Monilink was set up in 2003 to provide a single consistent interface through which UK consumers could access bank accounts and perform transactions using their mobile hand sets.

The system is currently used by customers of Alliance & Leicester, as well HSBC and its subsidiary first direct. Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Ulster Bank have also signed up to deliver services over the network in the future.

Alastair Lukies, chief executive, Monilink, says: "We are seeing massive interest in mobile banking and payments with thousands of people using our service every day."

The network currently allows customers to check their balance, recent transactions and top up 'pre-pay' mobile phone credit directly from their hand sets. Monilink says it will add new services in the coming months, including the ability to transfer money between accounts and to check on savings or mortgage balances.

Lukies says access to the service currently comes with no subscription charge or ongoing fee, although customers have been paying 20 pence for a balance enquiry and 25 pence for a mini-statement.

But the current period of free access to the service is part of a planned marketing push between all partners to drive consumer usage over the coming months. Lukies says as of January 2008, the service will move to a "flexible charging model" for services, with many networks and banks expected to bundle Monilink services into account packages. Access to the mobile top-up facility will remain free.

Following the strong take up of the system so far, Monilink says it is launching a daily cash giveaway for registered users. One customer will be randomly selected every day for the next 25 days to receive £100 cash. To be eligible to win, customers need to use or register their interest for Monilink over the next 25 days.