VERIZON WIRELESS LAUNCHES MOBILE BANKING SERVICES FROM LEADING FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Verizon Wireless,
the nation’s leading wireless company with the nation’s most
reliable wireless voice and data network, and mobile banking and payments
enabler Firethorn Holdings, LLC (www.firethornmobile.com),
a Qualcomm company (NASDAQ: QCOM), announced today that customers of major
financial institutions, including Wachovia, SunTrust, FirstBank, and
BancorpSouth, now have access to their accounts in the palms of their
hands. 

 

With Verizon Wireless’ mobile banking offering powered
by Firethorn, customers can now access and manage their financial relationships
while on-the-go for a seamless, real-time and secure user experience, including
checking bank account balances, transferring funds between accounts within the
same bank, and reviewing and paying bills for those bills already set up
through the financial institution’s online account service. 

 

The Firethorn application is secure and utilizes both PIN
and device lock-out capabilities, which are in addition to the security that is
already incorporated by the financial institution.  As another layer of
security, customers will need to register with their financial
institution’s online banking service in order to use mobile
banking. 

 

Verizon senior vice president of consumer products Jim
Straight said, “After announcing our relationship with Firethorn two
months ago, we’re making mobile banking a reality for our
customers.  And whether our customers prefer to bank at Wachovia,
SunTrust, FirstBank or BancorpSouth, they can now do so wherever they go because
Firethorn and their financial institution partners provide a secure,
easy-to-use and flexible mobile banking application that delivers a superior
customer experience.”

 

Financial institutions that have joined the Firethorn
network include: Wachovia (NYSE: WB), SunTrust Bank (NYSE: STI), Regions
Financial (NYSE: RF), BancorpSouth (NYSE: BXS), Synovus (NYSE: SNV), FirstBank,
Arvest Bank, and America First Credit Union.

 

Firethorn chief executive officer Tripp Rackley said,
“Viewing balances, making transfers and paying bills on-the-go is an
exciting first step for millions of Verizon Wireless customers.  Together
with Verizon Wireless and our financial partners, we are helping to define the
market for mobile financial services.”

 

The Firethorn application is currently available on several
phones from Verizon Wireless, including the Chocolate and enV by LG, LG VX8700,
LG VX8600, LG VX9400, and the Samsung SCH-a950.  The companies expect to
make the application available on additional devices in the coming months. 
Verizon Wireless customers can find the Firethorn application in the Get Going
or Tools on the Go virtual shopping aisle of the Get It Now^®
virtual store by clicking on “Get New App” and then
“Business/Tools.”

 

The mobile banking application is free, but application
download, usage or megabyte charges may apply.  Customers should check
with their financial institution for availability and instructions on how to
access their accounts through the mobile banking application.

 

For more information about Verizon Wireless products and
services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN
or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

 

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable
wireless voice and data network, serving 63.7 million customers. The largest U.S. wireless company and largest wireless data
provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J.,
with 68,000 employees nationwide. The company is a joint venture of Verizon
Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD).  Find more
information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com.
To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution
stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless
Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

 

About Firethorn

Firethorn Holdings, LLC, now a Qualcomm company (Nasdaq:
QCOM), is the preferred mobile financial services enabler supported by the
nation’s leading financial institutions, mobile network operators,
merchants, retailers and brands. Firethorn integrates text- and application-based
banking, bill payment, remote and proximity payments, coupons, marketing,
ticketing and peer-to-peer transfers into a cohesive, interactive system
– the Mobile Consumer Wallet. As a neutral, inclusive third-party
provider, Firethorn is focused on building the premier mobile banking and
payments ecosystem – the Firethorn Network. Firethorn Network partners
gain the ability to improve customer retention, generate revenue and enhance
brand equity.