This is the first real-time remittance service to China and OCBC Bank is also the first and only bank in Singapore to tie up with CUP to offer such a remittance service.

Tapping on the payment infrastructure operated by NETS, OCBC Bank customers in Singapore can now remit money at any time of the day to beneficiaries in China through OCBC Mobile Banking and more than 400 OCBC ATMs island-wide.

The beneficiary also enjoys the convenience of having the money credited immediately to his bank account in China, instead of the usual three to five days' waiting time that conventional remittance services typically require.

"While remittance is not a new service, we are adding it to our existing Mobile Banking and ATM service platforms in recognition of how today's consumer banks on-the-go," explained Mr Patrick Chew, Senior Vice President and Head of Delivery, Group Consumer Financial Services, OCBC Bank.

Going forward, Mr Chew, revealed that OCBC Bank also plans to eventually roll out this innovative and convenient remittance service to different countries, extending the reach of EasiRemit beyond China.

Mr Chew explained, "The ATM is the most popular customer touch point, which is why we believe in moving ATMs beyond cash withdrawals and deposits. By offering remittance service at the ATMs, we are empowering our customers to make use of this channel at their own convenience."

By adding this service to our mobile banking platform, we are bringing innovation to a higher level of true convenience. Customers can literally make remittances anytime, anywhere via their mobile-phones, without leaving their homes or workplaces.

"This reaffirms our commitment to continuously offer convenient banking solutions to match our customers' lifestyle and financial needs. We are very pleased to partner CUP to kick off this service," he added.

EasiRemit will be launched with four CUP member banks namely Bank of Shanghai, Dongguan Rural Credit Cooperatives Union, Fujian Rural Credit Union and Hunan Rural Credit Union. Together, these four banks have a collective CUP card base of 7.5 million in China.

Beneficiaries from these four banks can now use their CUP debit or credit cards, to withdraw cash at close to 500,000 CUP ATMs globally and over 7,000 bank branches located in China. They can also use their cards to make purchases at over 870,000 CUP merchant outlets worldwide.

Other banks which will be included in the programme soon include key players such as Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of Communications and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.

Commenting on CUP's collaboration with OCBC bank, Mr James Yang, Chief Representative, CUP, Singapore Branch said, "OCBC Bank is known in the region as a leading bank that leverages on cutting-edge technology to develop dynamic and efficient banking channels to serve its customers. Naturally, OCBC is the ideal partner to work with as we explore new ways to harness technology to meet the needs of CUP cardholders and Chinese expatriates all over the world."

"This is one of the most innovative products that CUP has introduced in South East Asia since our representative office's incorporation in August 2006. I certainly look forward to deepening our partnership with OCBC in other areas," added Mr Yang.

According to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Manpower, foreign employment rose by 144,500, a record high in 2007. As of December last year, 900,800 (33%) of 2.73 million individuals employed in Singapore are foreign workers. Therefore, one out of every three workers here is a non-Singaporean. These numbers are expected to rise to continually enable the local economy to grow beyond the limitations of the local workforce.

"As Singapore continues to grow as a global business hub, more foreign talents including but not limiting to Chinese expatriates will be making their way here. Correspondingly, there will be an increase in demand for convenient and cost effective remittance services. With EasiRemit, OCBC is ready to meet that need and will continue to develop enhancements to our mobile banking and ATM platforms to serve our customers better," said Mr Chew.