From the irony files: Just in time for the collapse of the American banking industry comes mobile finance news, for those of you whose assets are still fluid.
Sprint Nextel Corp. has released free mobile banking software based on platform provider mFoundry, which will run on a variety of Web-enabled handsets, with the notable exclusion of Sprint’s iPhone-killer, the Instinct.
Those who have cast their lots with BB&T, Citibank, IBC Bank or PNC Bank can check balances, pay bills and find ATMs and branches with the software, which has been in development for more than a year. Other banks will be signed up soon, Sprint noted. Good thing the carrier didn’t partner with Washington Mutual, eh?
Meanwhile, Visa is quick to the Google Android open development game, announcing this week that it is developing an application for Android-based mobile devices, like the T-Mobile USA G1, that will let Chase Visa cardholders track account transactions and “receive relevant offers.” It will be up and running by the end of the year and will be expanded to other Visa account types as time goes on.
Everyone needs a few “relevant offers.” How about a zero-interest balance transfer for that 32-percent-interest platinum card I’m carrying?
