M-banking is a secure mobile banking application which enables customers to make payments and transfer funds from their mobile phone. Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) will also be the first major bank in Australia to offer TXT Banking which means customers can check account balances and receive mini statements for up to three accounts at any time via SMS.
ANZ mobile phone banking will be available from February 11, 2008, free of charge until December 31, 2008, to all ANZ customers who register. Following this, ANZ will review the cost of the service.
ANZ group managing director of personal division, Brian Hartzer has confirmed that ANZ was the first bank to offer M-Banking in Australia and said it was modeled on successful mobile phone banking platforms overseas. He said it complements their existing channels including their branch and ATM network, internet banking and 24/7 call center.
Mr Hartzer added: More than 95% of Australians have a mobile phone so providing mobile phone banking is just another way we are making it more convenient and simple for our customers to do their banking. Australia also has one of the highest rates of technology adoption in the world, so we expect there will be demand for this service. Both M-Banking and TXT Banking are simple and easy to use, and mean customers can do their banking anytime and anywhere.