Wifi Revolution

Utah- based America First Credit Union has signed an agreement with Firethorn Holdings to offer a mobile banking solution and e-payment service to its 432,000 members.

America First is set to go live with the mobile banking and payments during the first quarter of 2008, enabling its members to use their mobile device to pay bills, check balances, view history and transfer funds from their America First Credit Union accounts.

America First says the reason for selecting Firethorn for mobile banking service is because of its relationships with the nation's leading wireless carriers such as AT&T (News - Alert).

The precise reason, according to analysts, is the Firethorn’s application can be pre-loaded on AT&T mobile handsets and increase the likelihood of user adoption.

"After researching the mobile banking and payments market and our members' needs, we concluded that Firethorn's pre-loaded, single sign-on solution and CheckFree's proven expertise in electronic bill payments provided the best solution for our members," America First President and Chief Executive Officer Rick Craig said in a statement to the  press.

The Firethorn solution is customizable and branded, thus enabling America First to tailor the application to showcase specific products and services for its members. As the mobile banking solution will be embedded on the mobile device, wireless users will be able to easily locate the application and sign up.

"We are glad to welcome America First into our group of strategic partners. The credit union is showing itself to be a pioneer in the industry through its involvement with mobile banking and payments," said Tripp Rackley, Firethorn’s Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer in a statement.

Like other credit unions, analysts say, mobile banking and payments solution may allow America First to improve member retention, generate higher revenue, and enhance brand equity.

Firethorn’s partnership with CheckFree also seems to have played a part in America Credit choosing Firethorn for this service.

"We're pleased that America First members will soon be able to access the same CheckFree electronic billing and payment services through their Firethorn-enabled mobile devices," said Alex Hart, executive vice president and general manager of CheckFree Electronic Banking Services.

The Firethorn mobile banking and payments application is available on AT&T wireless handsets today and will be expanded to support multiple banks later this year.

"Every bank that is added to Firethorn's platform will provide additional choice and a richer experience for AT&T's 63.7 million customers," said Mark Collins, vice president, Consumer Data Products, AT&T's wireless unit.

 

 

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