HSBC starts cell phone banking

HSBC starts cell phone banking

JAKARTA (JP): Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC)
launched here on Wednesday a new service enabling customers to
make banking transactions through the short message system (SMS)
on their cellular phones.

Lily Budiono, HSBC's senior vice president financial services,
said that the service, called HSBC PonselBanking, is available
through cellular operator PT Telkomsel.

The technology is supported by IBM and Singapore-based eMobile
Pte. Ltd., and includes security guarantees for the conducting of
transactions, she explained.

Lily said that the new service allowed the bank's customers to
check their accounts and credit card balances, transfer funds,
and also get information on conversion rates.

"We hope that at least 10,000 of our 40,000 personal customers
will use the service," she told reporters after the launching.

HSBC will open two branches next month in Pluit, North Jakarta
and Surabaya respectively as part of the seven branches to be
opened this year.

Lily said that the bank would also start providing Internet
banking services later this year to further facilitate its
customers. (05)