by Elaine Larkin
AIB customers who are also customers of Esat Digifone can now access their bank accounts through WAP phones. With the expansion of the AIB Internet banking service to WAP, customers can view their balance and their last six transactions on both bank and credit card accounts. Within the next four weeks the service will be extended to enable customers to transfer funds and pay bills.The new service uses a standard user identification process, so customers only need a single registration number and access code to use any of AIB’s Internet, telephone, GSM mobile and now WAP banking services.
Developed in conjunction with Esat Digifone, the interactive banking WAP service will initially be available only through the Digifone On-Line WAP portal. Esat Digifone has 38% of the Irish mobile market. It is currently talking to other operators about launching the same service with them, said David Roberts, AIB Internet marketing manager. AIB already operates a SMS banking service in association with Eircell. But it provides an information service only.
In the last month this service was extended to Eircell's pre-paid GSM mobile phone users. AIB also offers a WAP-based information service to homebuyers, which provides mortgage quotations and approvals in principal.
