July 2008
MONILINK MOBILE BANKING AND PAYMENTS NOW AVAILABLE
ON BLACKBERRY
Monitise enables BlackBerry smartphone users to bank and pay on the move
Monitise plc [MONI.L] today announced that the MONILINK mobile banking and payments service is now available* on BlackBerry® smartphones**. The service, which is currently used by customers of the UK's leading banks, including HSBC, NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, first direct, Alliance & Leicester and Ulster Bank, across all major network operators, allows consumers and business people to keep track of their money while on the move, using a combination of an intuitive, secure application on the handset and SMS alerts.
The extension of mobile banking and payment services to BlackBerry® smartphones demonstrates the growing demand for mobile money management from the UK's businesspeople and the growing centrality of BlackBerry devices in the daily lives of both consumers and business leaders across the globe. In today's busy world, being able to manage your bank accounts alongside email and other essential business information is important for many people. For those that run their own businesses, it's absolutely business critical.
Ian Tandy, Director of eCommerce, Alliance & Leicester commented: "We are committed to providing the best possible service to our customers and this includes providing them with the widest choice of options when it comes to managing their money. Our customers already benefit from being able to use their mobile phones to keep track of their bank accounts and the extension of the service to BlackBerry devices will enable even more of our customers, especially those who bank with Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank, to monitor their cash flow whilst on the move anywhere in the world".
The announcement is another example of Monitise's commitment to bringing mobile banking and payments to the mass market of consumers at any time, from any location, using any device. Around half of all UK consumers have access to their bank accounts using its award winning range of services. In the coming months, Monitise expects to announce the availability of its services in other territories across the world, as well as the introduction of a range of new services, including inter-account transfers, peer to peer payments, bill settlement, international remittances and contactless (Near Field Communication) payments.
The BlackBerry solution puts the convenience of email, phone, messaging (SMS, IM, MMS), web browsing, multimedia, organiser and other applications literally in the palm of your hand. Now with Monitise's technology, it can also add banking services such as balance inquiries, funds transfers, mini-statements and text message alerts to that roster. The MONILINK service, which is delivered in the UK by in partnership with VocaLink, the operator of the UK's ATM network, ensures that all information carried is highly secure through the use of existing banking security standards throughout its service.
"The BlackBerry smartphone is often cited as the handset of choice for the world's business people and busy consumers. Bringing mobile banking and payments to the device cements BlackBerry's position as a leader and creates a truly 'business critical' combination of services which will help improve the productivity and efficient working of many people," added Alastair Lukies, chief executive, Monitise plc.
* The service is available to personal BlackBerry customers and to Enterprise customers that have direct access to the internet from their handset and have the administrative rights to download and install applications from the internet.
** MONILINK is available on the BlackBerry 7100, 7130, 7210, 7220, 7230, 7250, 7280, 7290, 7510, 7520, 7730, 7750, 7780, 8100, 8300, 8320, 8700 and 8800.
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Contacts: |
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Monitise Group |
Tel: 020 7868 5200 |
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Duncan McIntyre, Chairman |
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Alastair Lukies, CEO |
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Ben Evetts, Head of Communications |
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Financial Dynamics |
Tel: 020 7831 3113 |
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Harriet Keen |
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Haya Chelhot |
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Erwan Gouraud |
About MONILINK
MONILINK, the UK's mobile banking network, provides consumers with a greater level of control over their finances, allowing them to securely access their card-based accounts via the mobile handset. The service is currently available to customers of Alliance & Leicester, first direct, HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland, NatWest and Ulster Bank and across all major mobile networks. It has been developed over the past three years by VocaLink, the operators of the UK's ATM network and Monitise, the mobile banking and payments specialists. The service was awarded 'Technology Pioneer' status by the World Economic Forum, in recognition of its potential to create a 'life changing impact on a global scale'.
The company uses the trusted technology and operational capability of VocaLink which is connected with 37 of the UK leading retail banks and building societies. This allows VocaLink's portfolio of services, such as balance enquiries and mobile prepay 'top ups' to be delivered to the broadest group of banking consumers.
About Monitise plc
Monitise plc (MONI.L) is a specialist in mobile banking, payments and commerce technology. It has engineered the world's first mobile banking ecosystems, which allow customers of multiple banks and mobile operators to perform banking and payment transactions directly from their mobile handset.
With live services in the UK and the USA, where it has delivered the MONILINK and Monitise networks in partnership with VocaLink and Metavante Corporation respectively, the Company is currently working with international partners to deliver similar safe, secure mobile banking & payment services in territories worldwide.
Current key partners include VocaLink, Metavante, HSBC, first direct, Alliance & Leicester, Royal Bank of Scotland, NatWest, Vodafone, Orange, O2, T-Mobile and Hutchison 3G. Monitise was recognised as a 'Technology Pioneer' by the World Economic Forum in 2006; 'Mobile Innovation of the Year' by The Banker Magazine in 2007 and awarded the Innovation in Messaging Award 2007 by the Mobile Messaging Association.
www.monitisegroup.com
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