First National Bank (FNB) and eBucks.com have extended instant mobile banking convenience to their more than 60 000 existing eBucks.com customers with the launch of Cellphone Banking via the Internet (WAP) and Cellphone Banking via secure SMS (WIG).

The successful completion of eBucks.com's pilot Cellphone Banking project last week has paved the way for a mobile rollout that is unique in the SA banking arena. Both Wireless Internet Gateway (WIG) technology through MTN's secure SMS service and network independent Cellphone Banking over the Internet (WAP) will now be available to First National Bank's customers for the first time.

The Cellphone Banking service is another innovative development by eBucks.com, the FNB's Internet Banking website, and will allow FNB's customers to access any of their accounts, check balances, make third party payments, change PIN numbers and transfer funds from one account to the other conveniently through their cellphones.

Wendy Lucas Bull, CEO of FNB Retail Bank said the offering of two Cellphone Banking services to FNB customers will enhance their banking experience by giving them 24 hour mobile access to their money through additional technology channels.

"The time is right strategically to adopt this technology across the bank and complement existing financial service channels like ATM's, First Direct Telephone Banking and the Internet. Because there are so many variations of handsets in the market FNB opted to not be handset, technology or network specific but rather give our customers the widest possible Cellphone Banking choice."

She said that FNB is the only SA bank to adopt both WIG and WAP technologies and offer customers the convenience and choice of both cellular technologies while also giving the bank potential access to over 8 million local cellphone users. "Customers can make use of the network independent Wireless Application Protocol to do their Cellphone Banking via the Internet and also have the option to bank by making use of new secure SMS (short messaging service) technology through MTN's Wireless Internet Gateway (WIG)."

Mobile banking technology expert Jacques Celliers said FNB and eBucks.com tested the product thoroughly in a pilot phase to ensure security and stability and anticipate any obstacles encountered by early mobile banking adopters.

"Any customer can register for FNB's Internet Banking at www.ebucks.com for a minimal monthly fee and quickly set themselves up for FNB Cellphone Banking without paying an added amount for either mobile banking option. All FNB Internet Banking customers need to do is add the mobile banking service of their choice to their personal Internet banking profile at no extra cost and follow a step by step process online to begin Cellphone Banking."

He added that FNB's cellphone banking over the Internet (WAP), contrary to prevailing opinion about WAP is faster than many consumers perceive. "First National Bank customers can benefit by banking from anywhere in the country if they have a WAP enabled phone which also has the advantage of being convenient and network independent. He added that WIG is also convenient because any existing phone that can send and receive SMS can be used for WIG mobile banking. This means a customer can bank wirelessly without having to invest in a WAP enabled phone.

"Most widely available cellphones are compatible with WIG banking, all a customer will require extra is a 32k SIM card which they can obtain from their nearest MTN service provider" he said. According to Celliers the ability to be able to do your banking via the cellphone appeals to people from all walks of life." Whether you are always on the road, very busy, or simply far away from a town or bank, the speed and ease of use of this service by FNB will appeal to you" he said. Celliers concluded that eBucks.com is excited to be playing a part in FNB's drive towards making new and convenient technologies available to the FNB customer.

About eBucks:

eBucks, the rewards programme offered by First National Bank (FNB) and RMB Private Bank, is acknowledged as one of South Africa's leading rewards programmes with highly active members spending in excess of 80% of the eBucks earned in any given month.