Thousands of Northern Ireland consumers can now keep track of their bank accounts via their mobile phones. Ulster Bank, the first of the big four bank’s in Northern Ireland, has today launched a mobile phone banking service, which promises customers access to their account details in an even more instant and convenient way.

Ulster Bank customers signing up to the new service will be able to access their account balance and view mini-statements on their mobile phone. Plus they can look forward to more banking services being added in the future to allow them even greater control on their finances.

Ulster Bank’s Head of Retail Direct, Michael McKavanagh says: “Most people now have mobile phones and use them to perform an ever-more diverse range of functions, including listening to music, accessing the internet or taking and sending photographs. We are in the midst of a mobile phone revolution which will see mobile phones become even more central to our lives.”

"The introduction of mobile phone banking, which is intended to provide our customers with more choice and greater convenience, is a logical step and will complement our extensive branch and ATM network and internet banking service.

"Whether our customers are working, eating out, shopping or on the move, they can now check to ensure they have enough money to spend, which will allow them to better manage their finances. They can also view mini-statements which will show which payments have either gone into or out of the account," Michael adds.

The secure service does not store any data on servers or on the phone. Only a registered handset that is linked to the account can be used to access account information using the customer’s personal Passcode. The software is free and there is no monthly or annual fee. Ulster Bank customers will be able to use the service for free until 2008, at which point the standard MonilinkTM usage charges will apply.

Ulster Bank customers can request the service by registering via www.ulsterbank.co.uk/mpb . They will be sent instructions on how to download the necessary software to their phone and be asked to choose their personal Passcode which will be required every time they access the service. The download is specific to the customers particular phone, so it will not work if a fraudster tried to transfer it to another phone.

The service will be provided by MONILINK which is a joint venture between VocaLINK, the operator of the UK ATM network, and Monitise plc.


ENDS

Media contact:
- Frances McIvor, Ulster Bank: 028 9027 6208, 078 7677 8601 or frances.mcivor@ulsterbank.com


- Chris Harrison, JPR: 028 9076 0066, 077 6641 7550 or chris.harrison@jprni.com



Notes to editor:

About Ulster Bank Group
Ulster Bank Group is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) Group, one of the world's largest banking groups in the world. RBS employs 145,000 people of which 6,380 work for the Ulster Bank Group.

Following the acquisition of First Active in January 2004, and together with Ulster Bank, the enlarged Ulster Bank Group consists of 272 branches, 32 Business Centres, more than 1.7 million customers and over 1000 ATM’s.

Ulster Bank Group received an 02 ability Award in February 2006 for the second year running. This was awarded for demonstrating innovative best practice in the employment of people with disabilities.*

*The O2 ability award programme has been designed and created by the Aisling Foundation and organised in partnership with access ability. It is the very first Irish business award for the best practice in the employment of people with disabilities.