UK wireless operator Vodafone is to offer subscribers direct access to their finances through a link with the MoniLink mobile banking network.
The service allows customers of MoniLink banks to check their balance, request a mini-statement and top-up their or their friends'/family's 'pay as you talk' mobile phones. The Monilink system has been set up by Monitise and VocaLink and has so far signed up HSBC, first direct, Alliance & Leicester, Royal Bank of Scotland, NatWest and Ulster Bank in Northern Ireland.
Bank customers registering with the Vodafone Internet On Your Mobile home page are able to connect to their account using a secure application stored on their mobile. On accessing MoniLink, the customer is prompted to enter a unique passcode, registered with their bank or building society, before secure access is granted to their account.
The service will be offered free-of-charge until the end of the year.
Al Russell, head of Vodafone Internet On Your Mobile says: "Banking is one of the most important services that our customers use and by partnering with the MoniLink network we can ensure that all of our customers are able to access their bank accounts on the move, whenever they wish."