Global banking group Citibank is to launch
Citi Text Banking, a service which allows its bank and credit card
customers in the US to receive account updates by text
messages.
Customers send a text message to Citibank with
a short command to receive a text message back containing the
account information they requested.
The Citi Text Banking service is available for
all Citi credit card accounts and for Citibank accounts linked to a
Citibank ATM or debit card, including checking and savings
accounts, home equity lines and loans, and mortgages.
“With two-thirds of US cell phone owners
already using text messaging, this gives our customers one more way
to stay connected to their accounts,” said Liza Landsman, managing
director, internet and mobile, Citi North America consumer.
“Customers can see recent activity, find out
when their next credit card payment is due, or make sure they have
enough in checking before making a debit card purchase.“
The Text Banking service is the latest addition to Citi’s mobile
banking platform, Citi Mobile. It includes a downloadable app for
iPhone users and a mobile version of citi.com that customers can
access from their smartphones’ browser.
In a bid to protect its customers from fraud Citi claims no
personal information is stored on the mobile phone and full account
numbers are not revealed.
While Citibank does not charge customers for its Text
Banking service, carrier text-messaging fees may apply.
