"Our customers deserve the best banking services available, and in today's mobile world, that includes the ability to bank from anywhere you happen to be," says Denis O'Leary, head of Chase.com. "Tantau's Wireless Internet platform is the major building block in our efforts to seamlessly integrate Chase's wired and wireless online transaction infrastructure."

Beginning early next year, Chase customers will be able to use the system to transfer data to and from any WAP (wireless application protocol)-enabled cellular phone, laptop computer or personal digital assistant using any wireless carrier. The Tantau platform enables Chase to maintain a direct link with its customers, versus an environment in which all transactions must go through a service provider's proprietary gateway, or portal.

Several wholesale and retail businesses within Chase plan to begin offering wireless services beginning in the first quarter of 2001. Functions will include account access, e-mail, Web access and location based services, such as locating convenient ATMs, says the bank.

Financial institutions will be the major drivers behind the adoption of wireless Internet technology in the US according to a recent IntelliQuest research study, commissioned by Tantau. Eighty percent of wireless device users in the study indicated they would not use mobile devices for financial transactions if not provided with a completely secure network through which the transaction is processed. And, 75 percent of respondents indicated they would be less likely to use wireless to connect to the Internet if personalised services were not available.