Monitise plc, global leaders in Mobile Money solutions, has today launched the first iPhone mobile banking app in the Republic of Ireland, in partnership with Ulster Bank.
The app, which uses Monitise's world-leading iPhone app platform, will enable the bank to deliver mobile banking services to its customers in the Republic of Ireland.
The app, which can be downloaded from today for free from Apple's App Store, delivers a suite of services including:
• Balance checks - giving people their account balance in a matter of seconds
• Mini-statements - allowing people to track purchases or payments in an instant
• Automatic text alerts - highlighting salary payments or overdraft warnings, for example
The app's launch demonstrates the commitment by Ulster Bank Ireland to provide better banking services for its customers and gives them much greater access and control over their bank accounts.
In addition to the iPhone app, Monitise and Ulster Bank plan to launch a range of SMS-based mobile banking options for customers in the Republic of Ireland in October this year.
The launch builds on Monitise's track record of successful Mobile Money iPhone apps, already developed and released in the UK and USA for a number of banks and financial institutions.
Alastair Lukies, chief executive officer of Monitise, said: "We are very proud to have launched, with Ulster Bank, the first app of this type in the Republic of Ireland.
"It will give their customers instant access and control over their finances - and peace of mind that they can check their bank accounts anytime, anywhere.
"Mobile banking is now part of the mainstream of modern banking and we're delighted to be at the heart of its collaborative development around the world.
"Our technology is trusted by some of the world's largest organisations including VISA, many of the UK's high street banks, and over 200 financial institutions in total around the world."
Glynis Hobson, head of Direct Banking at Ulster Bank, said: "Earlier this year we asked our customers about the product and service improvements they'd most like to see from Ulster Bank.
"When customers told us that told utoltold us that they would value a text service which would help them avoid being overdrawn on their account, we decided to make that a reality with a new iPhone app. This means our customers can take action to avoid unnecessary charges."
She added: "We chose Monitise for our app because it is a leader in mobile banking services and we knew it could deliver the range of benefits and services we are committed to giving our customers."
Monitise's services run on its Mobile Money Manager technology platform which delivers a state-of-the-art customer experience including intuitive navigation, cutting edge design and fast responses, all uniquely in a bank grade environment.
The services can be used on over 2,700 different types of handset, including smart phones, which let customers get bank balance alerts, transfer money and make payments.
Recent research by the Future Foundation, the think tank, reveals the view that the mobile banking revolution is well underway, with 30 per cent growth in the market in 2009.