HSBC and First Direct sign for mobile banking

HSBC and its First Direct subsidiary are to roll out new mobile banking services to customers later this year.

MoniLink, a joint venture between cash machine network LINK and tech firm Morse, has signed a deal covering both brands for the service, which will see bank customers able to view mini statements and balance enquiries.

Would-be mobile bankers will be able to access the service by downloading a Java application to their phone.

To use the phone banking application, customers will need to have registered and authenticated themselves and will have to enter their security details every time they wish to check their account, using a similar process to online banks' logon.

In the event a mobile is stolen, the application will be automatically locked and wiped, a MoniLink spokesman said.