Fifth Third Bancorp has begun offering a mobile banking service using the 53.mobi Web domain, becoming the first user of a two-character domain naming system that is administered by mTLD Ltd.'s dotMobi registration service, the two companies said Tuesday.
The Cincinnati banking company rolled out its mobile service in select markets last month and is planning to introduce it in the rest of its 12-state region later this month.
Users can view account balances and pending and posted transactions, transfer funds and find nearby Fifth Third branches and automated teller machines. Customers can also sign up to receive text-message alerts about their account balances, statement availability and other significant events.
mLTD is based in Dublin. In addition to the registration service, it offers technology designed to help registry participants optimize their Web sites for the small screens and keyboards of handheld devices.
The company says the shorter domain names are more convenient and highly sought by banks and other companies eager to make content and services widely available through handheld devices.
Fifth Third said the 53.mobi domain complements its standard online banking site desktop and laptop computers, 53.com.
