The move is part of a wider alliance that will also see the partners push mobile banking services through in-store and online promotions.

The pre-installed software will let customers check balances, view recent transactions and transfer money through their handsets. Monitise counts many of the UK's biggest banks, including HSBC, Lloyds TSB, first direct, Alliance & Leicester, RBS and NatWest, among its customers.

Charles Dunstone, chief executive, Carphone Warehouse, says: "Monitise has established itself as a leading expert in mobile money by connecting with the widest range of leading banks and mobile network partners. Our partnership means that the majority of consumers can simply 'switch on' their mobile bank!"

"The alliance with the Carphone Warehouse is a milestone agreement for us and our partners and it creates the largest 'Mobile Money' ecosystem in the world," adds Alastair Lukies, CEO, Monitise Group.

Last May the two companies, along with US partner Metavante, outlined plans to develop a pre-paid card scheme that can be managed from a mobile phone.

Monitise says it is still working on the Carphone Warehouse pre-paid card, which has yet to be launched.