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Verizon debuts mobile banking app for BlackBerry

Verizon Wireless has launched a mobile banking application for customers with the BlackBerry Curve 8330, BlackBerry Pearl 8130 and BlackBerry 8830 World Edition smartphones.

Also available on a number of Get It Now-capable phones, the mobile banking app lets Verizon customers get account balances and transaction history, transfer funds between checking and savings and view and pay bills via their handset. Verizon Wireless customers must be account holders of a financial institution that offers mobile banking to enroll in the application.

"The spread of mobile banking clearly reflects a growing trend that people are using mobile phones for more than just making phone calls," said Michael Gartenberg, New York-based vice president and research director for JupiterResearch. "They're now pocket computers, so it's no surprise that more and more carriers and manufacturers are adding this type of functionality."

Wachovia, Regions, SunTrust, USAA, Synovus, America First Credit Union, Arvest, Bancorp South, FirstBank, South Financial and BECU currently offer mobile banking.

Once customers sign up for mobile banking through their financial institutions' online banking site, they will receive an eight-digit secure initialization code that will allow them to access the mobile banking application on their phones.

To get the mobile banking app, Verizon Wireless customers with one of the three compatible BlackBerry devices can go to the home screen on their handsets and select the BlackBerry Browser icon to go to the VZ Start home page. Once there, they can click on the mobile banking link to download the application.

The VZ Start home page can also be accessed by going to https://mobile.vzw.com from the browser.

There is no monthly charge for the application, although data charges may apply.

"It's very easy to use a BlackBerry's QWERTY keyboard, and it's better able to handle more advanced applications," Mr. Gartenberg said.

The mobile banking application has various security measures in place.

Security features include multi-factor authentication including initialization codes and six-digit PIN requirements, lockout after three invalid PIN entries, use of account nicknames instead of account numbers, encrypted transactions, time-out of applications after a certain time and lost device functionality, which disables the application.

Mobile banking is also available on a number of Get It Now-capable phones in the Tools on the Go shopping aisle of Verizon Wireless' Get It Now virtual store for no additional monthly charge.

Compatible phones include the Voyager and Venus by LG and LG VX9400, Motorazr maxx Ve and Motorazr2 V9m, Verizon Wireless FlipShot by Samsung, Verizon Wireless Juke by Samsung and Alias by Samsung.

Airtime or megabyte charges apply for sending and receiving data using Get It Now, depending on the plan. Customers need a Get It Now-enabled phone and Verizon Wireless digital service to access the Get It Now virtual store.

Verizon Wireless has also debuted Field Force Manager, a mobile resource management solution, for its business customers who use the BlackBerry Curve 8330. Compatibility with other BlackBerry smartphone models will eventually follow.

Field Force Manager is a turnkey wireless solution that combines Web-based applications with handsets to provide businesses management control over workers in the field.

Through the Web application, a business's main office can map locations of employees, jobs and other activities in real-time, schedule and dispatch jobs, and receive fleet, job and employee reports.

Field Force Manager also allows remote employees to submit timecards, customer and job completion information to the business office, plus get turn-by-turn driving directions to new jobs via their BlackBerry Curve.

The application gives managers the ability to capture customer service requests, dispatch field personnel and track job progress in near real-time.

Apps in others' laps
These new applications come at a time of stiff competition between carriers and manufacturers.

Apple is offering a mobile banking app for the iPhone App Store to build its business clientele, while Research In Motion and Microsoft are working on the consumer space.

"RIM getting the Facebook application onto BlackBerry handsets was important for young people and college grads continuing on into the workplace," Mr. Gartenberg said.

RIM has added music features for some of its handsets, while Windows Mobile devices can now sync music directly from iTunes, both intended to appeal to the average consumer.

"We're watching Research In Motion and Apple moving in each other's orbits," Mr. Gartenberg said. "Apple never used to target the business market, RIM never used to be concerned about the average consumer, but with the Bold and Pearl, it's placed an emphasis on form and user-friendly functionality.

"RIM has developed cameras and media synchronization, so consumers can put music on your BlackBerry, which is an obvious nod to the consumer," he said.

"At the same time, Apple is supporting things like exchange and offering things for the business market in an attempt to get on the approved lists of corporate IT departments."

While RIM's BlackBerry and Microsoft's Windows Mobile devices are available on most major carriers, including Verizon Wireless, while Apple has an exclusive agreement with AT&T.

"These Web-enable handsets can support a vast number of apps, from gaming and productivity to specialized communication and collaboration, and right now developers are only scratching the tip of the iceberg," Mr. Gartenberg said.

"People building software apps want to be platforms and they want developers on board, because each new app gives consumers another reason to buy that device," he said.

"Because no one platform dominated, Apple, Research In Motion, Microsoft, et cetera, are all courting developers to come up with cool new apps and extended functionality, because that's what gets people to buy these phones."