AT&T Launches Mobile Banking
SAN ANTONIO-AT&T last week launched what it called an easy-to-use mobile banking platform that enables consumers to view account balances and history, transfer funds and pay bills from their AT&T mobile handsets.
The new platform is initially available to Wachovia and SunTrust Bank customers and is based on mobile banking and payment platforms from Firethorn Holdings and Checkfree. The mobile banking application will be pre-loaded on future AT&T handsets beginning later this year.
The companies said the solution is easier for users to find because it is embedded on the handsets, adding that the application is also available for download on more than 30 of AT&T's handsets-representing approximately 30 million devices.
Customers first sign up at their financial institution's online banking website and are issued a one-time initialization code. After accessing mobile banking on the AT&T handset, customers use the code to link their account to the mobile application on their device. Customers then create their own PIN to provide secure access to the application. All data is encrypted, and customers can deactivate the service immediately if handsets are misplaced.
AT&T said its customers pay no additional fee to access mobile banking. Minimal data usage charges apply and vary based on individual use. AT&T is recommending a data plan (starting at $9.99 a month) for customers who plan to use mobile banking and other data services frequently.
IFCU Launches New Website
ORLANDO-Insight Financial CU has introduced a new website that features a login area to home banking on every page, so members can access their accounts from anywhere within the site.
The new site also offers another way to learn about financial decisions through a series of educational podcasts, MoneyPods, designed to provide information on a variety of topics that affect everyone's financial life.
New Insight Financial MoneyPods will be added to the site twice each month, on the 1st and 15th. Users can either listen to the podcast on their computer directly through the website or they can download it to an iPod or other MP3 player for learning on the go.
MoneyPods are free to anyone who visits the website at www.InsightAccounts.com.
