"At a time when the 'I want it now' state of mind is prevalent, banks need to provide customers with an easy to use, convenient and ubiquitous mobile banking solution giving customers the account information they need anytime, anywhere. SMS doesn't require loading, discovery initiating or learning - just type, send and receive. Needing to keep existing customers and looking to acquire new market share, Banks must offer a simple, relevant mobile solution - today." Pieter de Villiers, CEO of Clickatell

Clickatell has been instrumental in enabling leading financial institutions to roll out mobile components to their banking services. In South Africa, First National Bank (FNB), used Clickatell's mobile-enabling products to allow their customers to conduct bank transactions as well as make third party purchases for prepaid airtime and electricity from their mobile phones. FNB was able to cut across all geographical and demographical limitations with this mobile banking strategy; South Africa has over 90% mobile phone penetration as opposed to a much more limited landline and Internet access.

FNB expanded its market presence to neighbouring countries Namibia and Botswana through a SMS 'InContact' service that allowed their international customers to receive secure SMS alerts and notifications of transactions on their accounts. The benefits to FNB were remarkable, they made savings by using SMS instead of phone calls thus increasing their revenue while decreasing their costs; they dramatically reduced incidences of fraud and thus saw an increase in customer satisfaction and therefore retention. They have increased their brand recognition and therefore acquired new customers. They now have a competitive advantage over other financial institutions in Southern Africa. Read the FNB case study here. Still in Africa, New Heights Microfinance Bank Ltd, Nigeria depends on Clickatell to deploy their mobile messaging services. Many of their customers are not able to reach a physical branch, make phone calls, or log onto the Internet, but do have access to a mobile phone. SMS text alerts give customers the ability to keep a watchful eye over their finances anytime, anywhere. They chose to use Clickatell for the global reach and critical messaging services provided. For more information on mobile banking in South Africa, click here.

S1 Enterprise, another Clickatell client, together with 100 US-based banks helps over three million consumer, small business and corporate users with accessing and managing financial information. And Postilion works with over 1,500 banks in over 50 countries to enable self-service transactions with the help of Clickatell's award-winning mobile-enabling products.

SMS alerts are providing foreign exchange traders - such as Easy-Forex® who operate in over 150 countries, with an online currency trading platform. This platform gives Forex traders, of all levels, up-to-the-minute information, including foreign exchange rate alerts, limit order status, deal closure notifications, and more. In any FX market, currency exchange rates and deal status fluctuate throughout the day, and traders must be aware and stay informed at all times in order to make smart trading decisions. Traditionally, many foreign exchange traders access market rate information, limit order and deal status updates through PCs, laptops and landline phones. It is vital that FX traders are able to respond to changing market conditions wherever they are - in meetings, away from their desks, on the road or while multi-tasking. With the rise in volatility of exchange rates occurring across global markets and the fact that nearly everyone carries a mobile phone with them, now is the opportune time to capitalize on up-to-the-minute FX trading opportunities - anytime and anywhere. For more information about mobile financial services in the US, click here.

Working with Clickatell as a mobile messaging provider, one of Europe's largest online payment systems, Moneybookers recently announced that eWallet customers could now receive text notifications on their mobile phones to confirm the purchasing of goods, wiring of money transfers and mailing of goods. This allows customers to immediately cancel unwanted transactions and have a real-time overview of what is happening with their accounts.

From Africa to Australia, the United Kingdom to the America's, Clickatell has helped banks and payment institutions all over the world increase their banking security, reduce their fraud incidences by up to 43%, reduce their costs and keep and acquire new clients. Which of our mobile message-enabling banking products would work for you?