BB&T says the three-phase roll out of its m-banking system is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2008. Services will include two-way SMS messaging and mobile Web access as well as mobile banking applications.

The bank is implementing a combined system comprising of ClairMail's mobile banking and payments platform and mFoundry's Spotlight application, which enables users to check account balances, view transactions, transfer funds and locate branches and ATMs.

The combined package delivers a single implementation all three user interface types available for mobile banking, commerce and payments, say the vendors.

The technology will also be securely integrated with BB&T's existing record systems and enable two-way services such as account management, fraud mitigation and "no-hold" customer service.

Furthermore, ClairMail's alerting engine will be integrated with BB&T's core systems to enable customers to set up text alerts if their balance is low, a cheque clears, they are approaching their overdraft limit and when withdrawals and deposits are made.

Drew Sievers, CEO, mFoundry, says: "MFoundry's feature-rich application combined with the ClairMail messaging, mobile web and two-way capabilities will give BB&T one clear and easy solution."

BB&T is the latest in a number of US banks to implement mobile banking services.

Last month Chase said it had launched a SMS-based banking service to enable customers to access account information using their mobile hand sets. Meanwhile earlier this year Bank of America launched a mobile banking service that lets customers check account balances, pay bills and transfer money through Internet-enabled phone. Citi and Wells Fargo have also launched m-banking applications this year.

Research released by Frost & Sullivan last month predicted that the number of users of mobile banking services in the US will reach 21.27 million by 2010. However a previous projection from Boston-based consultancy Aite suggested that mobile banking numbers in the US would rise from 1.6 million in 2007 to 35 million by year-end 2010.