First Direct, the UK-based remote banking subsidiary of HSBC, has launched an integrated text messaging and WAP banking service for mobile phone users.
The new offering builds on the launch of the bank's short messaging service (SMS) for roving account information which has already attracted 50,000 users. The integrated WAP/SMS package will enable customers to transfer money between accounts and make bill payments, as well as to view balances and transactions on their First Direct accounts, from their phone screen.
For example, customers alerted by SMS that they are reaching their current account overdraft limit can now use the new WAP facility to transfer money between their accounts to avoid going overdrawn.
The service is being offered free to any First Direct customer with either a Nokia 7110 or Siemens c35i WAP phone, both of which support the requisite 128-bit security encryption.