The new mobile services give customers the ability to receive account alerts through text messages, perform transfers between accounts, and check account balances while on the go. A dedicated application for the Apple iPhone will be available next month.

"Our mobile banking services - including mobile web and text messaging - are part of our commitment to make banking even more convenient. We want to empower customers to manage their finances whenever, wherever and however they choose," said Matt Macomber, Bank of the West Channel Executive. "We are already known for outstanding customer service, and these new capabilities give our customers a new channel to enjoy that great service."

The free mobile service is available to Bank of the West's online banking customers. Through texting, registered customers can send simple text commands, such as 'BAL' to request their account balances, to BKWST (or 25978). Using their phone browser, customers can also use mobile web to manage their finances at www.botw.com.

"Our new texting and mobile web banking services put us on the leading edge of mobile banking, and they provide a powerful foundation for future innovation," said Phillip Rogers, Head of Mobile Banking for Bank of the West. "Our mobile service was built to optimize the customer experience -- from best-in-class rendering that supports thousands of devices, to a full suite of applications that allows customers to manage their money quickly, easily and conveniently."

The capabilities that Bank of the West is providing to customers with its mobile service include the ability to check account balances, transfer funds, view transaction history, and receive account alerts on their mobile device.

In addition to the mobile Web and text banking services announced today, Bank of the West also recently launched a peer-to-peer payments service - POPMoney, allowing customers to use online banking to send money directly to individuals. POPMoney simplifies the money delivery process, eliminating the need for cash or checks, and enabling the sender to make payments using an email address, cell phone number or bank account information.