The new service launched Nov. 6, 2007, and gives FirstBank's Internet Banking customers the ability to quickly check their account balances and transfer funds across accounts using their mobile phones, even while waiting for a flight and in jam-packed shopping malls.

FirstBank, Colorado's largest locally-owned bank, is one of the first banks in Colorado to offer the service. Mobile Banking is currently available to AT&T Wireless customers, and Verizon customers are expected to gain access in December. FirstBank offers the service at no charge, though connectivity and usage rates may apply.

"FirstBank strives to make banking easy for our customers by offering a variety of ways to access and manage funds," said Dave Baker, chief operating officer of FirstBank Holding Co. "Our customers can access their accounts by calling our 24-hour customer service center, logging into their computers, stopping by a FirstTeller ATM, visiting one of our nearly 120 locations and now through an application on their mobile phone."

Approximately half of FirstBank's customers across all demographic groups use its Internet Banking system, and while Mobile Banking tends to appeal to a younger demographic, the company expects a wide range of customers to ultimately use the program.

"Mobile Banking allows business travelers sitting in an airport quick, easy and secure access to their accounts," said Baker. "People can access their funds from anywhere they have mobile service without having to make a call or plug in their computer."

According to Celent, a research and consulting firm specializing in technology applications for financial services companies, approximately half of all customer calls to banking centers relate to basic services such as account balance inquiries and funds transfers. About half of the total calls come from mobile phones, and Mobile Banking offers these customers a quicker way to check balances and transfer funds between accounts. Celent expects approximately 35 percent of Internet banking households in the U.S. to use Mobile Banking by the end of 2010.

FirstBank's Mobile Banking customers can rest assured their account information is secure. A six-digit PIN is required to access the account information and account information isn't stored on the phone. All of the data stored on the phone is encrypted, so account information is secure even if a phone is lost or stolen.

To register for Mobile Banking, FirstBank customers log into their Internet Banking accounts. From the "Customer Service" tab, select "Mobile Banking"
and then "Enroll." The system then walks the user through a short registration process to identify which accounts he or she would like to link to the system. Users then download and install the Mobile Banking application on their mobile phone. Users must have Internet access through their mobile phones, and those enrolling in the program can view an updated list of carriers and phones compatible with the Mobile Banking system.

After users install the Mobile Banking application on their phones, they can select the program - typically through the "My Stuff" or "Games and Applications" menu on AT&T mobile phones - and follow the prompts to quickly and securely check their account balances and transfer funds between accounts.