HSBC, First Direct launch mobile banking

HSBC and First Direct are going live with their mobile banking service in the U.K. today, which runs over GPRS and is available to 02, Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile, Virgin and Tesco subscribers. The new service enables users to access their bank accounts for mini-statements, balance inquiries and to top off their phone accounts. The companies say the service will result in a cost savings for the users because it will save them on ATM fees from rival banks.

For more on the mobile banking service:
- see this article from VNUnet