Press Release
BPI Teams Up with SMART to Provide Users Full Mobile Banking
[Sept. 29, 2009/ Manila] - Bank of the Philippine Islands clients who are SMART Buddy, SMART Gold, and Infinity Subscribers will now be able to enjoy the convenience of doing a wide range of bank transactions anytime, anywhere through their mobile phones. The new BPI-SMART Full-Mobile Banking includes features such as balance inquiry, fund transfers, bills payment, SMART prepaid airtime reloading and SMART Money reloading.
“It’s like having the bank in your cellphone. With your SMART SIM, you will be able to access your BPI accounts 24x7, wherever you are, whenever you want, even when you are on-the-go,” says Teresita B. Tan, BPI Senior Vice President and Head of Overseas Banking and Channels Services.
The BPI-SMART Full-Mobile Banking is a huge upgrade for BPI clients who are SMART subscribers as Balance Inquiry transaction was previously the only function that can be used through the Key-Based Mobile Banking Facility. Boasting of more powerful features, the BPI-SMART Full-Mobile Banking facility utilizes a user-friendly menu that provides ease and convenience for users.
“It is really part of BPI’s commitment to take advantage of alternative channels to make banking more convenient for our clients. The menu-driven BPI-SMART Full-Mobile Banking is banking made easy,” says BPI President Aurelio Montinola III.
Napoleon L. Nazareno, President and CEO of PLDT and SMART says that “SMART sees bright prospects for mobile commerce in the Philippines. As the country’s leading telco, we have adopted the fundamental strategy of providing relevant communication solutions and mobile security infrastructure to our partner banks.”
“We are confident that this partnership with BPI, the country’s pioneer in electronic banking, will result in an expanded, more secure and more convenient mobile banking experience for millions of SMART and BPI customers,” Nazareno added.
To enroll for mobile banking, clients must have at least one ATM-based BPI deposit account. BPI credit cards will be immediately tagged when ATM-based deposit account is applied.
Enrollment for mobile banking can be completed within three easy steps. Clients can use SMS to enroll their accounts by texting ENROLL <account #> <JAI> and sending to 3274. Instructions on how to activate account via ATM will then be sent via SMS. ATM activation is essential for security purposes – to make sure of client’s identity. As soon as the ATM activation is processed, the client will then receive a 6-digit Mobile PIN (MPIN). To activate the menu-based BPI-SMART Full Mobile Banking, the user will need to change the MPIN.
“We have taken the necessary steps to ensure that the BPI-SMART Full-Mobile Banking facility is secure for our users. Without the MPIN, no one apart from the user can conduct transactions. Also the SMART Super SIM has encrypting technology with makes transactions such as mobile banking invulnerable to copying of important data,” says Jojo M. Malolos, SMART Group Head for Financial Services.
The BPI-SMART Full-Mobile Banking makes it convenient for BPI clients to pay bills such as electricity, water and cable bills without going through the hassle of lining up at payment counters. With over 200 enrolled merchants, BPI has the widest network of bill payments partners in the country.
Reloading of SMART Buddy & Talk ‘N Text prepaid accounts can also be conducted through the BPI-SMART Full-Mobile Banking Facility. Users can send prepaid load to their family members and friends which will be debited from their enrolled BPI account.
For more information on the BPI-SMART Full-Mobile Banking facility and its features, you may log on to BPI's official website http://www.bpiexpressonline.com/ or the microsite http://www.thumbworld.com.ph.
