The service is available for free for Webster checking customers who are enrolled in online banking. Users can view accounts and balances, monitor transactions and transfer money and pay bills.

“Our goal is to provide our customers with superior customer service, and one of the strategies we use to attain that goal is to give our customers different ways to bank with us on their terms,” said Greg Jacobi, senior vice president of eBanking at Webster Bank, Providence, RI.

“We’ve noticed an increase in the number of customers using their mobile devices to access their online accounts,” he said. “Mobile banking product provides them with an easier way to do that and a better customer experience.”

Webster Bank provides business and consumer banking, mortgage, financial planning, trust and investment services through 181 banking offices, 497 ATMs, mobile banking, the customer care center, and the Internet.

Mobile banking
Users can access the mobile site by entering http://www.websterbank.com or http://www.websteronline.mobi on their mobile browser.

Then, customers can type in their user name, answer the challenge questions and enter their password to access their account.

“Mobile is a great way to make banking convenient for our customers,” Mr. Jacobi said. “Especially this time of year, when people are on the go and don’t have easy access to a computer.

“We’re using the full complement of communication channels available to us – everything from public relations to billboards, email notifications, direct mail, and tagging the television ads, which we will be running in January,” he said.

Mobile security
For added security, the service lets customers register their smartphone just as they would their computer.
Once enrolled, all accounts in the customer’s online profile, including deposit, loan, and credit card account balances, are accessible.

Additionally, customers can pay bills to any payee already established in their online profile.

Webster Bank is currently looking at possibly rolling out applications.

“Yes,” Mr. Jacobi said. “Our first step was to introduce this product, which gives the broadest access to customers, regardless of the type of mobile phone they use.

“Our next step will be to develop apps, but we don’t have a timeframe for that yet,” he said. “We’re going to allow our customers to drive that process by listening to their wants and needs and responding accordingly.”

Final Take
Rimma Kats is editorial assistant on Mobile Commerce Daily, New York.