Spanish banking group Banco Sabadell is teaming with Vodafone to set up a system that enables its staff to sign documents electronically using their mobile phones.Vodafone España has provided the bank with encrypted phone SIM cards that include a secure chip that connects to the telco's mobile electronic signature platform.
The system - developed with German SIM card specialist Giesecke & Devrient and Spanish vendor TB Solutions - requires staff to enter a PIN on their handset before countersigning documents.
Banco Sabadell says the procedure is the same for any mobile because it is based on the SIM, not on any particular terminal.
The bank has already distributed Vodafone BlackBerry devices equipped with encrypted SIM cards to more than half its employees and has begun to develop applications that allow the use of mobile signatures.
Last year Banco Sabadell outlined plans to invest EUR57.5 million in a joint venture with telecommunications firm Telefónica, focusing on developing anytime, anywhere 'instant banking' services, incorporating new interactive TV and mobile telephony channels.
As part of the JV, the two have launched a marketing campaign that uses bi-dimensional code technology (2D code) to deliver promotional videos on customers' mobile handsets.
The bank embeds a 2D code, which is similar to a bar code but capable of storing more information, in printed advertising material. If a customer is interested in the mortgage product they can take a photo of the code with their mobile phone. This action gives them access to further information and enables them to watch a promotional video on their handset.
Twitter
Daily newsletter