Mobile Banking and Internet Banking

Mobile Banking and Internet Banking

As smartphones have already usurped the place of digital camera and voice recorders, soon it will double up as virtual debit cards. It enables to send or receive money instantly without any plastic cards.

Mobile Banking

Mobile banking is another form of net banking. The term mobile banking (also called m-banking) refers to the services provided by the bank to the customer to conduct banking transactions with the aid of mobile phones. These transactions include balance checking, account transfers, payments, purchases, etc. Transactions can be done at anytime and anywhere. See Figure 16.9

Some of the latest mobile banking applications even have a cash withdrawal menu. The menu will create a specific code that can be used instead of an ATM card to operate an ATM. However, this can only be done at a special ATM (ATM with no card service).

The WAP protocol installed on a mobile phone qualifies the device through an appropriate application for mobile session establishment with the bank’s website. In this way, the user has the option of permanent control over the account and remote management of his own finances.

Mobile Banking operations can be implemented in the following ways:

● contacting the call center.

● automatic IVR telephone service.

● using a mobile phone via SMS.

● WAP technology.

● Using smartphone applications.

Internet banking

Internet banking is a collective term for E-banking, online banking, virtual banking (operates only on the Internet with no physical branches), direct banks, web banking and remote banking.

Internet banking allows customers of a financial institution to conduct various financial transactions on a secure website operated by the banking institutions.

This is a very fast and convenient way of performing any banking transactions. It enables customers of a bank to conduct a wide range of financial transactions through its website. In fact, it is like a branch exclusively operating of an individual customer. The online banking system will typically connect to the core banking system operated by customers themselves (Self-service banking).

Advantages:

● The advantages of Internet banking are that the payments are made at the convenience of the account holder and are secured by user name and password. i.e. with Internet access it can be used from anywhere in the world and at any time.

● Any standard browser (e.g. Google Chrome) is adequate. Internet banking does not need installing any additional software.

● Apart from regular transactions, Internet banking portal provides complete control over all banking demands such as available balance, transaction statements, recent transactions, bill payment, blocking a card in case of theft or loss, information about other bank products like payment cards, deposits, loans etc.

Out of 7.7 billion world population roughly 3.2 billion have the Internet access. There by more than 50% of world population are accessed to Internet banking.

The following are the steps to transfer fund using net banking.

Step 1: Login to net banking account using unique user name and password provided by the bank earlier.

Step 2: Add the beneficiary as a payee to enable transfer of fund. The following details like Account Number, Name, IFSC about the beneficiary are to be filled in the ‘Add New Payee’ section.

Step 3: Once the beneficiary is added, choose RTGS / NEFT / IMPS as mode of Fund Transfer.

Step 4: Select the account to transfer money from, select the payee, enter the amount to be transfered and add remarks (optional).

Step 5: Click on submit.

Step 6: Enter the OTP received to mobile number linked to the corresponding account to complete the transaction.

Modern Electronic funds transfers are secured by a personal identification number (PIN), one -time password (OTP) etc. An automated clearing house (ACH) processes the payment then. See Figure 16.10

Indian Financial System Code (IFSC) is an 11 digit alpha -numeric code issued by Reserve Bank of India to uniquely identify individual bank’s branch in India. It is used for domestic e-payments. SWIFT code is used for international bank transactions.