UK’s Largest Credit Card Provider Launches Mobile Banking Text Service

Filed Under Finance

Credit card provider MBNA has made it possible for customers to check their account information using text messages.

The new service launched by MBNA allows card-holders to check their balance, recent transactions and bill details all through a dedicated mobile short-code number – 83838 and all in a matter of seconds.

The MBNA brand is owned by the Bank of America and the text service is one of the first of its kind in the UK. When asked why the card provider introduced the feature, Ian Craig, Sales, Service and Operations executive for Bank of America Europe Card Services, said: “Our customers’ needs and expectations are changing — they want greater control and choice in managing their finances, and they want to do so in a way that fits their lifestyles.

“Newer technology, including mobile phone functionality, SMS, the Internet and voice recognition systems are transforming the way our customers expect us to interact with them. The Mobile Banking Text service is one of a number of exciting new improvements we will be making to our services.

“With this service, we are able to provide our customers with another way to bank that is simple, straightforward and puts their credit card information at their fingertips whenever they need it.”

To make sure all of the 5 million customers in the UK can take advantage of the convenient service, MBNA have made the Mobile Banking function available to all card-holders across their full range of credit cards. The card provider has also made sure that the text function is easy to use, as once a mobile phone number is registered to an account the user simply has to send ‘Bal’, ‘Trans’ or Bill’ to 83838 depending on what info they want.

As well as adding an increased level of convenience for customers, the Mobile Banking Text service is available at no extra charge, aside from standard network text fees. MBNA have also made sure that it will work with all SMS-enabled handsets in the UK.

In addition to the Mobile Banking function, the UK’s largest credit card provider has also recently introduced paperless billing for all customers who hold an online account. These two new services are available to all card-holders with more information available about mobile credit card banking and paperless banking online.

As if that wasn’t enough, MBNA has also made it possible for card-holders to activate their new credit cards online. This process is still available via a phone call but the online method offers a more convenient, 21st century solution; more information about credit card activation is available on the MBNA website.