Alliance & Leicester extends m-banking service in the UK

Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank has announced the launch of a mobile banking service for business customers provided by MONILINK.

The new m-banking service will enable small business customers to check the balance of their accounts, request mini-statements and even top-up pre-pay mobile phones directly from their bank accounts, safely and securely - whenever they want and wherever they are in the world.

The expansion of the MONILINK service, which was rolled out to Alliance & Leicester's personal current account customers in January 2007, illustrates the bank's commitment to customer service innovation for all its customers. In particular, it will provide business customers, especially those who don't work from a fixed location, with the ability always to know if they have been paid, when a cheque has cleared, or if an upcoming payment is due.

This secure service is protected by a personal passcode and any information displayed on the phone is automatically deleted. No personal details are stored on the handset itself, ensuring that information remains completely secure, even if the handset is lost or stolen.

“Our new mobile banking service is the natural next step, complementing our award winning business current account products perfectly,” says Steve Jennings, director, business banking, Alliance & Leicester. “Small business owners are understandably focused on building their businesses, and therefore, convenience is key to helping them to manage their finances.”

“Our customers will have the facility of being able to access the new service and receive up to date information on their business account at a time which suits them and the needs of their business,” Jennings adds. “Alliance & Leicester already offers internet and telephone banking and our customers are able to carry out their everyday banking transactions at any of our branches or via the 14,000 UK Post Offices.”

The service is available immediately and will be free for Alliance & Leicester customers until 31 August 2008. From 1 September 2008 a set monthly fee of just £1.50 will apply allowing customer's access to the service as many times they wish each month. To start using this service, existing customers simply register their details via www.alliance-leicestercommercialbank.co.uk/mobile.