The system is based on BankID, the electronic identity system used by a consortium of nine Swedish banks, as well as the government and other companies, and two million people.

Now, Swedbank has partnered telcos TeliaSonera and Teleno to open up its online bank to Mobile BankID.

Anders Pettersson, head, online banking, offerings and products, Swedbank, says: "This is just the beginning of our efforts to become the leading bank when it comes to mobile services. During 2010, we are planning for more bank services in your mobile phone."

Johan Eriksson, CEO, Finansiell ID-Teknik, adds: "To be able to identify yourself and electronically sign documents using your mobile phone is a both necessary and a quite natural development. We have broadened an already well established infrastructure."

Last year a similar system was launched in Norway, based on its BankID electronic identification and signature system for Web banking.