.mobi HSBC bank runs myfd.mobi for its First Direct mobile banking.

[owntype]

Internet bank staff face up to customers

Greg Wright
Deputy Business Editor

YOU'VE heard their dulcet tones, and soon you could be staring into their faces.

Leeds-based telephone and internet bank First Direct has signed a deal with mobile phone network 3 which will make banking much more personal.
Customers will be able to 'video call' their bank from their mobile phone, which means they will be able to see the call centre staff dealing with their query, and vice versa.

First Direct's customer representatives will take their first video calls this week.

The video call centre initiative is part of a mobile banking pilot, starting this week, to find out what British consumers want from mobile phone banking.
For the pilot, First Direct text message banking customers have been equipped with mobile phones that run on 3's 3G network – the largest of its type in Britain.

To support the trial, First Direct and 3 have created Britain's first made-for-mobile banking website.

The website – at www.myfd.mobi – is also one of the first to use the .mobi domain, which means it has been developed for consumers wanting to access the mobile internet.

First Direct chief executive Chris Pilling said: "First Direct customers will be the first in Britain to try out video banking from their mobile.

"We're always keen to pioneer the future of money but want consumers to help us shape the future. When would they find a video call to their bank useful?

"Do they like the idea of a mobile-friendly money website? Our aim is to create services that use cutting- edge technology to meet real customer needs."
First Direct, which is part of HSBC, employs 2,800 people at its base in Stourton, near Leeds.

http://www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=56&ArticleID=1871151

 

[sags]

Interesting that even though they own firstdirect.com and firstdirect.mobi, they chose to use myfd.mobi for their wireless website. They must feel the shorter the better. That may be an indication of where the future of mobi lies. Companies with long names will be looking for acronymns.

 

[dochlaggie]

Wonderful news for all mobi owners.
Thanks

 

[izo-pod]

Companies with long names will be looking for acronymns.

Bingo! We have a winner!

As I've said before, short .mobi's have a very bright future.

 

[erwin.groen]

Hi

Regarding the Banking sector, I live in Australia, and all the major Banks have quickly snapped up their three letter domains: the ANZ, NAB, Commbank, ING. as well as others. Why did they snap these up because they know there is a future in mobile banking!!!

 

[-db-]

Why did they snap these up because they know there is a future in mobile banking!!!

Or they just want to make sure nobody else gets them. Big companies often register domains in non-mainstream extensions as a 'defensive' move, to protect their name and trademark.

I'm not saying they might not plan to use/develop them, but just because they registered them doesn't necessarily mean they have positive feelings about the extension, or it's future.

 

[erwin.groen]

That is true! My mistake i should have put my thoughts on where the mobi ext will take the Banking sector-i believe on peoples' phones. The National Australia Bank recently started using acronym NAB in their ad campaigns. With The Commonwealth Bank they now use COMMBANK. I'm agreeing with saqs comments that the banks want short n sweet names to promote themselves

 

[domaindigger]

First Direct chief executive Chris Pilling said: "First Direct customers will be the first in Britain to try out video banking from their mobile.

Damnit, VideoBanking.mobi is already taken...